Historical chart and dataset showing total population for Russia by year from 1950 to 2025.

The total population in Russia was estimated at 146.2 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Russia Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Due to the devastating impact of the Second World War on the Soviet population, the total population in 1950 was almost 15.5 million fewer than in 1940, which is a decrease of eight percent. In Russia (RSFSR), the largest of the Soviet states, the population difference was almost nine million people; also eight percent. It would take until 1955 for the populations of either the USSR or Russia to reach their pre-war levels, which was a decade after the conflict had ended. Urbanization Despite this drop in total population, industrialization and urbanization saw a significant change in the USSR's population distribution between the given years. The Soviet urban population increased by 6.3 million, or ten percent, between 1940 and 1950; 5.8 million of this was in Russia, which was a 15 percent increase. In contrast, the Soviet Union's rural population dropped by 21.8 million (a 17 percent change), 14.5 million of which in Russia (a decrease of 20 percent). In terms of overall population, the urban population of the USSR rose from 33 to 39 percent between 1940 and 1950, and from 34 to 43 percent in Russia. By 1955, 44 percent of the Soviet population, and 49 percent of the Russian population, lived in an urban setting.

In Soviet Russia (RSFSR) in 1939 and 1959, ethnic Russians made up the largest share of the total population, with a share of approximately 83 percent. Tatars were the second largest ethnic group, followed by Ukrainians. Russians were consistently the largest ethnic group in the Soviet Union as a whole, with an overall share of 53 percent in 1979.

Russia Population: 100 Years and Older data was reported at 17,580.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 15,703.000 Person for 2016. Russia Population: 100 Years and Older data is updated yearly, averaging 7,993.000 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17,580.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 5,814.000 Person in 1997. Russia Population: 100 Years and Older data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Demographic and Labour Market – Table RU.GA005: Population: by Age: 0 to 100 Years.

Russian estimates suggest that the total population of the Soviet Union in 1941 was 195.4 million people, before it fell to 170.5 million in 1946 due to the devastation of the Second World War. Not only did the USSR's population fall as a consequence of the war, but fertility and birth rates also dropped due to the disruption. Hypothetical estimates suggest that, had the war not happened and had fertility rates remained on their pre-war trajectory, then the USSR's population in 1946 would have been 39 million higher than in reality. Gender differences When it comes to gender differences, the Soviet male population fell from 94 million in 1941, to 74 million in 1946, and the female population fell from 102 to 96 million. While the male and female population fell by 19 and 5.5 million respectively, hypothetical estimates suggest that both populations would have grown by seven million each had there been no war. In actual figures, adult males saw the largest change in population due to the war, as a drop of 18 to 21 percent was observed across the three age groups. In contrast, the adult female population actually grew between 1941 and 1946, although the population under 16 years fell by a number similar to that observed in the male population due to the war's impact on fertility.

Population, total in Russia was reported at 143533851 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Population, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 65-69, male (% of male population) in Russia was reported at 5.0341 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Population ages 65-69, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Historical chart and dataset showing Russia population density by year from 1992 to 2022.

Key information about Russia population

• The Russia population reached 146.0 million people in Dec 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 146.2 million people in Dec 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 148.6 million people in Dec 1992 and a record low of 101.4 million people in Dec 1949

• In the latest reports, Russia Unemployment Rate remained the same at 2.4 % in Jul 2024
• Monthly earnings of the Russia population was 900.8 USD in Oct 2024
• Russia Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 68.4 % in Feb 2024

Population ages 0-14, male (% of male population) in Russia was reported at 19.12 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Population ages 0-14, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The Second World War had a profound impact on gender ratios within the Soviet Union's population, and its effect on different age groups varied greatly. The Soviet population structure had already been shaped heavily by the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the famines of the early 1920s and early 1930s. The impact of these events on mortality and fertility meant that, in 1941, the generations whose births corresponded with these events had a lower population than would be expected on a typical population model. For example, in 1941, those aged between 5 and 9 had a significantly lower population than those aged 10 to 14, due to the effects of the Soviet famine of 1932-1933. Additionally, women outnumbered men in all age groups except the very youngest, due to the disproportionate effect of conflict and infant mortality on male populations. Impact of WWII In order to observe the impact of the war, one must compare populations of specific age groups in 1941 with the following age group in 1946. For men of "fighting age" in 1941, i.e. those aged between 15 and 44, these populations experience the most substantial decrease over the course of the war. For example, there are 5.6 million men aged 15-19 in 1941, but just 3.5 million aged 20-24 in 1946, giving a decrease of 38 percent. This decrease of almost forty percent can be observed until the 45-49 group, where the difference is 25 percent. Additionally, women aged between 15 and 34 saw a disproportionate decrease in their populations over this period, as many enlisted in the army and took an active part in the conflict, most notably as medics, snipers, and pilots.

The war's impact on fertility and child mortality meant that, in 1946, the total population under four years old was less than half its size in 1941. Generally, variations between age groups then fluctuated in line with pre-war patterns, however the overall ratio of women to men increased further after the war. For all age groups over 20 years, the number of men decreased between these years, whereas all women's age groups over 30 years saw an increase; this meant that, despite the war, women over 30 had a higher life expectancy in 1946.

This line chart displays male population (people) by date using the aggregation sum in Russia. The data is about countries per year.

Population ages 65 and above, male in Russia was reported at 8360431 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Population ages 65 and above, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Russia Population: Male: Age 20 to 24: 20 Years data was reported at 690,175.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 669,051.000 Person for 2017. Russia Population: Male: Age 20 to 24: 20 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 1,086,332.000 Person from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2018, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,304,486.000 Person in 2003 and a record low of 669,051.000 Person in 2017. Russia Population: Male: Age 20 to 24: 20 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Demographic and Labour Market – Table RU.GA006: Population: by Age: 0 to 100 Years: Male.

Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union had relatively similar total populations. The U.S.' population grew from around 205 million to almost 250 million people between 1970 and 1990, while the USSR's population grew from around 240 to 290 million in this time. In these years, the Soviet Union had the third largest population in the world, and the U.S. had the fourth largest (behind China and India respectively). Despite their similar sizes, these populations differed in terms of distribution as the U.S.' population was approximately three quarters urban in this period, whereas the Soviet Union's urban population was just 56 percent in 1970 and 66 percent in 1989. Additionally, the Soviet Union's population was much younger than that of the U.S. due to a higher birth rate and lower life expectancy.

Population ages 25-29, male (% of male population) in Russia was reported at 5.5034 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Population ages 25-29, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

This line chart displays birth rate (per 1,000 people) by date using the aggregation average, weighted by population in Russia. The data is about countries per year.

The gap between the number of women and men in Russia was measured at approximately 10.3 million as of January 1, 2024, with the female population of the country historically outnumbering the male population. Both genders saw a decrease in inhabitants compared to the previous year. Why are there more women than men in Russia? One of the factors explaining gender imbalance in modern Russia is the gap in average life expectancy between the genders. In 2022, Russian women outlived men by around 10 years. In particular, working-age men were six times more likely to die from external causes of death, such as accidents and suicides, compared to working age women in that year. Furthermore, partial mobilization announced as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war resulted in a mass exodus of young men fleeing from conscription. In response to the government’s call to recruit up to 300,000 reservists in end-September 2022, Google search interest in the term "How to leave Russia" increased sharply. Gender imbalance and its consequences for Russia In Russia, the labor market remains highly segregated by gender. Manual jobs in equipment operation, metal industry, manufacturing, and mechanics are male dominated. The labor shortage in these spheres could limit the country’s potential for increased industrial production. Furthermore, fewer men exacerbate the issue of falling births in Russia. In 2023, only 1.26 million births were recorded nationwide, the lowest over the past decade. Coupled with a decreasing number of working-age men, such a decline in live births could lead to less innovation, a larger share of retired people, and rising government expenditure on pensions and healthcare.

Rural population (% of total population) in Russia was reported at 24.45 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.