Differentiation of Russian Territories according to the Population Trends at the Municipal Level

Abstract

The subject of the research is territorial differences in population dynamics at the levels of municipalities, Russian federal subjects and federal districts. The purpose of the research was to analyze the population trends in urban districts and municipal regions of Russia in recent years highlighting the most problem areas. It is revealed that the socio-demographic security of many territories is threatened by a rapid decline in the population — by more than 2% annually. Already in the medium term, such territories may almost completely lose their population. The components of this process are defined — natural movement of population or migration leading to depopulation. The population changes in Russia as a whole in recent years are shown, including natural population growth in 2013– 2015, gradual increase in the average life expectancy, etc. But in general, the demographic crisis of the last decades is continuing as follows from the comparison with other countries close to Russia in terms of the population make-up or economic development level. In the coming years, assuming the current trends remain, the crisis will become more acute according to the preliminary data on the population decline in Russia in 2018. It is concluded that the population of the municipalities of the Far Eastern Federal District is declining at the fastest rates, which runs counter to the socio-economic development strategy of Russia giving priority specifically to the Far East of the country in the medium and long terms. It is proposed to set up programs of demographic development not only at the level of federal districts and Russian Federation subjects but also at the intraregional level.