MOSCOW, January 27, 2004 (RIA Novosti) -- Longevity is becoming a new social-demographic phenomenon in Russia, said a source at the working group for pensioners' social security under the Presidium of the State Council (a consultative body under the Russian president).
"The number of 85 year-olds and older in towns has increased by nearly 50% and in the rural areas -- by 36 %," said the source. People over 65 make up more than 63% of the elderly.
In 2000, there were 30.18 million people over the working age, including 26.9 million at the age of 60 and older, in Russia. At present, there are 29.61 million people over the working age.
