Largest country on the planet

With over 17 million square kilometres Russia is the largest country in the world. The country is almost twice the size of each of the next countries on the list - Canada, China, and the US.

Population decrease of Russia

From 2020 to 2100 the population of Russia will decline by 20 million people from 146 to 126 million. Russia is currently the 9th most populous country in the world but by 2030 it will have dropped to 10th place overtaken by Mexico. By 2050, Russia will be 15th and by 2100 22nd with 126 million people.

A rare breed

Russia and Japan are the only two countries in the top ten most populous countries where the population will decrease towards 2030. 

Low fertility

The main explanation for the declining Russian population is the low fertility rate of 1.78 children per woman. This is well below the threshold of 2.1 to maintain a stable population size. 

Life span

The life expectancy is 64.7 years for men and 77.3 years for women. The average life expectancy of 70.5 years is ranked 110th globally behind countries such as North Korea and Bangladesh.

Short lived Russian males

The male life expectancy of less than 65 years for men is 127th worldwide. The difference of 12.6 years between male and female life expectancy is the largest in the world.

Major cities in Russia

Moscow is the largest city in Russia with 12.4 million people followed by Saint Petersburg with 5.3 million people.

Economy of Russia

Russia is the 12th largest economy in the world measured by nominal GDP and the 6th largest measured in terms of purchasing power parity. In terms of purchasing power per capita Russia is number 48 in the world with an average of approximately $28,000.

Back in the USSR

In 1990, the Soviet Union (USSR) was the world's second largest economy after the US (and the largest army). Following the ending of the Soviet Union in 1991, twelve independent republics emerged, including Russia.

The working population of Russia

The Russian labor force of 75.4 million people mainly work in the service sector (62.7 percent). 27.5 percent work in the industrial sector and 9.8 percent in agriculture.

Main export goods

The main export goods of Russia are Petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, metals, wood and wood products, chemicals, and food products including wheat.

Environmental Footprint of the Russian population

Russia has an ecological footprint of 5.69 global hectares per capita meaning that we would need 3.3 planet Earths if the entire global population consumed the same amount of natural resources as the average Russian. In comparison, if everyone lived like the average American, it would require more than 5 planets to support us.

Earth Overshoot Day

The ecological overshoot day of a country is the date on which we would run out of natural resources if all of humanity consumed like the people in a particular country. For Russia it falls on 19 April.