Population Comparison: Siberia vs Russia

While Siberia covers about 77 percent of Russia's land area, it holds a relatively small share of the country's population. According to recent estimates, Siberia's population is around 20 million, about 14 percent of Russia's total population of about 143 million.

Current Population Statistics

As of the 2021 estimates, Siberia's population has grown to approximately 31 million people. This is represented in the chart below. In contrast, the population of Moscow is about 12.5 million, and the population of St. Petersburg is around 5.4 million.

This highlights a significant difference in population distribution, with Siberia having a larger population than either Moscow or St. Petersburg. Despite this, it is important to note that Siberia is a vast region, encompassing about 77 percent of Russia's total landmass, while Moscow and St. Petersburg are significant cities but not as extensive in area as Siberia.

Additionally, the Siberian Federal District, located in the central part of Siberia, has a population of approximately 17 million. This adds another layer to the understanding of population distribution within Siberia, making it clear that the term 'Siberia' is not a single administrative region but a vast geographical area encompassing multiple subjects.

Official vs. Presidential Figures

It is impossible to provide an unambiguous figure for the population of Siberia due to the lack of exact data. The most official statistics suggest that about 26 percent of Russia's population lives in Siberia, which amounts to around 37 million people. However, it is worth noting that the President recently stated that there are 14 million people in Siberia. This may suggest that he has access to more accurate or recent information, which is not reflected in the officially published numbers.

Geographical and Demographic Breakdown

Siberia is a vast geographical region in Russia, situated east of the Ural Mountains, extending all the way to the Pacific Ocean. It is a non-official name and does not correspond to a single administrative district within the Russian Federation. The population of Siberia is about 37 million, which represents roughly a quarter of Russia's total population of 146 million. This comparison is further emphasized by the populations of metropolitan Moscow (about 12.7 million) and metro St. Petersburg (about 5.6 million).

One key point to consider is that Siberia is less densely populated than the European part of Russia. This is due to its vast land area and the harsh climatic conditions in many regions, which can limit the inhabitable areas and therefore the population density.

Conclusion

The population of Siberia, while substantial, is significantly less than the total population of Russia. However, it is a region with considerable significance, covering a vast majority of the country's land area. Understanding the population distribution can provide valuable insights into the economic, social, and environmental factors that shape life in this expansive region.