ABSTRACT
The Republic of Karelia and Finland are two countries connected by geoI graphical proximity, ethnic features and the traditions of the local populaI tion. At the same time, the countries are in different socioeconomic condiI tions. The consequences of these differences on the life of the population are reflected in demographic indexes. The life expectancy of the people has decreased in Russian Karelia during the 1990’s, while it has increased in Finnish Karelia. In 1990 life expectancy in the Republic of Karelia was 69.3 years and in North Karelia in Finland 71.5 years, the difference being 2.2 years. In 1996 the difference was 11.5 years; the mean in Karelia being 64.2 years and in North Karelia 75.7 years.
