Changes in reproductive behavior among young people in Russia, changing patterns of marriage and family formation, and high death rates among males are all affecting Russia's human capital potential, and public policy reforms will need to take this into account. The new Federal Law "On Youth Policy" represents an important stage that should lead to more focus on young people. To substantiate the most urgent relevant measures of youth policy in this law, it is appropriate to analyze the social and demographic problems of youth in the Russian Federation. This article examines the main components that ensure the population's growth: birth rate, marriage rate, and mortality rate as these apply to young people, for the purpose of drawing up recommendations for federal bodies of legislative and executive authority, thus promoting fuller realization of the demographic potential of young people.