UNDP | Europe & CIS | Russia Faces Mortality Crisis

Russia Faces Mortality Crisis

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Moscow, Russia, 30 April 2009-Russia's population may shrink by an additional 11 million people in the next 15 years, threatening its economic productivity a new report warns. The report, "Human Development Report: Russia Facing Demographic Challenges," also says Russia suffers from short life expectancy, low birth rates, a shrinking and aging population and a lack of clear immigration policies. These issues pose dramatic economic and social challenges for the country.

In the face of this demographic challenge, the report advocates two policy responses.

The first response calls for radically changing mortality rates, increasing life expectancy and decreasing causes of death by promoting a healthy lifestyle. The current life expectancy rate for men is 60 years of age (based on 2006 statistics), for women it is 73. In particular, cardiovascular disease is prevalent in relatively young age groups and especially among men. Overall, the share of deaths due to external causes in Russia is almost three times bigger than in the West.

The second policy response calls for adapting social services and institutions to the needs of the aging population.