Assessment of the trend in demographic processes of population aging in the northern and equated territories of the Irkutsk region

Abstract

Introduction. The process of population aging, characterized by a gain in the group of people of older working age in the age structure, has begun in Russia, and in the developed countries. The demographic policy of the state is aimed at creating a favourable age and gender structure of the population with the aim of systematic socio-economic development of the regions. The purpose of the study is to give a comprehensive assessment of the trend in demographic aging of the population of the northern and equated territories of the Irkutsk region over 2011–2019. Materials and methods. The selection of territories is based on the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of November 16, 2021 N 1946 “On approval of the list of regions of the Far North and areas equated to regions of the Far North”. Information on the absolute size of the total population, population by gender and individual age groups was obtained from the Rosstat service for the Irkutsk region. In accordance with the methodological provisions on demographic statistics, special aging coefficients were studied in the formed statistical population using the Statistica 6.0 MS Excel 2017 software packages. Results. In the northern and equated territories of the Irkutsk region, population aging processes are taking place. The intensity of the aging process in the regions in time proceeds differently. There is a disproportion in the age-gender structure due to the feminization of aging, which leads to deformation of the age-gender pyramid. In most regions, the depth of aging is decreasing, the number of people surviving to the age group of 75–89 years is becoming smaller. There is a twofold gain in the pension burden coefficient, its trend in the regions is similar to the Irkutsk region in general, with the exception of Bratsky, Nizhneilimsky, Ust-Kutsky industrial areas. Research limitations. The method used is applicable in the study of the trend in the population aging rate in certain territories. Conclusion. The formation of a steady growth trend of indicators characterizing the processes of population aging in the territories determines the need to develop programs to improve demographic policy in the subject of the Federation.