MOSCOW, March 18 (RIA Novosti) - The number of state and civil service officials in Russia has almost doubled since 1999 to total 846,307 as of October 1, 2008, the Federal Statistics Service said on Wednesday.

The number of officials at a regional level rose by 125%, while the number of federal-level officials went up by 60%.

Municipal officials totaled 367,620 people, a 107% increase.

The average age of Russian bureaucrats is 39-40 years. In the legislative branch the average age is higher - 43-47 years, while in the executive branch it matches the overall average of 39-40 years.