Quick facts
Russia population overview
Russia is the most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 143,560,333 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.2% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 904 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,220,263 births (8.5 per 1,000 people) and 1,866,284 deaths (13 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 330,189 people. The infant mortality rate is 3.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 119,897,000 in 1960 to 143,513,328 in 2025 — a change of +19.7%, or +0.3% per year on average. It peaked at 148,538,197 in 1992 and has declined 3.5% since.
Demographically, the median age is 40.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 73.7 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17% of residents are under 15 and 17.8% are 65 or older (2025); 75.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Moscow. Russia covers 17,125,190 km², giving a population density of about 8.4 people per km². GDP was $2.56T in 2025 — about $17,847 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Russia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 143,297,015 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 143,560,333 |
| World rank | #9 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #1 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 1.7% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 1,220,263 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,866,284 |
| Net migration per year est. | +330,189 |
| Birth rate | 8.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 13 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 86.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 40.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 73.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 75.3% |
| Surface area 2023 | 17,125,190 km² |
| Population density | 8.4 per km² |
| Capital | Moscow |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $2.56T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $17,847 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Russia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 143,297,015 | – | – |
| 2025 | 143,513,328 | -156,320 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 143,669,648 | -156,482 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 143,826,130 | -410,803 | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 144,236,933 | -509,829 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 144,746,762 | -498,386 | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 145,245,148 | +604,432 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 144,640,716 | +1,791,248 | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 142,849,468 | -669,346 | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 143,518,814 | -3,078,055 | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 146,596,869 | -1,778,918 | -0.2% |
| 1995 | 148,375,787 | +406,381 | +0.1% |
| 1990 | 147,969,406 | +4,111,406 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 143,858,000 | +4,848,000 | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 139,010,000 | +4,810,000 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 134,200,000 | +3,796,000 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 130,404,000 | +3,659,000 | +0.6% |
| 1965 | 126,745,000 | +6,848,000 | +1.1% |
| 1960 | 119,897,000 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Russian Federation
Population over time
- From 119,897,000 in 1960 to 143,297,015 today — up 19.5%.
- Population peaked at 148,538,197 in 1992 and is down 3.5% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.4 years (2024), up 5.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.4 births vs 12.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 4 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 17% of the population is under 15 and 17.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 2,009.2 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 2,436.3 Mt in 1990 — down 17.5% since.
- Per person: 13.98 t in 2024, vs 9.98 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 5,498.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 7.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 3.5% of final energy in 2021 (-0.3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 49.8% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 49.4% to 49.8% since 1992 — roughly 72,613 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 75.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 54.1% in 1960 (+21.1 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 29,895 m³ in 2022, up 3% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $2.56T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 87.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $17,847 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.1% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 8.7% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 94.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 186.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Russian Federation in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Russia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Russia has an estimated population of 143,297,015. The United Nations estimated 143,560,333 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Russia growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.2% per year — roughly 904 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 1,220,263 births and 1,866,284 deaths, with net migration of +330,189.
What is the population density of Russia?
About 8.4 people per square kilometre: 143,297,015 people living on 17,125,190 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Russia?
The median age is 40.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73.7 years. 17% of the population is under 15 and 17.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Russia rank by population?
Russia is the 9th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 1st in Europe, with 1.7% of the global population.
How has the population of Russia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 119,897,000; by 2025 it had grown to 143,513,328 (+19.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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EgyptSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.