Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation has seen itsbirths plummet and its deaths increase sharply. Mortality increases havebeen particularly steep for working-age males and are often attributable toalcohol-related causes. Some analysts fear the Russian population coulddecline by nearly a third between now and 2050. In the short-term, Russiamay be better able to stabilize its population numbers by focusing more oncurbing mortality than increasing fertility. Past Soviet pronatalistincentives had only negligible long-term effects on the number of births.The types of health problems indicated by high Russian mortality rates pointto a greater need for preventive rather than curative care. In sum, thedemographic problems Russia faces indicate it may do better to focus onqualitative indicators, such as the health and welfare of its population,than on quantitative indicators, such as the overall size of its population.
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