Rural population of the Southern regions of Russia: analysis of the demographic situation

The paper addresses the problem of the demographic development of rural areas in the regions of the Southern Russia. The demographic situation has been analysed with regard to three neighboring regions: Astrakhan Region, Volgograd Region and the Republic of Kalmykia. The key demographic development indicators have been analyzed including the population size, the rates of natural increase and decline, as well as life expectancy. According to statistics, the number of rural residents has been growing in Astrakhan Region, while in other regions of Russia (Volgograd Region and the Republic of Kalmykia) rural population decline is the main demographic trend. The analysis of the rates of natural increase and decline indicates that from 2011 to 2016 a natural increase was recorded in Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Kalmykia; this coefficient had a negative value in Volgograd Region. Increasing life expectancy for the rural population is one of the strategic tasks set forth towards the strategic development of Russia’s rural areas. This task has been fulfilled since life expectancy for the rural residents of Astrakhan Region, Volgograd Region and the Republic of Kalmykia has increased. The study of the demographic indicators suggests that positive results have been achieved in Astrakhan Region, that is rural population growth, the natural increase in the number of rural residents, as well as the increase in their life expectancy. An unfavourable demographic situation can be observed in Volgograd Region due to a reduction in the number of rural residents and a natural decline in rural population. A positive trend is represented by an increase in life expectancy. The demographic development of the Republic of Kalmykia is characterized by a combination of positive and negative processes including natural increase in population, an increase in life expectancy for rural population, as well as a decline in population numbers and a reduction in the natural increase rate regarding rural population.