Putin warns of population decline

BBC
May. 10, 2006

Russia's declining population is the biggest problem the nation faces today, President Vladimir Putin has said.

In an annual address to the nation, Mr Putin said falling birth rates and the rise in mortality made Russia's demographic situation "critical".

He also outlined a national programme to encourage women to have more children, pledging more state help.

Mr Putin also touched on a wide range of issues, including Russia's foreign policy, economy and the armed forces.

"The most serious problem in modern Russia is demography," Mr Putin said in his seventh state of the nation address.

He said Russia's population had witnessed an annual decline of 700,000 people, because of low birth rates, high mortality and immigration.

He pledged an increase in childcare benefits to support young mothers, especially those who had a second child.

Russia's population is currently estimated to be just under 143m people.












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