Demographics of Russia

Key characteristics

Russia's demographic profile is shaped by several interrelated features: urban concentration, an aging age structure, a fertility rate below the replacement level, and regional disparities between the densely populated European west and the vast, thinly populated Asian east. Life expectancy and mortality patterns have fluctuated in recent decades and influence workforce size and public finances.

• Population distribution: Most inhabitants live in the western part of the country, with major urban centers such as Moscow and St. Petersburg accounting for a large share.
• Fertility and mortality: Birth rates have historically been below replacement (~2.1 children per woman), while mortality in working ages showed high levels during the 1990s before improving.
• Aging: The median age has risen, increasing pressure on pensions and health care systems.

Ethnic, linguistic and religious composition

Ethnic Russians form the majority of the population, making up roughly four‑fifths of residents; the remainder comprises many nationalities and indigenous peoples. Prominent minorities include Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Chuvash, Chechens and others. Russian is the lingua franca, while numerous regional languages are spoken. Religiously, the largest affiliation is with the Russian Orthodox tradition, alongside sizeable Muslim communities and other faiths and secular populations.

Historical trends and migration

Since the late 20th century Russia experienced a demographic decline after the Soviet era, driven by falling birth rates and higher mortality. In the 2000s and 2010s policy measures, economic changes and migration from nearby states partially stabilized numbers. International and internal migration remain important: migrants from former Soviet republics and from Central Asia contribute to population growth in many regions, while internal movement concentrates people in metropolitan areas.

Implications and responses

The demographic situation affects labor supply, social spending and regional development. Governments have pursued measures to raise birth rates, support families, attract migrants and reform pension and health systems. Analysts emphasize the need for sustained public policy, economic opportunity and regional planning to address the combined challenges of aging, uneven population density and changing migration dynamics.