After the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Russia is facing a rapid population decline that is unlikely to be halted in the near future, even with attempts to boost birth rates.
This was reported on X by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The statement notes that on January 21, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin spoke at a meeting on the country’s demographic policy, attended by members of the Russian government, emphasizing that achieving results is a “key strategic goal facing Russia.” This followed Putin’s December 8, 2025, statement that “measures already taken in demographic development are insufficient,” as “negative trends persist, and birth rates continue to decline.”
Russia’s serious demographic problem—population aging and decline—has worsened significantly since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Causes include the emigration of around 1.3 million Russians, many of them young and educated, as well as significant war losses—currently estimated at approximately 1,225,000 Russian military casualties and injuries.
“Demographic problems and declining population present a long-term structural challenge for Russian society and its economy. The Russian leadership attempts to increase birth rates are highly unlikely to arrest Russia's declining population in the short term,” analysts conclude.
