A Population Increase in Russia for the First Time since 1995

and it's largely due to immigration. from countries of the former Soviet Union.

A 4% decline in mortality rate is credited with an assist.

Russia seeks to maintain a population of 145 million, but has difficulties with an abortion rate of 1.2 million compared to a birth rate of 1.4 million per year.

The performance of their own population keeps Russia below replacement rate.