The demographic situation in Russia is deteriorating further, with birth rates falling to a historic low.
Modern.az reports that demographer Aleksey Raksha stated this.
He noted that despite Vladimir Putin's calls for more children, abortion restrictions, and the policy of "traditional values," it has not been possible to increase the birth rate in the country.
According to the demographer's calculations, 272,000 babies were born in the first quarter of 2026 alone, which is 6 percent less than in the same period last year.
According to the expert, current figures are the lowest since the early 18th-19th centuries. The number of births decreased by 12.5 percent compared to the same period in pre-war 2021, and by 38 percent compared to the peak figures of 2014.
It is noted that Rosstat has stopped publishing a number of data on births, deaths, and population since 2025. According to the latest official data, the number of births in 2024 was 1.222 million. However, according to expert estimates, this figure decreased by another 4 percent in 2025 to 1.178 million and is considered the lowest in modern history.
In addition, the total fertility rate is also decreasing. Currently, the average number of children per woman is 1.418, which is approximately 20 percent lower than in 2015.
Experts believe that if the current trend continues, the demographic crisis in Russia will deepen further.
