"Statistics are the chronicle of the city": Dmitry Maslo on Nizhny Novgorod in numbers

      August 15, 2026 08:01 Society In honor of the 805th anniversary of Nizhny Novgorod, the head of Nizhny Novgorod Statistics, Dmitry Maslo, suggests looking at the city from an unexpected perspective—through statistics. Behind every number are people, homes, enterprises, roads, travelers, and entire eras. In an interview with NIA "Nizhny Novgorod," he explained what statistical data can tell us about the past and present of the city and why seemingly dry numbers help us better understand its development.

      — Dmitry Vyacheslavovich, when you hear "City Day," what do you think of first: the holiday, concerts, and festivities, or the numbers—how many houses have been built, how many people have arrived, how many new enterprises have emerged?

      — For me, City Day is an opportunity to connect emotions and facts. To show how much lies behind the familiar beautiful streets and festive atmosphere. Statistics are a kind of chronicle of the city's development. They record not only major events and achievements but also daily changes that gradually make the city more comfortable for its residents.

      Nizhny Novgorod has been an important trading, industrial, and cultural center of the country for centuries. And at all times, accurate information was needed for its development: how many people live in the city, how much product is produced, how the flows of goods and services change. This data helped make decisions in the past and continues to help today.

      — You often hear: "The city is growing." But behind this phrase, real changes are not always visible. What does the statistics say about this?

      — The most interesting thing is to compare the numbers from different eras. According to the data from the Tax Charter of 1621-1622, Nizhny Novgorod had no more than five thousand residents. Two centuries later, in 1825, the population had grown to about 16 thousand. Today, Nizhny Novgorod is among the Russian cities with a population of over a million.

      Behind these numbers is a great story: the emergence of new districts, the creation of jobs, the development of infrastructure.

      One of the main pillars of the city's economy has always been industry. As of early 2026, nearly seven thousand industrial enterprises are registered in Nizhny Novgorod, employing over 95 thousand people.

      For comparison: in 1838, 2,610 people worked in 50 factories and plants. This data clearly shows how the industrial potential of the city has grown over two centuries and its significance for the country's economy.

      — And how has the city changed in terms of housing?

      — Housing construction also clearly shows the scale of change. In 2025, 1,209 residential buildings were constructed in Nizhny Novgorod. Today, the city's housing stock exceeds 65 thousand buildings.

      If we compare this to the beginning of the 19th century, the difference is impressive: back then, there were fewer than two thousand residential houses in the city. Such numbers help to see how dramatically the urban landscape has changed.

      — Nizhny Novgorod is not only an industrial center but also one of the popular tourist cities. Can we see the development of tourism in the statistics?

      — Of course. Nizhny Novgorod is interesting for its combination of history and modern life: here, merchant mansions coexist with business districts, and views of the confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers attract visitors from all over the country.

      With the growth of tourist interest, the hospitality sector is also developing. In 2025, there were 190 hotels and similar accommodations operating in the city—almost a third more than five years ago.

      During the same period, the number of accommodated guests more than doubled, reaching one million people. Looking back at history, in the mid-19th century, there were only 26 inns and hotels in Nizhny Novgorod. The contrast with today shows how the city and its capacity to host guests have changed.

      — It's interesting to imagine how Nizhny Novgorod lived two centuries ago: instead of electric buses—carriages, instead of modern cafes—taverns. Did statistics really preserve such data?

      — Yes, both carriages and taverns. For the 805th anniversary of the city, specialists from Nizhny Novgorod Statistics prepared a jubilee statistical collection "Nizhny Novgorod—805. History in Numbers." It contains unique archival data about the life of the city in the 19th and 20th centuries, and for certain indicators, even earlier periods. The collection also presents modern indicators that allow us to look at the development of Nizhny Novgorod in a new way.

      In addition, we released a statistical guide for those who want to learn about the city not only through numbers but also during walks. This is not a set of dry tables, but interesting facts and useful information about iconic places and attractions.

      Both publications are already available on the official website of Nizhny Novgorod Statistics and are accessible to everyone. — What would you wish for Nizhny Novgorod on its 805th anniversary?

      — Numbers cannot replace the impressions from walking through beautiful streets, but they help to better understand the scale of what is happening, assess the results, and see the prospects.

      From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate the residents of Nizhny Novgorod on City Day! I wish that Nizhny Novgorod continues to develop, becomes more comfortable, and delights residents and guests with new well-equipped spaces and bright events.

      May our city have many more glorious pages ahead, and may statistics only confirm its success. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When republishing, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.