Rising Mortality Rates Challenge Russia's Efforts To Kick-Start Population Growth

[TomSea]

Rising Mortality Rates Challenge Russia's Efforts To Kick-Start Population Growth

Every third region in Russia saw a spike in mortality rates in 2018, according to health officials, contributing to the country's first population decline in a decade and highlighting the challenges of fending off a protracted demographic crisis.

In a speech before Russia's parliament on April 3, Tatyana Golikova, the deputy prime minister responsible for social and health policy, urged regional authorities to help counter the trend.

"I should say the mortality rate rose in 32 regions in 2018. But I should also mention that the resources are there for the regions to lower mortality," she told deputies in Moscow.

Read more at: https://www.rferl.org/a/rising-mortality-rates-challenge-population-growth-decline-putin-demographics/29861882.html