As of 2006, there are an estimated 6.5 billion people on the planet and by 2012 this number will reach 7 billion. for decades,alarmists have warned of an overpopulated world with insufficient resources and, indeed, this threat remains. It is ironic, then, that for more developed countries the main demographic challenge is not overpopulation, but a declining one. Though the reasons for falling birth rates very from country to country, all countries with declining populations face similar social and economic consequences.
Russia and 16 other countries that were formerly a part of the Sovite Union have seen their populations shrink over the past decade. As of 2004, there are 5 million fewer Russians on the planet than in 1992,and the numbers continue to drop by 700,000-800,000 each year. In addition to health-care issues, Moscow-based journalist Oleg Glebov claims the overall state of depression following the break up of the Sovite Union is a key factor in the declining populations.