New Eastern Europe Issue 1

82
Opinion and Analysis Agata Wierzbowska-Miazga, From the Cradle to the Grave
births there were 58.7 abortions, which suggests that many as 40% of all pregnancies
were aborted. Until 2007, the number of abortions was higher than the
number of births, and that’s according to offi cial statistics. Apart from registered
abortions in state institutions, abortions are also performed underground. Th e
World Health Organisation estimates that abortions have a substantial impact
on Russia’s demographics. Th eir impact
The effects of the negative population
growth rate in Russia are offset by
the inflow of immigrants.
translates both into a decreased birth
rate and negative health consequences
observed among women who undergo the
surgery. It is estimated that as a result of
early pregnancy termination, about 8% of
women become permanently infertile. Th e state does not intend to strengthen
abortion regulations and the surgery remains a procedure available at the request
of the patient, covered by social insurance. However, there are public awareness
campaigns that show women the dangers of abortion, both physical and mental.
In July 2011, an act was signed into law by President Medvedev, which mandates
advertisements of abortion clinic ads, just like in the case of tobacco and alcohol
ads, to allow 10% of the advertising space for warnings that abortion may
cause infertility.
Come the immigrants
Th e eff ects of the negative population growth rate in Russia are off set by a positive
migration rate. Starting in 2007, the rate of migration remains at 1.8 per 1000
inhabitants. According to offi cial statistics, 2.8 million people immigrated to Russia
in 2009, mainly from the countries of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Ukraine
and Vietnam. Konstantin Kosachov, the chair of the parliamentary committee
for international aff airs, presented a forecast during the EU-Russia Dialogue on
Migration. During the summit in Nizhny Novgorod, Kosachov declared that Russia
would need 20 million new immigrants through 2025 and 50 million through
2050. For decades to come, Russia will probably remain an attractive destination
for migrants from neighbouring states.
However, the fl ow of migrants, even those who are legal, is not always welcomed.
Th e government fears it might contribute to considerable changes in
the ethnic structure of the state. Th e ethnicity data from the recent census will
not be published until 2012. Most likely, they will show a signifi cant rise in immigrants
from the Caucasus, the region which leads in birth rates. Th e proof
of this is a 6% increase in population numbers (the highest in Dagestan: 15.6%)
recorded for the eight year period between both censuses. Russian society is