Differentiation of dependency ratio in Irkutsk oblast

Abstract

The article determines the dependency ratio among municipalities of Irkutsk oblast. We designed scales with ratio gradation for mapping the results for different types of dependency burdens. We revealed that the youth population less than 400 per 1,000 people is typical for northern peripheral districts of the region and for the well-developed industrial and multifunctional central cities. The connection between the long-term mean birthrate within the main settlement zone in the region and mean indices of youth dependency burden from 400 to 600 is determined. Minimal old dependency burden (less than 400) have been revealed in the regional center Irkutsk and the Irkutsk district with higher working-age population, in most other districts the old dependency burden has mean values 400 to 500 per 1,000. Maximal value of the old dependency ratio is typical for the north of the region and they are determined by migration outflow, low birthrate and aging population. We have summarized the values of youth dependency ratio and the old dependency ratio and revealed a significant differentiation of indicators of the total dependency load in the region within the values up to 800 and more than 1,000. The northern regions with a considerate proportion of pensioners in the total population and the regions of the main settlement zone with mean values of both ratios and the regions of Ust’-Orda Buryat okrug with traditionally high birthrates experience the greatest dependency load on the workforce.