GENERAL TRENDS AND GEOGRAPHICAL DIFFERENCES IN THE DYNAMICS OF THE RURAL POPULATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA): RESULTS OF THREE DECADES

. Aim. The paper identifies regional characteristics, as well as intraregional and local differences in the population dynamics in rural areas of Yakutia. Methodology. An analysis is performed of the trends and regional specifics of population dynamics in rural areas (uluses) of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) for 1989–2019 based on statistical, comparative-geographical, cartographic and expeditionary research methods. Results . Differences in the dynamics of the population of rural areas of Yakutia in relationship with the geographical location, ethnic factor and features of economic activity are established. The shift of the rural population and its growth occurred in the regions of Central Yakutia such as Namsky, Churapchinsky and Gorny, in historical areas of the settlement of Yakuts engaged in traditional meat and dairy cattle breeding and meat herd horse breeding. The largest decrease in the population due to migration outflow occurred in Momsky and Zhiganskyulus with a more Northern location and poor transport accessibility to the regional center. Research in the districts demonstrates the impact of the location and transport accessibility of the ulus to Yakutsk, the share of the indigenous population and their ethnicity, the development of the social sphere and housing construction, and the dynamics of significant economic activities in terms of employment on the population dynamics. Research implications. A huge amount of various statistical data on the dynamics of rural population of one of the largest regions, Yakutia, is examined. This study helps complement the demographic picture of rural population of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), as well as to get an idea of the perspec-tives for rural development.