Japa: Russia Opens Doors to Migrants Amid Workforce Shortage

Russia is grappling with a severe demographic decline that threatens its economic and developmental ambitions.

To counter the shrinking workforce, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need for migrants in a recent interview with state news agency RIA Novosti.

“We have a tense demographic situation. We live in the largest country in the world, but there aren’t that many of us,” Peskov stated.

He stated that migration is essential for maintaining dynamic development and executing major projects.

The fertility rate in Russia is just 1.41 births per woman, far below the 2.0 replacement rate.

In the first nine months of 2024, only 920,200 babies were born—a 3.4% drop from the previous year, marking the lowest birth numbers since the 1990s.

High Covid-19 mortality, significant emigration—including military draft evasion—and economic strain have compounded the crisis. In July 2024, the Kremlin labeled the demographic situation “disastrous for the future of the nation.”

Russia has implemented family incentives, such as generous payouts and housing subsidies, while recently banning “child-free propaganda” to encourage population growth.

Despite anti-migrant sentiment, particularly targeting laborers from Central Asia, the Kremlin has openly welcomed migrants to mitigate the labor shortage.

Migrants currently fill essential roles in various sectors of the economy. However, balancing this necessity with societal attitudes remains a challenge.

The demographic challenges facing Russia are deeply rooted, dating back to the Soviet era, but they have intensified in recent years due to geopolitical and public health crises.

Without effective intervention, the country’s economic and developmental aspirations could face long-term setbacks.

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