Tendencies of changes in quantitative and qualitative characteristics of birth rate in Russia and the Komi Republic

The paper deals with the evaluation of changes in quantitative and qualitative characteristics of birth rate in Russia within recent 15-year period. The situation in the whole county in general and in the Komi Republic in particular is considered.Characteristics of dynamics in birth rate in urban and rural areas of Russia and the Komi Republic within the period of 1999-2015 caused by changes in the structure of women of childbearing age and increase in intensity of fertility is given. It is revealed that the increase in the intensity of fertility is the consequence of changes in the calendar of births, as indicated by the shift of births to older age groups. At the same time this is the result of increase of number of children in families, as evidenced by the share of births of the older generations. Tendencies of illegitimate birth rate, abortions and infant mortality are considered. The author concludes that growth of the quantitative indicators of the birth rate coincides with improvement of its qualitative characteristics.Efficiency of the demographic policy is estimated. Demographic activities made it possible to prolong a positive trend in birth rate even in conditions of the started deterioration in age structure of women of the childbearing age, to give birth to children that was earlier postponed by the older generations, to raise number of children in families, to strengthen the birth rate family component and to enhance reproductive intentions of the population.