THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE POPULATION OF THE BAIKAL REGION

Abstract

The aim of the study is a comprehensive assessment of the quality of life of the population of the Baikal Region (BR) and its trends in the post-Soviet period. Methods. The analysis of life quality of the population of the Baikal Region was carried out on the basis of indicators evaluated in the framework of objective and subjective models. Criteria for differentiated assessment of the level of psychological distress of the population were worked out and used according to the degree of deviation of the suicide rate from the critical level - 20 °/оооо (WHO criterion). The data was analyzed for the territories of the Baikal Region, the Siberian Federal District and the Russian Federation for a period of 21-27 years. Results. All indicators of life quality on the territories of the Baikal Region differed for the worse from the corresponding average indicators in Russia. Clearly marked eastern vector of negative changes in the studied characteristics was revealed. Negative changes in the affective component of the quality of life, measured by the suicide rate, are the most pronounced on the territories of the Baikal Region. Thus, in the Irkutsk Region, an extremely high suicide rate was recorded for 6 years (1994-1995, 1999-2002). Indicators of extremely high suicide rates were observed: in the Republic of Buryatia for over 20 years; in the Trans-Baikal Territory - for 19 years. Consequently, the negative changes in social life that occurred in the observed period caused the greatest damage to the psychological sphere of the quality of life. Conclusions. The quality of life of the population of the Baikal Region is worse compared to many other regions of the Russian Federation. There are no tendencies towards the convergence of these levels. The results of the study show that the efforts of the authorities of all levels in the socio-economic development of Siberia are still not enough to raise the quality of life of the regional community to the average Russian indicators, and even more so to the level of social standards of developed countries.