Demographic disaster: death/birth gap widens.

This article summarizes papers presented at a conference on the worsening of the demographic situation in Russia held in July, 1994. They find that "during 1993 alone the average life expectancy of men and women in the country decreased by 3.6 [to 59 years] and 2 years [to 72 years], respectively, and the difference between them for this index reached 13 years--for modern history, an unprecedented occurrence in peace time." It is also noted that the birth rate has declined significantly, mortality from injuries and poisoning has greatly increased, and the morbidity situation deteriorated. The article concludes that the total population is likely to fall by 9 million by the year 2005.