Russian population continues to decline - censusDecember 16, 2011 - 13:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has lost 2.3 million people in nearly a decade, according to the official results of the county’s second post-Soviet census, released on Friday, December 16. Russia’s population declined from 145.2 million in 2002 to 142.9 million last year, the statistical agency, Rosstat, said. Low birthrates and declining life expectancy have had the most effect on Russia’s heartland rural areas, with 8,500 villages said to be have been abandoned since 2002. Of Russia’s 134,000 villages, 19,400 are now empty. The new data also suggests that there are now 10.7 million more women than there are men - up from 10 million in 2002. The population’s average age is now hovering around 39 years - again up from 37.7 in 2002. 80.9 percent of respondents identified themselves as Russians. The second largest ethnic group was Tatars (3.9 percent). Ukrainians (1.4 percent, down from 2 percent in 2002) were in third place, RIA Novosti reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |