Russia's economy is on the abyss: Demographic disaster threatens!

The Russian economy is currently facing several challenges that are tightened by a combination of high inflation, international sanctions and massive losses in the military sector. As Merkur reports, indicates forecasts to a significantly lower economic growth in 2025. Experts fear that simultaneous demographic problems could also tighten the situation.

The demographic location in Russia is particularly alarming. Forecasts of US thinking factories, such as the Atlantic Council, indicate that the population could be halved by the end of the century. Even before the Ukraine War, Russia had to deal with significant demographic challenges. It is estimated that the country lost around 420,000 fighters in 2024, while high alcohol dependence between 150,000 and 200,000 deaths, mostly in men.

decline in the birth rate

In addition to the high death rates, Russia has to deal with a dramatically falling birth rate. In June 2024, the lowest number of live births has been recorded since 1999, with less than 100,000 births. The birth rate was 1.45 children per woman in 2024 and thus below the required level of 2.1 to keep the population stable. In response to this, the Kremlin started various initiatives to increase the birth rate, including a ban on propaganda for a childless lifestyle that was announced in November 2024

President Putin has also asked Russian women to get many children. It remains unclear how much he will prioritize this demographic crisis. Experts point out that the possibility of a continuing war against Ukraine could be seen as a main driver for economic growth in the future. Many analysts are concerned that Putin is ready to sacrifice everything for the war.

The demographic challenges are also reinforced by the effects of corona pandemic and the continued war, as countries-analyzes . In addition, the population of Russia was significantly impaired from 148.3 million in early 1991 to the present day, and the proportion of the employment population has decreased since the 2000s. It is estimated that demographic development could contribute significantly to the economic instability that the country is currently experiencing.

Overall, the situation is shaped by the increasing death rate, the decline in the birth rate and the government's desperate attempts to reverse these trends. The demographic and economic trends indicate that Russia is faced with a complex and profound crisis.