Russia’s population rose by 85,600 since the beginning of 2012 year, reaching 143.1 million as of July 1, according to the Federal Statistics Service.
Such growth depends to a large extent on immigration, which compensated for the natural losses of the population, exceeding them by 150.3 percent.
Natural population growth in the first half of the current year was recorded in 33 out of 83 Russian regions, as it is said in the report.
Previously, the government said the country’s population could grow to 146 million by 2025, mainly as a result of immigration.
Russia has the world’s eighth largest population. The nation has suffered a sufficient decline in population after the Soviet era, mainly due to rising death rates in males. Now the Russia's government calls the population program a national priority.
Author: Julia Alieva