Russia - Emerging Power

• Population: 144 million
• Over 200 ethnic groups
• Ageing population: 20 - 54yrs = 45% of the population, which means increased healthcare costs as they get older
• Life expectancy = 70.8 years
• Spend 5.4% of GDP on their military
• Annexed (invaded and took over) Ukraine in 2014 to increase their sphere of influence
• Still have one year’s compulsory military conscription
• 5000 nuclear missiles
• Ally to president of Syria, Bashar Al Assad, who continues to fight and kill his people forcing millions to migrate
• GDP growth = 1.4%
• 1998 - 2008 economy grew by 7% due to huge global oil sales
• Produces 12% of world’s oil and largest natural gas exporter
• Service sector = 60% of GDP and employs 63% of national workforce
• 2008 world crash meant crashing oil prices to lost main revenue stream
• 2014 economic sanctions imposed by SUA and UN for getting involved in Syrian war, causing millions to migrate across Europe, damaged economy further
• Currently: economy in recession and very reliant on exporting oil and gas
• Main strategy is hard power military strength
• Presidential federation = president Putin has final say on a lot of issues
• President elected on a majority vote but elections rigged/fixed every time
• Six year term, one of the longest in the world giving president lots of time to run the country how he wants