The birth rate is down in the US, but it is even more down in China, much of Europe, Japan, and ESPECIALLY DOWN in RUSSIA.
At least US is a country where people want to come to seek work and a future. Russia is a country where around 1% of the population has fled in the past 2 years. Mostly young, educated men, especially in the past year. Is there any population that wants to move to and stay in Russia voluntarily?
I heard an interview from one man in his late 30s who is now in one of the Stan countries. At first he was lonely, then he decided to try to meet others like himself. His group of about 450 folks from Russia now meet regularly, and are helping each other to adjust to their new circumstances. He says in his experience about 5% of these emigrated Russians go home because they decide it would be better for them. Another 5% go home because of serious family obligations. Thus he believes that 90% of these Russians will not be returning unless there are major changes in Russia.
When asked what might attract him to return, he said no more Putin or dictatorial government, and correction of related issues. Finally he said Russia would have to become a country where most people have EMPATHY, a quality he feel is severely lacking.
They've never had that. Just go back to all the Russian Tsars. After that, the Soviets. The only decent one was Gorbachev.