New measures to raise living standards include the expansion of emergency aid network and clinics for heart diseases, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says.
Photo: Mikhail Razuvaev
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Russian Govt Unveils New Demographic Policy
Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday presented the concept for the national demographic policy for a period ending in 2025. Officials are expecting that the country’s population will grow by this time to reach 145 million due to better living standards and migration. Still, the government plans to keep a cap on a foreign labor force influx – between 160,000 and 300,000 people a year.
Russian population decreases by 2 million people every year with infant mortality at 10 out of 1,000, according to official statistics. The average age in Russia is 66.
Under the circumstances, Russia’s population may shrink 27 million people, down to 115 million by 2025. A more optimistic forecast sees a population growth by 2025 to 145 million.
The concept demographic policy incorporates social programs, including benefits for young families and children, higher expenditures on healthcare, sports and campaigns against smoking and alcohol abuse.
The Health national project is to be the centerpiece of the strategy. Among new measures are the expansion of emergency aid network and more clinics for treating heart diseases, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday. As a big incentive for big families, the government promises benefits in mortgages. Neither the schedule for the program, nor its funding has not been named.
The concept mentions an influx of migrants as a force that could solve the problem. “Demography is the key issue for Russia,” says Kostroma Region Governor Viktor Shershunov. “We may improve our economic indicators, but what’s the point in it if there is nobody to live in regions?”
Russia expects to admit between 160,000 and 300,000 foreigners every year. But demography experts argue that only the annual influx of up to 700,000 migrants could make a difference. But the housing issue and a recent outbreak of hate crimes impedes the process. What is more, democratic parties predict that nationalist rhetoric will be a hot ticket at the upcoming parliamentary election.
“We need to be very careful solving the demography issue with the help of migrants if we want to retain our national identity,” says deputy head of the Federal Migration Service Vyacheslav Postavnin.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 24, 2007
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