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Upward demographic trend continues in Russia – Putin

At the same time, the demographic problem remains one of the most acute, the premier observed

MOSCOW, January 20 (Itar-Tass) —— A upward demographic trend continues in Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at the Friday meeting of the federal government presidium.

“Judging by the latest statistic data, the effort of the government and the regional authorities has not been wasted,” he said.

“More than 1.7 million people died in Russia last year. The death rate declined by 5.6%, which was the best indicator in Russia in the past 19 years,” Putin said.

“The population decline shrank by 1.8 times, while the average lifespan in the country grew by 1.5 years to 70.3 years across the country. That is an indicator comparable with the European one,” Putin said.

“The infant mortality rate has also declined,” he said. “Including migration, the Russian population grew by 160,000 people to more than 143 million,” Putin said.

At the same time, the demographic problem remains one of the most acute, the premier observed.

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