Kyrgyz SSR During the Great Patriotic War: Demographic Processes and Challenges

Introduction. The article is devoted to the analysis of demographic processes in the Kyrgyz SSR during the Great Patriotic War. In the context of modern trends of decolonization and de-Sovietization in post- Soviet countries, especially in Central Asia, it is especially important to preserve the historical memory of the war and counteract distortions. Studying the demographic challenges of wartime helps to highlight the contribution of Kyrgyzstanis to the overall victory, as well as to understand the consequences of the war for the population of the republic. Methods and materials. The study is based on the analysis of statistical data covering the natural and mechanical movement of the population of the Kyrgyz SSR during the war. The main methods are historicalstatistical, typological, and genetic approaches, which are used to identify and analyze demographic changes in the region. The research materials include current statistical data reflecting population changes, as well as office documents and open narrative sources. These sources contribute to a deeper understanding of demographic processes and living conditions of the population during wartime. Analysis. Demographic processes in the Kyrgyz SSR during the Great Patriotic War underwent significant changes caused by mobilization, evacuation, and losses. At the beginning of the war, in 1941, the population was 1.615 million people, and during this period there was a natural increase due to high birth rates and mechanical increase due to evacuees from other regions of the USSR. However, beginning in 1942, the death rate began to rise rapidly due to food shortages, deteriorating medical care, and the difficult conditions of the war. By 1943, natural growth became negative, which was accompanied by an increase in migration losses caused by the return of evacuees and a general increase in mortality. Given the lack of resources, there was a sharp decline in the birth rate, reaching a minimum in 1943. The situation continued to deteriorate in 1943–44, resulting in a population decline of 9.1% by the end of the war. Results. The Kyrgyz SSR, during the Great Patriotic War, being in the deep rear, faced serious upheavals caused by complex socio-economic processes. The evacuation and deportation of peoples had a significant impact on the mechanical and natural population growth, radically changing the ethnic structure of the region. Infrastructure overload and resource shortages have created serious difficulties for the republic, highlighting the need to analyze the socio-economic consequences of these processes. This study not only highlights important aspects of the demographic history of Kyrgyzstan but also contributes to the preservation of historical memory, which is especially relevant in the context of modern challenges. Assessing the impact of the war on the population allows for a deeper understanding of the sacrifices and efforts of Kyrgyzstanis both at the front and in the rear, which helps strengthen national identity and resist distortions of history. Authors’ contribution. Sh.D. Batyrbaeva developed the basic concept of the article and the methodological foundations of the study, analyzed the demographic processes of Kyrgyzstan during the Second World War using materials from the archives of Kyrgyzstan and scientific papers, and formulated the main results of the study. A.K. Karyeva identified materials from the archives of Kyrgyzstan on demographic processes during the Second World War, analyzed the historiography of the problem, and compiled a reference apparatus.