Migration policy and causes of migration in the Vologda oblast

The study of migration policy, and especially migration policy in the regions, is a popular topic of scientific research, as uncontrolled migration leads to changes in the population’s quantitative and qualitative parameters, the violation of the territories’ demographic balance and requires management. The purpose of the article is to analyze the causes of migration and migration policy pursued in the Vologda Oblast in order to find opportunities for its correction. The study is conducted on the basis of the statistical data of the Vologda State Statistics Service on migration, regional regulations governing this area, and scientific literature. It is determined that the current migration policy in the region does not meet the needs of the region’s economic, social and demographic development and requires adjustment. For this purpose, it is first of all necessary to develop a separate regional program of action balanced in goals, resources, terms and performers, providing for a list of specific activities. The program should be based on a detailed study of migration and in particular its causesunder the influence of which the migration flows leaving the Vologda Oblast exceed those arriving since 2006. The development of the statistical observation system, the inclusion of sociological methods of migration research in order to study in detail all stages of the migration process, and not the actual resettlement only, the use of modern information opportunities for monitoring migration, the development of a special sociological study that would assess the opinion of the authorities and the population on the expansion of the immigration contingent in the region, to determine the immigrants’ quantitative and preferred qualitative characteristics, the optimal types of migration for the region (by length of stay, destination), to develop a well-thought-out migration policy consistently. The obtained results may be of practical interest to researchers in the field of demography, migration and sociology, as well as the representatives of authorities implementing demographic, migration and social policy.