As many frequent readers of the Russian media would attest, retrieving accurate data pertaining to any sensitive topic can prove difficult.  It is thus reassuring to see that Russia has agreed to hold its census next year, at a cost of 10.5 billion rubles, after initial hesitation due to apparent lack of funds.  Indeed, this commentator suggests that whilst the census may go ahead, it will be ‘less comprehensive and less accurate’ than many would wish.  Murray Feshbach at RFE/RL argues that a census would allow the country to seriously tackle the issues of demographic
decline, its manifest HIV and TB problems, and form policies on how to accommodate its ethnic and religious
minorities.  Feshbach suggests census-phobia is a long-standing Russia pathology.  Perhaps ignorance is bliss after all?

The lack-of-money plea seemed even more unconvincing considering the record of past Soviet and Russian governments in delaying or even canceling censuses. In 1937, a census was conducted, processed, tabulated, and presented to Josef Stalin. He didn’t like what he saw, so he jailed many of those who carried it out and covered up the results. Apparently, the demographic depredations caused by famine, purges, and collectivization were too severe to be made public.

The 2002 census was harshly criticized, particularly for
the nationality data it included. The report was questioned by
ethnographer Valery Tishkov, demographer Anatoly Vishnevsky, and others
for purported inaccuracies relating to the numbers of Chechens,
Russians, and other nationalities. The government in Moscow needs
accurate information in this area in order to formulate its
nationalities policies.

Another issue of potential concern is the number of Muslims in Russia.
Recently, the mufti of the Moscow area issued a report claiming that
there are some 2 million people of Muslim origin in the capital, about
one-fifth of the city’s entire population. He used the figure to argue
that there is a severe shortage of mosques in the city.

Overall death rates in Russia have risen to at least three times the rates in Western Europe and North America.
Even Russia’s total population is open to doubt. Some observers have
disputed the official figure of 142 million, arguing that the real
figure is 139.8 million or, in one estimate, 137.8 million. Some
analysts suspect the census could reveal dismal birthrate, death-rate,
and migration figures.

Read the whole article here.

Last 5 posts by Robert Amsterdam

• Energy Blast - Nov 25, 2009 - November 25th, 2009
• Today in Russian Business - Nov 25, 2009 - November 25th, 2009
• RA's Daily Russian News Blast - Nov 25, 2009 - November 25th, 2009
• Mr. Chávez's Neighborhood - November 24th, 2009
• Hermitage Defense Team Under Attack following Death Threats - November 24th, 2009