Fact Check: "Russia's GDP growth plummets from 5% to nearly zero!"
What We Know
The claim that "Russia's GDP growth plummets from 5% to nearly zero" is based on recent economic data and projections regarding Russia's GDP performance. As of April 2025, Russia's GDP was estimated to have increased by 1.9% compared to the same month in the previous year, marking a recovery from a significant downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic pressures (source-1). However, projections for the annual GDP growth rate for 2025 have been revised downwards, with estimates suggesting growth could be as low as 1.35% (source-1).
In contrast, the Russian economy is facing challenges such as high inflation, which is expected to remain around 4.7% for the year, and a significant budget deficit (source-1). The industrial output growth has also slowed, with reports indicating it fell to 0.2% year-on-year in February 2025, suggesting a cooling economy (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Russia's GDP growth has "plummeted" from 5% to nearly zero is partially true. While it is accurate that the GDP growth rate has significantly decreased from previous highs, the current growth rate is not as dire as "nearly zero." The latest figures indicate a growth rate of 1.9% year-on-year as of April 2025, which, while lower than previous years, still reflects positive growth (source-1).
Moreover, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a GDP growth of 1.5% for 2025, which aligns with the trend of declining growth but does not support the notion of a near-zero growth rate (source-4).
The term "plummets" may imply a more catastrophic decline than what the data suggests. Although industrial output growth has slowed dramatically, indicating economic stagnation in certain sectors, the overall GDP is still growing, albeit at a much slower pace than in previous years (source-2, source-3).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with data coming from recognized institutions such as Statista and the IMF, as well as expert analyses from economic briefs (source-1, source-2).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "Russia's GDP growth plummets from 5% to nearly zero" is Partially True. While there has been a significant decline in growth rates, the current GDP growth is still positive at 1.9% as of April 2025, and projections suggest it will remain above zero throughout the year. The language used in the claim may exaggerate the severity of the situation, as the economy is experiencing challenges but is not in a state of complete stagnation.
