Russia’s population is declining by about 700,000 people every year, and is projected to fall to 109 million by 2050, from 139 million today. More than 1.25 million Russians have emigrated in the past 10 years, many giving financial hardship and inflation as their primary reasons for leaving. According to a recent Russian opinion poll, 40 percent of Russians ages 18-25 want to emigrate for better opportunities outside Russia. Compounding the security implications of the population drop, Russians are abandoning Siberia and border areas with China and resettling in Moscow where there are more opportunities.