Features of the Demographic Development of Rural Areas in Russia in a Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the main components of demographic dynamics: mortality has increased everywhere, migration has practically stopped. In this regard, it is relevant to assess the contribution of international migration to the formation of the population of rural areas of Russia. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current demographic situation in rural areas of the Russian Federation and propose measures to minimize the consequences of the pandemic. Materials and Methods. The data of Rosstat (the Federal State Statistics Service), government bodies of the Russian Federation, international organizations, publications of scientists studying the problems of the population were used. To summarize literary sources content analysis was used. The study of demographic dynamics was carried out using the methods of statistical analysis, tabular method, generalization and interpretation of the obtained results. Results. The study reveals that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the demographic situation in rural areas and may have a delayed negative effect due to a sharp decline in the number of foreign migrants. The risks of death for people living in rural areas are increasing due to the large proportion of older people in its composition, as well as the lower physical accessibility of medical services. The analysis makes it possible to establish that the main factor in the reproduction of the rural population of the Russian Federation in 1990 – 2018 made by international migration. The sanitary restrictions introduced in 2020 and significantly extended for 2021 can have a significant impact on the reproduction of the rural population of our country, as well as its labor potential. Measures are proposed to minimize the impact of the pandemic on the reproduction of the rural population. Discussion and Conclusion. The study shows that the only factor that has a positive impact on the demographic dynamics in rural areas of the Russian Federation is international migration, which has sharply decreased in the context of the pandemic. The practical significance of the study is the possibility of using its results when adjusting federal and regional programs aimed at stabilizing the demographic situation in rural areas of the Russian Federation.