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Russia had the highest population count among the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, at an estimated 143 million in 2026, while the lowest figure was recorded in Moldova, at around 2.3 million. Between 2026 and 2031, the number of inhabitants was forecast to decrease in Russia, Belarus, and Moldova. The other members of the organization were expected to see their population grow. In total, roughly 252.5 million people resided in CIS countries in 2026.

Demographic trends across the CIS countries

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is set to experience population shifts in the coming years until 2029, with Russia maintaining its position as the most populous member. Uzbekistan is expected to see significant growth, with its number of residents increasing from 36.9 million in 2024 to 41 million in 2029. Furthermore, Uzbekistan had the fastest-growing population in the CIS in 2023, at 2.1 percent compared to the previous year, closely followed by Tajikistan. In contrast, Russia and Azerbaijan recorded population declines of about 0.3 percent. This is reflected in fertility rates, with Tajikistan boasting the highest number of births per woman in the region, at 3.6 in 2024.

Urbanization in the CIS and worldwide

Urbanization levels differ significantly across the CIS. Belarus leads with over 80 percent of its population living in urban areas in 2023, followed by Russia. To compare, on a global level, the urbanization rate stood at 57 percent in 2023, up 4.4 percentage points from a decade back. The highest rates were recorded in Northern America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Across Europe, three-quarters of the population resided in cities.