http://disqus.com/people/strategytraining/enWed, 30 Jan 2008 09:16:36 -0000http://www.timothypost.com/2008/01/29/smart-move-russia-will-revalue-the-ruble/#comment-111471Russia's death rate is almost double its birth rate. There is no credible evidence that births will exceed deaths in 2 years. In fact, Russia still has one of the highest infant AND maternal mortality rates in Europe and the largest difference in ages of death between elderly men and women--more than 15 years. The UN has said Russia's children are "an endangered species" Instead of using a chunk of its $500 billion slush fund to address the crisis, HIV/AIDS, TB, alcoholism and on and on--it's spending billions on nanotechnology, not people. The data on birth/death rates isn't rocket science. You can only have children between certain ages. We know how many women there are in the 15-40 year old cohort, and how many men. We know the age men die here (around 60). We know the birth rate. The sad fact is that with all the glowing news about Russia, in a few decades more people will be leaving the workforce than entering it--there will be too few adults to do the work that needs to be done. What happens then when it dawns on all the fast money people whose stores, factories and car showrooms are empty? Russia and its leaders had lots of time to address what they continue to call a "demographic problem" but failed. China had a different problem. They dealt with it and it helped transformed their country.<br>Just like after World War 2, Russia will be a nation missing a generation. And you can't invent a generation by 2010.strategytrainingWed, 30 Jan 2008 09:16:36 -0000