Aaron O'Neill
Research lead for society, economy, and politics: Europe & global
Get in touch with us nowDeath rate in the BRICS countries 2022
Russia has consistently had the highest crude death rate of any of the BRICS countries since 2000. However, this is not because Russia has the lowest living standards in the bloc, but rather the opposite. When compared with the other BRICS countries Russia has the highest level of human development with oldest population and the lowest birth rates; this results in very low population growth, and death rates per capita are much higher. Additionally, widespread alcohol and substance abuse, alongside unhealthy lifestyles, did increase Russia's death rate in the 2000s, particularly among men.
For the other three countries, death rates have been much more consistent since 2000, due to their progression through the demographic transition.
South Africa
South Africa, on the other hand, has the lowest level of demographic development, which is the reason it has the second highest death rate. In the early 2000s especially, death rates rose due to the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the south of the continent, although living standards have improved significantly, and the death rate has dropped as a result.For the other three countries, death rates have been much more consistent since 2000, due to their progression through the demographic transition.
