Moscow: Russia`s population has fallen by 6.6
million since 1993, despite the influx of millions of
immigrants, a United Nations report said on Sunday, and by 2025
the country could lose a further 11 million people.
The result could be labour shortages, an ageing
population and slower economic growth, the UN said.
Recent Kremlin efforts to reward women for having more
babies have caused a surge in the birth rate, the report said,
but won`t make much difference in the long term.
It urged Russia to reduce its high mortality rate -
similar to that in parts of sub-Saharan Africa - through
reform of its public health system and by encouraging
lifestyle changes - especially a reduction in alcohol
consumption.
The United Nations Development Program report, titled
"Russia Facing Demographic Challenges," predicted that Russia
will be forced to adapt to a smaller population and work
force.
"Efforts to resist the unfavourable trends must be
combined with efforts to adapt to what cannot be resisted,"
the report says.
Bureau Report
