Ageing population worry for Russia

Photo / APN

The nation's ageing population could plummet by more than 20 million in the next 40 years, the Standard & Poor's ratings agency predicted in a survey of global demographic trends.

The population is projected to fall to 116 million by 2050 through a low birth rate. President Dmitry Medvedev in December called Russia's falling population a serious threat.

He has tried to tempt Russians to give birth with cash payments to mothers and tax allowances for large families.