Russia's population fell by 611,000 during the first 10 months of this year while the divorce rate rose rapidly, government statistics indicated Monday, cited by the Interfax agency.
Around 510,000 divorces were registered in Russia this year, a 19.9 percent increase over last year, the statistics showed.
The Russian population now stands at 144.99 million. Russia has lost 2.8 million residents, or about two percent of its population, over the past eight years.
The sharp fall is attributed to poor public health services and a growing incidence of alcoholism.
And statistics point to a continued decline.
By 2015 Russia's population is set to fall by a further 11 million, from 145 million people to 134 million.
There have been mounting concerns in Russia over the effects of falling population on the country's economic and military ambitions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the demographic change threatens the "survival of the nation" -- MOSCOW (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
