Demographic challenges and socio-economic development of Russia and Japan

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the demographic challenges affecting the socioeconomic development of Russia and Japan. Based on Rosstat data and academic sources, the article identifies key problems facing Russia: persistent depopulation, a low total fertility rate (1.42), an aging population, regional disparities, and the limited effectiveness of migration as a compensatory mechanism. The author provides a detailed assessment of current government support measures, such as maternity capital, benefits, and preferential mortgages, and demonstrates their insufficient effectiveness in overcoming the demographic crisis. The main idea is that current demographic policy suffers from an inaccurate identification of the problems and causes of low fertility, which are not only financial but also socio-psychological in nature, requiring strategic adjustments. Japan, a country that has long struggled with a demographic and socio-economic crisis but has not yet achieved complete success, is used as an example.