Putin gave its forecast for GDP growth and inflation.

The Russian economy will complete 2008 6-percent growth, said Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. His words RIA Novosti. In doing so, according to Putin, real incomes increased by 7 percent and inflation at year-end will be 13.5 percent.
According to the Russian prime minister in the near future the number of unemployed Russians may increase, reported Interfax. In October 2008, work had lost 4.6 million, an 8 percent increase the rate of last year. "Unfortunately, in the coming months, the situation could escalate" - said Putin.
The drop in prices of minerals exported by Russia, including oil and metals, the assessment of Putin, could lead to a trade deficit country. Nevertheless, the fuel and energy complex remains stable. During January-September gas production in Russia grew by 2.5 per cent, while oil for the same period - fell by 0.5 percent.
The morning of 12 December, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia Andrei Klepach announced that the country's economy entered a recession. According to him, in 2008, GDP growth will be lower than previously expected 6.8 percent. In the last two quarters of the country's economy will decline as a technical indicator of recession.
In November 2008, consumer price inflation in Russia amounted to 0.8 per cent, and since the beginning of the year inflation stood at 12.5 percent. Ministry of Economic Development, expected to increase prices on the basis of years of 11.8 percent, 24 November, revised forecast, stating that in 2008 inflation slightly exceeds 13 percent. According to the official forecast of the Central Bank of Russia, consumer prices in 2008 will grow by 13 percent.