Russia funds IVF baby boom to battle population slump Russia has seen its population fall during much of the period since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Its current population of 146 million is predicted to fall by 4 to 12 million by 2035. President Putin has rolled out a number of policies aimed at encouraging people to have babies. Since 2013, the IVF procedure has largely been state-funded under a compulsory health insurance scheme. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES