2021 Russian census

2021 Russian census
Марианна Данькова / Росстат · Public domain · source
Name	2021 Russian census
Previous	2010
Next	2030
Country	Russian Federation
Population	147,182,123
Region type	federal subject
Most populous	Moscow
Least populous	Nenets Autonomous Okrug

2021 Russian census was a major demographic survey conducted across the Russian Federation. It was the first census held since the 2014 annexation of Crimea and followed the 2010 Russian census. The exercise was organized by the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) under the provisions of the Federal Law "On the All-Russian Population Census".

Background and preparation

Planning for the enumeration began several years in advance, with Rosstat developing new digital methodologies. A significant pilot test, the 2018 Russian census trial, was conducted in certain regions including Republic of Tatarstan and Moscow Oblast. The process was delayed from its original 2020 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, with President Vladimir Putin officially postponing it by decree. Preparations involved coordinating with regional authorities across all federal subjects and training hundreds of thousands of census takers.

Conduct of the census

The primary data collection period ran from October 15 to November 14, 2021. For the first time, citizens could complete the questionnaire online via the Portal of Public Services. Enumerators visited households across the country, using tablet computers to record responses. In remote areas such as the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Kamchatka Krai, officials employed alternative methods including aerial surveys. The census also covered the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol for the first time since their accession.

Population results

The final count recorded a resident population of 147,182,123, indicating a decline since the previous enumeration. Moscow remained the largest city, followed by Saint Petersburg and Novosibirsk. Significant regional population decreases were noted in the Siberian Federal District and the Far Eastern Federal District, while the Central Federal District and the North Caucasian Federal District showed relative stability or growth. The data revealed ongoing trends of urbanization and migration towards major economic centers like Moscow Oblast and Krasnodar Krai.

Ethnic composition

The census collected data on ethnicity and native language, with respondents self-identifying. The Russian ethnic group remained the largest, though its share of the total population continued a gradual decline. Notable increases were reported among populations in the North Caucasus, including the Chechen, Avar, and Dargin peoples. The results for groups such as the Tatar, Bashkir, and Chuvash showed varied trends. Information on languages highlighted the status of tongues like Tuvan in the Tuva Republic and Ossetian in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania.

Criticism and controversies

The census faced scrutiny over its methodology and political implications. Some demographers from institutions like the Higher School of Economics questioned the accuracy of the digital self-enumeration process. There were reports of undercounting in vast regions such as the Republic of Sakha and among nomadic communities in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Controversy also surrounded the classification of certain groups, including the Crimean Tatars in Crimea and the Pomors in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. International observers, including representatives from the United Nations Statistical Commission, noted challenges in ensuring complete coverage.

International reactions

The incorporation of data from Crimea and Sevastopol was condemned by several governments, including those of Ukraine, the United States, and the European Union, which stated it violated International law. The United Nations noted the census technically but did not endorse the territorial implications. Statistical agencies in neighboring countries like Kazakhstan and Belarus acknowledged the results for comparative demographic studies. Organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank utilize the dataset for economic analyses, while academic institutions like University of Oxford have engaged with the findings for research on the Post-Soviet states.

Category:Censuses in Russia Category:2021 in Russia Category:2021 censuses