The causes of the decrease in the population of the Russian Federation following World War II

Previously secret data sources are used to analyze demographic trends in Russia following World War II. The author first notes that the high levels of excess mortality in both the civilian and military populations between 1941 and 1945 caused major demographic disruptions. An initial increase in fertility in 1946 was followed by a decline in 1947 due to famine and fertility continued to fluctuate in subsequent years due primarily to food shortages. Registered deaths from starvation in 1947 exceeded 400000 and there were many more deaths that were not registered. The economically active population declined from 56.7% before the war to 31.5% after the war and its composition became more female. Communicable diseases continued as a major cause of infant mortality throughout the 1940s.