Soviet famine of 1946–1947

Lore & Background

The famine of 1946–1947 was the third major famine in the Soviet Union, following those of 1921–1922 and 1930–1933. It was triggered by the infrastructural damage and population loss from World War II, which killed over 25 million people and disrupted agriculture, especially in western regions. The return of demobilized troops caused a baby boom, with births rising from 15.9 per 1,000 in 1945 to 24.9 in 1946, straining already scarce food supplies. A severe drought in 1946, described as the worst since 1891, led to a poor harvest, while the Soviet government raised food prices and reduced eligibility for ration cards, making food unaffordable for many.

Reader's Guide

The Soviet famine of 1946–1947 is significant as the last major famine in Soviet and Russian history, yet it was largely overshadowed in Soviet historiography by the earlier 1930–1933 famine, only receiving notable attention from the 1990s onward. Its legacy includes very high child mortality, with many children orphaned or abandoned. The government's refusal to seek international assistance and its continued food exports during the crisis reflected ideological priorities over humanitarian needs. The famine declined after the reasonably successful harvest of 1947, and mass starvation disappeared by early 1948. In response, the Soviet government adopted the Great Plan for the Transformation of Nature in late 1948.

Did You Know?

• The famine peaked in early 1947 and declined over the course of that year.
• The Soviet government continued exporting food during the famine and declined to seek international assistance.
• Child mortality was notably very high during this famine.
• The drought of 1946 was described as the most severe since 1891.