Country Profile: Russia

Russia, the largest country in the world, stretches across North Asia and Eastern Europe, featuring a diverse landscape ranging from tundras and steppes to vast forests. With a population of over 140 million, it is characterized by a complex social fabric, predominantly ethnic Russians, along with significant groups of Tatars and Ukrainians. The economy is heavily reliant on natural resources, particularly oil and gas; however, political challenges and international sanctions have hampered growth and investment. Governed as a semi-presidential federation, Russia has seen a consolidation of power under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin since 2000.

Geography

Located in North Asia, Russia extends from Eastern Europe to the North Pacific Ocean, encompassing a vast area that accounts for approximately 1.8 times the size of the United States. The terrain features broad plains, mountainous regions, extensive forests, and a range of climatic conditions. The country also has numerous natural resources, although its size and climate present challenges for their extraction.

Total Area: 17,098,242 sq km
Highest Point: Gora El'brus at 5,642 m, the tallest peak in Europe.
Major Lakes: Lake Baikal, the world's deepest freshwater lake at 31,500 sq km.
Major Rivers: The Volga River, measuring 3,645 km in length.
Natural Resources: Home to major deposits of oil and natural gas, significant coal reserves, and numerous strategic minerals.

People and Society

With a population of approximately 140 million as of 2025, Russia's demographics include a majority of ethnic Russians, along with various ethnic minorities including Tatars and Ukrainians. The country has a high literacy rate of 99.9% and a median age of 42.3 years. Rapid urbanization has led to 75.3% of the population residing in urban areas, primarily in cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Life Expectancy: 72.3 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 8.27 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death Rate: 13.93 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population Growth Rate: -0.49% (2025 est.)
Urban Population: 75.3% of total population (2023)

Economy

Russia's economy, rich in natural resources, has made it a leading energy exporter, particularly to Europe and Asia. The nation's GDP has shown fluctuations, with a notable increase in the real GDP expected to reach $6.089 trillion by 2024. However, the economy faces challenges including corruption, the effects of international sanctions, and a reliance on fossil fuels.

GDP: $2.174 trillion (2024 est. at official exchange rate)
GDP Growth Rate: 4.3% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.6% (2024 est.)
Labor Force: 72.517 million (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 12.1% of the population below the national poverty line (2020 est.)

Government

Russia operates as a semi-presidential federation with a complex structure of governance including various administrative divisions. The President holds significant power, having been in office since May 2012. The legislative body consists of a bicameral Federal Assembly, and the country has undergone significant political changes post-Soviet Union.

Capital: Moscow
Government Type: Semi-presidential federation
Chief of State: President Vladimir Putin
Legal System: Civil law system
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years old

Military and Security

The Russian Armed Forces, comprising several branches including the Ground Forces and Aerospace Forces, are among the largest in the world. Military expenditures have notably increased, reflecting the nation's focus on defense and military capabilities in response to various geopolitical tensions.

Military Expenditure: 7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Personnel: Estimated 1.1-1.2 million in Armed Forces
Nuclear Armed Forces: Includes 36 operational nuclear reactors (2025)
Military Deployments: Approximately 600,000 personnel in Ukraine (2025)

Energy

Russia is a global leader in energy production, particularly in fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. The country continues to expand its energy infrastructure, ensuring extensive energy access across urban and rural areas.

Electricity Access: 100% total population (2022 est.)
Oil Production: 10.879 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 613.447 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Coal Production: 531.13 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

Russia faces significant environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and soil erosion. The country is involved in various international environmental agreements to address these pressing issues.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 1.844 billion metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 0.11% annual increase (2020-25 est.)
Municipal Waste Generation: 60 million tons annually (2024 est.)

Transportation

The vast transportation network of Russia includes extensive railways, civil aviation, and maritime services. The country is invested in modernizing its infrastructure to improve connectivity.

Airports: 905 (2025)
Railways: Total length of 85,494 km
Merchant Marine: 2,910 vessels (2023)

Communications

Russia boasts a highly developed communication infrastructure, with nearly 92% of the population having internet access as of 2023. The nation also has a diverse media landscape, mostly controlled by the state.

Fixed-line Telephones: 20,816,300 subscriptions (2023)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 270 million (2024)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	140,134,279 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	17,098,242 sq km	Total area
GDP	$2.174 trillion (2024 est.)	Official exchange rate
Energy Consumption	224.858 million Btu/person (2023 est.)	Per capita energy consumption
Birth Rate	8.27 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Birth rate
Unemployment Rate	2.6% (2024 est.)	Percent of labor force seeking employment
Life Expectancy	72.3 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy at birth
Military Expenditure	7% of GDP (2024 est.)	Military spending
Electric Access	100% (2022 est.)	Access to electricity
Urban Population	75.3% (2023)	Urban populace percentage