A Real Threat to the Nation's Future

Abstract

In the past few years, the population's declining birth rate, rising death rate, and reduced life expectancy have worsened precipitously. The catastrophic demographic situation exacerbates the problem of children's deteriorating health, making it an issue of top national priority. Almost half as many children were born in Russia in 1993-94 as in 1987. The natural population loss in the country has just about reached the 1 million mark. Given the sharp decline in the birth rate, the quality of children's health and the safeguarding of their lives are particularly urgent.