Russia and Eastern Europe

Recent demographic trends in Russia have caused widespread concern. Russia has experienced unusually high death rates from nonnatural causes, many related to alcoholism. Life expectancy, especially among working-age males, has dropped precipitously. The Russian fertility rate has declined to among the world's lowest, while its abortion rate is among the highest. Similar precipitous drops in fertility have occurred elsewhere in Eastern Europe.

• Our work on Russia examined these trends, analyzed their origins and likely causes, and explored their implications for Russia's future.
• A related article explores the demographic changes that have occurred in Eastern Europe.

See publications on this topic.