Russia’s Demographics: Preservation of the able-bodied population as a socio-economic challenge
According to the Federal State Statistics Service, Russia’s population decreased by 510,000 people in 2020, which is the highest level seen in the last 15 years. Given the high mortality rate in 2020 due to the pandemic, life expectancy decreased among the country’s population. Objective demographic trends show that a further decline in the Russian population will occur in the next few years. Reducing mortality along with measures to stabilize the birth rate are key goals that can reverse the negative trend and ensure population growth by 2030. In this context, the excessively high mortality rate among working age men is a particularly acute problem. What strategies do the Russian government need to develop to overcome the aftermath of the pandemic and ensure the stability of demographic processes? What factors contribute to high mortality rates and how can they be managed? What comprehensive solutions are needed to reduce infant mortality? What factors contribute to the excessively high mortality rate among working age men and what measures can help to mitigate these factors? How can we reverse the trend of people dying at a younger age from socially significant diseases that are primary causes of death? How do we shift the emphasis in the healthcare system towards prevention and the early diagnosis of diseases that cause high mortality rates among young people and in early adulthood? What public policy measures should motivate society to lead a healthy lifestyle and take proper care of their health as an effective measure to curb the spread of serious life-threatening diseases?