On Demographic Processes and Prospects for Development of Rural Areas of the Novgorod Region

Abstract

In rural areas in the North-West of Russia, including those in the Novgorod region, there is a negative trend of reduction of permanent residents, especially of working age. Using the example of the Novorakhinsky rural settlement of the Krestetsky municipal district, a study was carried out of the dynamics of the number of residential buildings and their residents, including school-age children, over the past 123 years. A sharp decrease in these indicators was found in almost all rural settlements, some of them were depopulated and eliminated, which is confirmed by statistical data. A significant decrease in the population in villages led to the closure of kindergartens, schools, institutions of health care, trade and culture. The authors attempted to identify some of the reasons for these demographic changes. Rural population was alienated from forest resources, problems arose with the provision of firewood. At the legislative level it is proposed to allocate local forests near rural settlements to villagers and preferentially provide them with timber and other forest products. It is necessary to use the historical experience of the 19th-20th centuries and developments of modern scientists. To interest the local bodies of self-government, it is necessary to include into the assessment of their work and remuneration the following indicators: the dynamics of the number of permanent rural residents, construction and repair of residential housing, improvement of the territories of rural settlements, including high-quality water supply, heating, marketing of agricultural and forest products, and other vitally important conditions.