Quote Originally Posted by Hanna View Post
Do you see this as a real and serious problem or are the politicians exaggerating it?
Yes, it's very serious.

Should the politicians try to do something about it; if so what?
Or should they focus on improving living standards of everyone, so that people feel more positive about having children..
Do you think that this problem has occurred in Russia because of problems that are unique to Russia's recent history, or is it happening for the same reason as in many Western European countries (financial reasons, womens' career considerations... general decline of marriage....)
It's for the same reason as for the rest of the European people - emansipation, women and people in general become more selfish, they want to 'live for themself, why to live for children?'

when did this trend start, and has there been any improvement...?
It has started right after the WWII baby boom I guess. There is a slight improvement lately but it's only comparing to demographic pit in 90s, the general trend still exists.

Is this very different depending on which part of the country you are in?
It's only different at the Caucasus there people still live by the barbaric tribal (mostly Muslim) customs and culture. The rest of the country populated by ethnic Russians is dying.