In russia, 165 Villages Disappeared from the Map in the First 8 Months of 2026

The demographic crisis and the depopulation of regions in russia continue to gain momentum. In just under eight months of 2026, 165 abandoned settlements were officially dissolved in 26 russian regions.

novgorod (where, according to various sources, 21 to 35 villages were wiped off the map) and kostroma (21 to 23 settlements) regions led the way in terms of the rate of depopulation and the legal dissolution of villages.

Abandoned villages also disappeared from the maps in ryazan, vladimir, nizhny novgorod, novosibirsk, and kemerovo regions, as well as in the perm territory, karelia, and tatarstan.

Discrepancies in the statistics reported by local media and independent researchers stem from bureaucratic delays: regional laws on liquidation are passed quickly, while changes are entered into the all-russian registries with a delay. Nevertheless, the fact remains unchanged – russia’s rural areas are rapidly emptying out and dying out.

According to demographers’ estimates, the number of births in the rf in 2026 will decline for the 11th consecutive year.