Demographic capacity and fertility promotion

The article considers birth rate dynamics in Russia for the past 15 years. It analyses the structural and behavioral factors of fertility. The number of women in reproductive age is declining, but the structure of this group is favourable in terms of reproduction. The share of the reproductively most active women giving 80% of all births was 47% in 2015. Calculations of Borisov’s hypothetical minimum of natural fertility show that there are reserves for fertility growth, but they are limited by reproductive behavior. The article presents the main outcomes of the monitoring reproductive capacity of the population of Vologda oblast showing prevalence of the few-children type of reproductive behavior. At the same time, changes in the attitude to the number of children confirm lability of population in relation to the demographic policy measures. It is found out that the most effective measures are solution of housing problem and support of women in the period of child care compensating for loss of their employment income.