Russia’s Population Down 695,000 In January-October

MOSCOW. Dec 22 (Interfax) – Russia’s population shrank by 694,700, or 0.5%, to 144.3 million during the period between January- October 2003, the country’s State Statistics Committee has said.

The population’s loss due to death and various other natural factors stood at 725,300 in the first ten months of the year, which is 36,100 less than over the same period last year. The migration flows declined, compensating for a mere 4.2% of the population reduction.