MOSCOW. May 22 (Interfax) - Russia's population was an estimated 141.9 million on April 1, down by 46,900 from the beginning of 2009, the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) said.

The population declined by 80,900 in the first quarter of 2008, 118,000 in Q1 2007 and 200,800 in Q1 2006.

The population declined in Q1 2009 due to natural loss of 104,500, which was still 34,900 lower than in the same period of last year. Higher migration growth offset population decline by 55.1%.

Russia registered 421,900 births in Q1 2009, up from 406,900 in Q1 2008; and 526,400 deaths, down from 546,300 a year previously.