Inter-regional Population Migration in Russia: Using an Origin-to-Destination Matrix

Abstract

This study examines regional economic conditions and their effects on inter-regional population redistribution patterns in Russia. After reviewing striking changes in population flows before and after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, an application of the gravity model to population migration in Russia in 2003 is presented using a newly obtained inter-regional in- and out-migration flow matrix supplied by Rosstat (formerly Goskomstat). Gross migration patterns since the year 2000, when large transformational population flows ceased, have not been investigated so far in the existing literature. The analysis conducted focuses on geographical factors, which have been basically omitted in existing literature on migration patterns in post-Soviet Russia, and the attractiveness of Moscow and surrounding regions and resource-mining areas is clearly presented.