Russia: the world's 3rd country with the largest number of migrants

Russia is the world's third country with the largest number of migrants, the first two being the USA and Germany, Russian Nationalities Minister Vladimir Zorin told journalists, citing results of the nationwide population census.

"Compared to the previous census, the number of migrants rose by some 6 million people, which is more than the same number for Europe," he said.

He described the country's situation as favorable for migrants. "People are coming here and this means our country is attractive from the point of view of wages and the general situation," he said.

Russia was eager to have migrants because its economy was developing and more manpower would be needed to double GDP as the Russian president had said, the minister explained.

Answering journalists' questions, Zorin said the State Duma was bound to simplify the naturalization procedure for compatriots resigning abroad.

"I think the parliament's lower house will discuss the issue during the fall session and make corresponding amendments to the law," he observed.

"Naturally we'll support everyone who wants to return to the Russian Federation by legal methods," he said, explaining that he applied the term "compatriots" not only to Russians but also Tatars, Chuvashes, Bashkirs, Russian Germans, Russian Koreans and many other nationalities.