Demographic processes in the settlement system of the northern regions of the Far East (based on materials from the Amur Region)

Transformations taking place in the Russian Far East in the recent decades have been accompanied by a significant reduction in the population associated with the migration outflow and excess of the mortality rate over the birth rate, degradation of the existing settlement system. These trends are especially strong in the northern regions, as well as in the northern part of the territories and regions of the south of the region. The purpose of this work is to assess changes in demographic processes occurring in the settlements of municipalities of the Amur region, equated to the regions of the Far North, to determine the transformations taking place in the current settlement system for the period of 1989–2023. Analysis of the features of development of demographic processes in areas equated to the Far North, taking into account the characteristics of municipalities and the system of settlements that has developed during the development of economic activity, allows us to assess the possibilities of implementing program goals and prospects for the transformation of the settlement system. Assessment of the features of migration and natural movement of population in the municipalities of the north of the region, indicate decline of the population, degradation of its structure. The paper describes the dynamics of population change in settlements of various economic specialization, size and distance from the district center. The role of natural and climatic factors, the peculiarities of the organization of production in the extractive industries is determined. It is revealed that the emerging dynamics of demographic processes is determined by a combination of factors, among which. In addition to natural and climatic conditions, a significant role is played by the peculiarities of economic activity, the level of development of the complex of social infrastructure in settlements and settlement centers. Obtained results create informational basis for supplementing the developed programs of socio-economic development of municipalities of the northern territories with the definition of prospects for transformations at the level of individual settlements.