Territorial aspects of population dynamics in rural localities of Volgograd region

The article deals with the territorial aspects of the population dynamics in rural localities of Volgograd region in 1969-2010 in connection with the regulatory documents of the strategic planning of spatial development of the Russian Federation. The analysis is based on data from population Censuses and materials from the State Archive of Volgograd Region. The significance of the population index for economic development is considered. The relationship between the population size and the natural and economic-geographical conditions of the territories is shown. A typology of rural settlements of Volgograd region in terms of population is developed that meets the objectives of the study. The dynamics of the population in all 1474 villages in the context of rural administrative districts, rural councils (settlements), and individual rural localities of Volgograd region are studied. The change in this indicator in the context of the administrative districts of the region is analyzed. The structure of the villages of the region bythe number of residents is studied. The spatial distribution of settlements of different population levels in time dynamics is studied. The main features of the analysis of the cartographic diagram “The structure of the population and its changes in the villages of Volgograd region for 1969-2010” constructed by the authors are described. Forecast assumptions about the territorial development of rural settlements of Volgograd region are made. The considered processes in the structure of rural settlements bypopulation allowus topredict in the near future unfavorable socio-demographic trends, in particular, the advanced optimization of education, health, and social services at the regional and municipal levels in territories with a high proportion of small villages. First of all, this applies to villages with a population of up to 200 people and 200-700 people, which were not previouslyincluded in industrial development programs.