Indeed I noticed a strange phenomenon in Russia over all the birth rates ARE growing 12 1 in 2008 vs 12 4 in 2009 11 5 in 2007 vs 12 1 in 2008 at the end of each of those years they went down slightly 12 5 12 4 in 2009 for example I ll have to research this more to really see why this is But if I had to say now I d say it is because of the New Year and Orthodox Christmas as well as Muslim Kurban Bairam celebrations November December January is when everyone is celebrating and partying Not a lot of people are conceiving during this time