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Regional trends in Russia's crude birth, death and natural increase rates from 1897 to 1989 are discussed on the basis of a geographically standardized regional framework and within the context of the demographic transition theory. Data indicates an overall decline in fertility and mortality and hence crude rates in the northern region consequent to socio-economic development. The economically backward central and southern regions continued to maintain higher crude rates. The regional reversal in crude death rates from the mid-20th century marked an interim phase in demographic transition.

An analysis of the population census in 1989 and the estimated population of Russia in 1993 shows an increase in the number of declining towns. Most of the declining towns are in the industrialized Central and Northwest areas of Russia. Many large towns, mining towns and suburbs of Russia have declined. The decline is accompanied by an increase in the number of small industrial towns, especially those producing textile and forest products. The main reason for the decline is slowing down of urban process and economic conditions in former USSR and early post-Soviet Russia.

The regional and functional representation of the rapidly growing urban centers (RGUC) in the former USSR narrowed considerably from 1970-79 to 1979-89. The number of RUGCs, or settlements with a growth rate of 50% during the intercensal period and with annual growth rates of at least 4.1%, also dropped during this period. In 1970-79, most of RUGCs were located in Western USSR, but by 1979-89, however, the majority were found in Eastern USSR.

A study of the declining towns of the former USSR during the two intercensal periods of 1970 to 1979 and 1979 to 1987 reveals that the rate of decline during these two periods was much higher than that of 1959 to 1970. The Western regions had the maximum number of towns that experienced this high decline rate, in contrast to the previous decline, which occurred mainly in the Eastern regions. The declining towns were small coal-mining towns and towns which served as railroad junctions. People from these small towns migrated toward larger towns which had more industries.

Population characteristics of three major ethnic groups in the Russian city of Moscow are discussed. Factors such as nationality, age, sex and educational differences between ethnic Russians, Ukrainians and Jews are taken into consideration in the study. The study covers a period of 10 years, from 1979 to1989, and explores the variations which have taken place in the 32 rayons whichdivide the city.