Dynamics of the population of the North Caucasian regions of Russia in 2010-2022

The article considers the main trends in the population change of the North Caucasian Federal District over the past decade as one of the priority geostrategic territories identified within the implementation of the "Strategy for Spatial Development of Russia up to 2025". In general, for the period 2010-2022 the population has not changed much on the Russian territory, although depopulation is observed in most regions of the country. Against this background, the North Caucasus is distinguished by a relatively favorable demographic situation. But even in this territory, demographic problems that are characteristic of the country as a whole are increasingly manifested. Since the 2010 population census, the population in the republics of Karachay-Cherkess and North Ossetia-Alania has decreased, that was not been observed over the previous decades. And the population of the Stavropol Krai during the period under review grew mainly due to the positive balance of population migration from other regions of Russia, including to a large extent from the neighboring North Caucasian republics. Analysis of the population dynamics was carried out taking into account the processes in fertility, mortality and migration mobility of the population. The situation is considered at the level of regions-subjects of the Russian Federation and municipalities (urban districts and municipal districts). This allows us to better understand the causes of the current situation and make some adjustments to Russia's demographic and migration policy. Improving the demographic situation in the priority geostrategic territories, including the North Caucasus, will contribute to the socio-economic development not only of these territories, but of the entire Russian Federation.