AP Photo

 A few miles after the tiny Russian hamlet of Molodoshkovo the unpaved road ends in a muddy path. Though it has only four inhabitants ― three of whom are over 75 ― there are 11 houses in Molodoshkovo. There are also the remains of several more.

From Portugal to Japan, demographic stagnation is a familiar story of developed countries, but relentless rural depopulation is particularly acute in Russia. The region of Pskov, home of Molodoshkovo, is one of the areas most affected.