Part 4/8:
Additionally, Russia’s economic landscape plays a critical role in the demographic decline. Despite being considered a superpower, the Soviet Union never achieved sustainable economic growth after the 1960s. Following the collapse of the Soviet state and the economic downturn in Ukraine, a pervasive sense of pessimism has taken hold in society. This economic instability discourages people from having children for fear of an uncertain future, further exacerbating the demographic crisis. With abortion rates soaring—estimates suggest as many as 70% of pregnancies end in termination—many Russians are opting against starting families altogether.