MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - Russia's population fell to 142.8 million, a drop of 675,100 or 0.47% in the first 11 months of the year, the Federal State Statistics Service said on Monday.

The population decline was 683,400 or 0.47% in the first 11 months of 2004.

The rate of natural decrease (deaths minus births) widened 54,700 to 770,800 in January-November. Immigration compensated for only 12.4% of the natural decrease.

In January-November 2005, there were1,341,400 births in Russia (compared with 1,379,700 the year before), and 2,112,200 million deaths (2,095,800).

The birth rate declined in 79 Russian regions and the death rate increased in 60 regions in the period.

Some 160,900 people took up residence in Russia in January-November 2005 (106,300 a year ago), and 65,200 took residence abroad (73,600). The migration surplus was 95,700, compared to 32,700 the year ago.