Russia's population shrank sharply last year

Russia's population fell by about half a million last year, a statistics agency has announced today.

While it has been argued that the sharp decrease was down to the coronavirus pandemic's impact on Russia, experts have added additional factors such as low birth rates and migration of younger people to other countries.

It is the first time the population has shrunk in the country in 15 years.

According to Russian sources, the current population figures are around 146.2 million.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Russia has had over 70,000 covid-related deaths, the 8th highest death rate in the world.

Despite these figures, President Putin has long called for more extensive population growth.

According to figures published earlier this month, the shrinkage in Russia reflects similar trends in both the UK and Poland.