The Russian Federation is recording a rapid increase in the revenue of the funeral business, an industry that, despite the overall economic stagnation, is showing steady growth. According to the National Security and Defence Council’s Disinformation Counteraction Centre, in the first four months of 2025 alone, Russian funeral services earned about 40 billion rubles (over $500 million), which is 12.7% more than in the same period last year.
These data, backed by official statistics from Rosstat, which recorded a 4.5% increase in overall mortality, reflect the effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has been going on since 2022, as well as the deepening domestic socio-economic crisis.
The CPA emphasises that the growth in profits of the funeral business is not accidental. It is directly related to the heavy combat losses of the Russian army and the deterioration of the healthcare system, which has been destabilised by military spending, personnel outflows and Western sanctions policy.
“Russia’s losses in the war against Ukraine are only growing every year. Mortality in the country is no longer just a demographic challenge, but a consequence of the state policy of aggression and decline,” the CPJ said in a statement.
Analysts also point out that funeral companies are among the few industries in Russia that are showing financial growth, while other sectors of the economy are facing a decline and outflow of investment.
