Rosstat reported a 1.6% increase in the birth rate in Russia in December 2024

The birth rate in Russia in December 2024 increased by 1.6% compared to November last year, while the total mortality rate in the country decreased by 6.6% over the year. This is reported on February 21 on the website of Rosstat.

"Compared with November 2024, the birth rate increased by 1.6% in December. In the 12 months of 2024, there is a decrease in infant mortality by 6.6% compared to January-December 2023," the agency specifies.

Population growth was recorded, in particular, in Dagestan, Adygea, Chechnya, Crimea and Ingushetia. In addition, the data for December 2023 and 2024 indicated the maximum growth of birth rate in the Sakhalin region (+13.2%), Sevastopol (+11.6%) and the Pskov region (+10.5%).

"At the same time, there is a decrease in mortality over the same period in 68 regions of the country. Such data inspire cautious optimism in the current regional demographic agenda," said Dmitry Zhuravlev, scientific director of the Institute of Regional Problems, a member of the public council under Rosstat.

In total, according to the agency, 1,222,408 children were born in 2024, including 97,775 babies in December. Also in 2024, 880 thousand marriages were registered. The number of divorces for 12 months in the Russian Federation decreased by 5.7% compared to 2023. And in December compared to the same month last year, it decreased by 1.3%.

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Before that, on February 8, psychologist Stanislav Sambursky told why it has become more difficult for Russians to decide to have a child. According to him, young couples are most often afraid of change, they realize that after the birth of a child "will not be like before." They will have new duties and responsibility for a new life.

Earlier, on December 26, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that improving the demographic situation, supporting fertility and large families, and increasing the welfare of families is a priority national goal. According to him, in 2024, many efforts have been made to strengthen the public authority and high status of the family.

On December 19, Putin noted that the issue of demography is one of the key issues not only for Russia, but also for many other countries.