Non-Russians in the Russian Federation are increasing their share of the country’s population despite decreasing in absolute numbers because the decline in the number of ethnic Russians is far greater. This proportional increase reflects higher fertility rates among non-Russians than among ethnic Russians and is exacerbated by the influx of non-Russian immigrants at a time when ethnic Russian immigration has dropped to almost zero. The Kremlin has tried to reverse this trend by promoting a pro-natalist policy, Russifying non-Russians, and reducing immigration. Moscow hopes to conceal the issue by ending the publication of key demographic data, but these steps have been ineffective or counterproductive.
Non-Russians Increasing Their Share of Russia’s Population – Jamestown
