From 1992 through 2001, Russia lost more than 7 million people as a result of natural population loss or, with the positive migration balance taken into account, 4.7 million. These statistics show that the size of Russia's population is diminishing steadily. This article reports the findings of a study examining the factors that account for the decline in the percentage of children in Russia. These factors include low birthrate and the high rate of infant mortality. The report also reveals that there is a decline of health among Russian people--the greatest losses were to be seen among children and adolescents. The study also reveals three negative circumstances of the youth that need to be addressed by the government: (1) There are 2 million children of school age who are not going to school; (2) Tuition-charging education is becoming more widespread on all levels, and for the population today it adds up to one-third of all spending for these services; (3) According to statistics about 1 million children are not able to obtain a standard education owing to their health condition and so they have to attend special schools or classes, be schooled at home, or not get any schooling at all; and (4) Experts believe that 10 percent of all youngsters who enroll in school are not able to learn the school program in full. Based on the findings of the study, the authors of the study suggest three main priorities that the government must address: (1) The health of children and young people; (2) Active efforts to prevent narcotics abuse; and (3) The erection of a powerful barrier to the spread of minor adolescents who are not going to school, lack of supervision, and homelessness. (Contains 1 table and 1 note.)