First-level divisions of Russia: population and official figures

Russia is divided into 83 first-level divisions. The largest by population is Moskva with 13,210,600 people (9.2% of the total); the smallest is Nenetskiy Okrug with 41,900. Population figures are World Bank estimates from its Subnational Population database, which ends in 2016; the country's own statistics office publishes later figures.

Who governs Russia's first-level divisions?

Federal subjects – regions, republics, krais, federal cities (89 claimed by Russia, including Crimea and four regions of Ukraine whose annexation the UN General Assembly does not recognise): Governor (head) directly elected in most regions; regional legislature directly elected. Regional laws, budgets, health, education, regional police co-ordination. Governors can now discipline and remove local administration heads in some cases.

How local power works in Russia · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide

All 83 first-level divisions, largest first

Cities: the largest cities of Russia.

More on Russia: official statistics · government and power · local power

Sources

• World Bank: Subnational Population database (World Bank DataBank source 50), SP.POP.TOTL, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b835583e3a28…)

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