Russia's population can increase in 2020-2025 - labor minister
NOVO-OGARYOVO (Moscow region). Feb 27 (Interfax) - Labor Minister Maxim Topilin said Russia's population could increase to 150 million people instead of the projected 145 million in 2020-2025.
"According to our calculations, we can exceed the projected figure of 145 million by 2020-2025, reaching 147 million people, or, according to optimistic predictions, even 150 million people," Topilin said at the meeting of the presidential council on the implementation of priority projects and demographic policy held in Novo-Ogaryovo on Tuesday.
The minister said this result can be achieved if the birth rate stays at its current rate and if the death rate declines.
Putin said: "The [population] decrease, although insignificant, still remains."
The labor minister said he believes it is possible to reduce the natural population decrease to zero.
