Russia needs migrants to fill labour shortage — Kremlin spokesman

Russia’s dwindling workforce has made immigration essential for its development, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked in an interview published on Friday, November 22, 2024.

“Migration is a necessity,” Peskov told state-run RIA Novosti. “We face a challenging demographic situation. Russia is the largest country globally in terms of landmass, but our population numbers are relatively low.”

This comment comes shortly after Russia’s parliament approved a law targeting “child-free propaganda,” effectively banning individuals or organisations from promoting the idea of not having children.

The legislation aims to address the nation’s long-standing demographic challenges, which date back to the Soviet era and have worsened since the conflict in Ukraine.

Peskov stressed the importance of a robust labour force for the country’s progress. “Dynamic development and the implementation of all our development projects require a workforce,” he said, emphasising that the government welcomes migration.

Despite this stance, anti-migrant sentiment persists, particularly towards workers from Central Asian countries, who play vital roles in key industries.

In July, the Kremlin described the nation’s declining population as “disastrous for the future.” Efforts to reverse this trend, including financial incentives and housing benefits for families with multiple children, have not yet yielded significant results.

Demographic challenges have been compounded by a declining birth rate, a high death toll during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the exodus of hundreds of thousands of men avoiding conscription for the Ukraine war.

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