Vladimir Putin’s terms in office. The bottom line

May 08, 2008 – Kommersant – The population of the Russian Federation decreased by 4.88 mln people. It amounted to 146.89 mln (January 1, 2000), and dropped to 142.01 (January 1, 2008). Occupying the 6th place in the world 2000, Russia sunk to the 8th position 2008. At that, the natural loss fell from 929.6 to 477.7 people per annum.

From 1999-2007 an average monthly salary grew 9 times (from 1522.6 roubles to 13.518 roubles), pensions – 7 times (from 521.5 roubles to 3682.3 roubles). The number of Russians on the bboks of labor registry offices remained the same (1.791.800 and 1.774.500 correspondingly).

According to the IMF data, the Russian GDP boosted 6 times in current terms (from $195.91 bln 1999 – the 23th place in the world, – to $1289.58 bln 2007 – the 11th place). Russia is now the world leader in producing oil. The mining increased from 305 mln tons to 490.7 tons annually, and as to gas, – from 592 bln to 651 bln m2. The volume of agricultural production grew 3 times (from 611.9 bln roubles to 2017.2 roubles), the volume of house-building got twice as high (from 32 mln m2 to 60.4 mln m2). Exports grew 5 times (from $75.6 bln to $355.5 bln), and imports – 6 times (from $39.5 bln to $223.4).

The state budget surged 10 times becoming a surplus one, incomes went up from 615.53 bln roubles to 6644.45 bln roubles, and public spending – from 666.93 bln roubles to 6570.3 bln roubles. The oil and gas sector used to account for 5.6% of the GDP, whereas now it amounts to 6.8%. Gold and exchange currency reserves soared 40 times (from $12.456 bln on January 1, 2000 to $534,422 bln on May 1, 2008), which allowed Russia to occupy the 3rd place in the world. A Stability Fund was set up in Russia ($162.52 on May 1, 2008). The state foreign debt decreased 3 times (from $158.4 bln to $44,1 bln). Overall inflation from 2000-2007 was 131% (the 22nd place in the world).

The bureaucratic apparatus grew 150%: 1999 there were 397.240 executive officials in Russia, and 2007 – 655.790. At the same time Russia lost 30 positions in the Heritage Foundation economic liberty rating (it fell from the 104th place to the 134th one), and 61 positions in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (dropping from the 82nd place to the 143rd one).

The number of registered crimes grew from 3 mln 1999 to 3.58 mln 2007. Though there are less people in jail now (1.06 mln on January 1, 2000 compared with 891.7 on April 1, 2008). The incarceration rate in Russia is only lower than that in the United States, occupying the 1st place.