Part 3/13:
Despite efforts by Vladimir Putin to reverse these declines—such as offering financial incentives to encourage childbirth—these measures have hardly made a dent. Meanwhile, death rates remain stubbornly high, especially among men, due to causes like alcoholism, accidents, and preventable health issues. As a result, Russia’s population continues shrinking at a rapid pace, with the natural decline alone causing the population to decrease by nearly 119,000 in just the first two months of 2025.