Development of human capital in the Arctic regions of Russia

Abstract

This article considers the human capital development in the Russian Arctic regions as a basis for economic, social and demographic development. The article highlights main human capital theories and changes of its concept undergone over the past years. Human capital components were analysed using demographic resources capital (natural increase, migration growth), health capital (life expectancy, morbidity, mortality), education capital (level and structure of education, level of employment). In the last decade of the 20th century, the Russian Arctic regions lost their attractiveness as a labor market and experienced the negative migration. After the 2010s, the increased state’s interest changed migration trends and natural population growth there. The demographic capital is more prosperous in the Russian Arctic zone than in other Russian regions. It is not typical for other countries and shows little impact of living conditions in Russia (harsh climate, underdeveloped infrastructure) on population growth. The employment structure shows that workers with higher and secondary professional education replace less educated workers. High mortality and morbidity of the population demonstrate low health indicators and problems with health care system in the Arctic regions. In conclusion, summary and recommendations are made to improve the human capital quality in the Russian Arctic regions.