Russia: PopulationJulian Brahimy, Juliet Eldred, Cindy Lin, Ian PersaudPeriod 4

Where are the people?

● Population is highly concentrated in the Western, European section of the country

● A large part of the land is uninhabited or very sparsely populated

● Capital City Moscow is in the Western Section (Population 12 million)

● St. Petersburg has population of 5 million● 12 cities have 1 million+ population

Moscow population over time

Statistics

● 8.4 people per square mile● 74% Urban, 26% Rural● Population growth rate: .23%● Median age: 39.3

○ males: 36.5, females: 41.8● At birth: 1.05 males for every female● total population: .86 male/female● average life expectancy: 66.4 Males:60.13

Females:73.18● 5.1% of GDP is used for Healthcare ● Unemployment: 18.3%

Demographics

Religion: Russian Orthodox: 15-20% Muslim:10-15% Other Christians:2%Population: 142,500,482 (9th in world)Ethnicity: >80% ethnically RussianBirth Rate: 12.3 births/1000 populationDeath Rate: 14.1 deaths/1000 population Migrant Rate: 0.29/1000 populationBiggest Cities: Moscow (10 million), St. Petersburg (4.5 million)Large Areas of Siberia remain uninhabitedWorld War II: 25 million casualties

Education

● Similar to US system● Primary, Secondary, and then Higher education.● Start at age 6 and end at age 17.

-schooling b/w these years is compulsory-finals, equivalent to regents in secondary

school-also state examinations and curriculums.

● Subjects include: Russian, Foreign Language, Literature, Maths, Sciences, etc. Religion is separate.

Decline in Population

● Current population: 142 million● Shrinking by 700,000 people per year● Death rate is double the average of

developed countries● Life expectancy of males is 60 years

○ Rampant alcoholism ○ HIV/AIDS

● Government under Putin has offered child support and financial incentives to reverse trend

Consequences of declining population

● Greater dependence on immigrants to replace the losses in the Russian population○ Due to high levels of nationalism in Russia,

immigrants who are not ethnically Russian/have Russian background are not welcomed

● Further weakens the already weak economy○ Unable to maintain industry, agriculture, or military

● Decreased morale among the public

Transition from a command economy to a market economy

Command Economy vs. Market Economy

● Command Economy - An economy controlled and operated by the central government; Assets are nationalized

● Market Economy - An economy controlled by various market forces based on supply and demand

● Shock therapy took place through a series of radical reforms to transform the economy from a command economy to a market economy.○ People who profited as a result: oligarchs○ People who did not profit as much: ordinary

Russians

Urbanization

Rural Lifestyle:● Rural population is more likely to suffer from poverty,

alcoholism ● Population is decreasing rapidly from the general

decline trend, and urban migration● Stereotypical "Russians" live in the rural areas

Rural areas have become desolate due to urbanization● better jobs and more opportunities● most people live within 40km of a city● many rural areas have been abandoned and contain

very few inhabitants http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKAAEkf1MbU

Immigration / Emigration

● Second largest immigrant population (second to the U.S.)

● Recent influx of immigrants from Central Asia and China; primarily low-skilled migrant workers

● Most have come to Russia illegally ● Estimated to generate 8% of GDP, but are

treated with hostility○ 40% feel “irritation, discomfort or fear” towards

migrants from Central Asia and Azerbaijan○ 667 racially-motivated attacks in 2008

Problems with Immigration

Economic crisis● Jobs are becoming increasingly scarce and employers

are withholding money from immigrant workers for work already completed

Ban of Russian Adoptions● Putin signed a bill in December 2012 prohibiting

Americans from adopting Russian children; does not want Russia to be seen as "uncaring" about its children○ has increased anti-American sentiments

Wanted but not welcomed: Migrant Workers

● Russia has second largest immigrant population (to USA)

● Migrant workers come from bordering countries, previously part of Soviet Union -Ex: Tajikistan, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia

● Poverty is striking, opposition to immigrant laborers mounts, making their lives terrible.

● CORRUPTION: the police confiscate and harass these people, stealing gifts, money, clothing, and documents

● Similar to, but worse off than the immigrant workers of the USA

Immigration: Russia vs. UK

Russia● Racist nationalists

dissatisfied with foreign immigrants○ Central Asia

● Immigrants make up substantial part of Russian population

United Kingdom● Racist nationalists

dissatisfied with foreign immigrants○ Muslims

● Immigrants make up very small percentage of overall population