Demographic basis for forming sustainable development of rural territories of the steppe zone of Russia

Research on rural areas is currently one of the topical themes of studying spatial development of Russia. Modern problems of these territories are obvious and include depopulation, migration, decline in cash incomes, also an increased imbalance in development between urban and rural areas occurs. Rural areas of the steppe zone of Russia provide food security not only for the steppe regions, but also for the country as a whole. Forming of socially and economically developed rural areas is necessary for further functioning of the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, what confirms the relevance of this study. In the article the analysis is given of the quality of life of rural population of the Russian steppe zone, as expressed not in monetary equivalent but by indirect indicators: mortality, development of health care and education. Social development of rural territories of the Russian steppe regions was rated. It revealed that infrastructure is a significant factor for the efficient economic growth of a region and improvement of the living standards of the population. The consequences of the reforms in the education system and health care in rural areas of the steppe zone were reflected. The obtained results will allow to trace the development of demographic processes in rural areas of the steppe regions, and to identify problem areas.