Country explorer: Russia
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Russia is a vast, upper-middle-income country in Europe with a large population. Its economy has grown rapidly in recent decades, and is based on energy, agriculture and technology.
Russia has been at [war with Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_War) since it annexed Crimea in 2014 and began supporting separatists in the Donbas region. The war escalated substantially in 2022, leading to [international sanctions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_sanctions_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War) against Russia.
Economy
Russia's economy, distinct in its significant reliance on natural resources, has navigated through fluctuating periods of growth and challenges, characterized by an increase in GDP per capita, notable dynamics in poverty thresholds, a generally declining unemployment rate, and fluctuating inflation rates that underscore its unique post-Soviet transformation compared to its global peers.
Demographics
Russia has experienced a demographic decline marked by a reduced fertility rate, a complex pattern of net migration, and a gradual increase in life expectancy, reflecting trends of aging population and migration dynamics that diverge from many of its peers.
Basic needs
Russia has seen significant advancements in basic needs, particularly in increasing access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, and safely managed sanitation, though its progress in safely managed drinking water lags behind some advanced economies, reflecting a mixed but overall positive trajectory of infrastructural development and public health improvements.
Human development
Russia has experienced significant improvements in human development as evidenced by increases in the Human Development Index, reductions in child mortality rates, high literacy rates, and gains in average learning-adjusted years of schooling, mirroring trends in many upper-middle-income countries but with distinctive achievements in education quality and literacy.
Environment & energy
Russia has maintained a significant portion of the world's forest area, reflecting its distinction as a country with extensive natural resources, while also experiencing an increase in per capita CO₂ emissions, indicative of its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and industrial activities compared to a global shift towards renewable energy sources.
Technology & innovation
Russia has manifested a consistent growth in internet usage, a high rate of mobile phone subscriptions, moderate investment in research and development, and a notable increase in scientific publication, reflecting a gradual yet significant technological and innovative evolution comparable to global upper-middle-income countries.
Culture & society
Russia has experienced a gradual reduction in gender inequality, sustained low levels of immigrants compared to global averages, slightly fluctuating but generally moderate self-reported life satisfaction, and a steadily increasing age dependency ratio, reflecting global trends in improving women's rights, cautious immigration policies, stable societal contentment, and aging population challenges similar to other upper-middle-income countries.
Governance
Russia has experienced a decline in rule of law, increased perception of corruption, restricted political civil liberties, and reduced press freedom, setting it apart from Western countries and aligning closer with authoritarian regimes.