大西洋理事会的一份报告显示，俄罗斯正面临严重的人口危机，到本世纪末，俄罗斯人口可能会减少一半。该智库警告称，乌克兰持续不断的战争大大加速了俄罗斯长期以来的人口下降趋势。普京敦促俄罗斯妇女生育八个或更多孩子，并让大家庭成为“常态”。
Russia is grappling with a severe population crisis that could halve its population by the century's end, according to a dire report from the Atlantic Council. The think tank warns that the nation's long-standing demographic decline has been drastically accelerated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Thus, Vladimir Putin has urged Russian women to have eight or more children and make large families “the norm”.
The conflict has resulted in significant losses for Russian forces, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of casualties. This, combined with over a million Russians fleeing the country, has exacerbated an already dire situation. The war is effectively a demographic issue for Russia, fueling a population decline that threatens to cripple the economy.
A shrinking workforce, already evident in a record 5 million job vacancies, is hindering economic growth and forcing Russia to rely on unsustainable measures like migrant and prison labor. The Kremlin's apparent indifference to the crisis is alarming, with experts warning of dire consequences including decreased productivity and economic stagnation.
Unless Russia can drastically reverse its population decline through effective policies, the country faces a bleak future. The report suggests that immigration and territorial expansion could be the only viable solutions, highlighting the immense challenges facing the nation.
Key Population Decline Issues:
- Rapid population decline: Russia's population is projected to halve by the century's end.
- War-induced acceleration: The Ukraine war has significantly worsened the demographic crisis.
- Severe workforce shortage: A shrinking population is leading to a critical labor deficiency.
- Economic consequences: Population decline threatens economic growth, productivity, and overall prosperity.
- Government inaction: The Kremlin's apparent disregard for the crisis is a major concern.
