Since the end of the Soviet era, the population of Russia has fallen substantially. The October 2002 census made it possible to quantify this decrease and to examine the factors involved. Alain Blum and Cécile Lefèvre assess the situation and reflect upon the role of social policies. The upheavals of the last 15 years are the latest episode in a turbulent demographic history, and this is highlighted by the deep notches in the Russian population pyramid.