Influence of environmental factors on population migration in Russia (on the example of the Privolga and Ural federal districts)

The article examines the influence of environmental factors on population migration using the example of the Volga and Ural federal districts. We study the demographic situation that developed in 2016-2018 in these federal districts of the Russian Federation. The ecological reasons influencing the migration of the population during this period are considered. Data on the size of migration flows at the interregional level indicate an increased outflow of population from the Urals and other eastern districts to the Southern Federal District. The motivation for this migration is largely due to dissatisfaction of the population with unfavorable natural and climatic conditions. More detailed data do not show such a clear picture of the dependence of migration on natural and climatic conditions and technogenic and ecological conditions, which, as indicated earlier, is due to a lack of detailed studies. The parameters of natural conditions required to assess the causes of migration are proposed to be divided into: climatic; landscape and geographic; technogeno-ecological; and post-catastrophic. The concept of «ecosystem services and natural capital» will be useful for a comprehensive assessment of the favorable environment for living