Ukraine oligarchs get key posts in bid for unity
Source: Associated Press
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) -- In a surprising move after Russia flexed its military might in the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine's new leadership has reached out to oligarchs for help - appointing them as governors in eastern regions where loyalties to Moscow are strong.
With their wealth, influence and self-interest in preventing further conflict, the oligarchs could be the key to calming tensions and maintaining Ukraine's control in areas where pro-Russian activists have stoked separatist tensions.
But the decision to appoint the country's richest men as regional administrators has its risks. Some believe the oligarchs, who have a history of manipulating governments, may become too entrenched in their new jobs and could use their posts for personal gain.
The unexpected move drew instant ire from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called one of the oligarchs, Ukraine's third-richest man, Ihor Kolomoisky, a "swindler."
Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_UKRAINE_OLIGARCHS_TO_THE_RESCUE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-03-07-04-11-31
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Primarily due to Putins policies. He offered $10,000 to women for the birth of a child. The people had a lot more sex due to this smart incentive. This was money from oil revenues by the way. So Europe deserves a small amount of praise for paying for it.
The demographics of Russia is about the demographic features of the population of the Russian Federation,[6] including population growth, population density, ethnic composition, education level, health, economic status and other aspects.
According to an official estimate for 1 January 2014, the population of Russia is 143,700,000.[7]
The population hit a historic peak at 148,689,000 in 1991, just before the breakup of the Soviet Union, but then began a decade-long decline, falling at a rate of about 0.5% per year due to declining birth rates, rising death rates and emigration.[8]
The decline slowed considerably in late 2000s, and in 2009 Russia recorded population growth for the first time in 15 years, adding 23,300 people.[9][10] Key reasons for the slow current population growth are improving health care, changing fertility patterns among younger women, falling emigration and steady influx of immigrants from the ex-USSR countries. In 2012, Russia's population increased by 292,400 people.[11]
As of 2013, Russian TFR of 1.72 children per woman[5] was the highest in Eastern, Southern and Central Europe. In 2013, Russia experienced the first natural population growth since 1990 at 22,700 people. Taking into account immigration, the population grew by 294,500 people.[12]
According to the 2010 census, ethnic Russian people make up 81% of the total population. This share remained steady over the last few decades.[13][14] Six other ethnicities have a population exceeding 1 million – Tatars (3.9%), Ukrainians (1.4%), Bashkir (1.1%), Chuvash (1%), Chechens (1%) and Armenians (0.9%). In total, 160 different ethnic groups live within the Russian Federation's borders.
Russia's population density is 8.4 people per square kilometre (22 per square mile), making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The population is most dense in the European part of the country, with milder climate, centering around Moscow and Saint Petersburg. 74% of the population is urban, making Russia a highly urbanized country.
