The Study of Permanent Migration of Economically Depressed Regions

Abstract

Russia’s development in the post-Soviet period is characterized by enhanced interregional socio-economic disparities, emergence of different kinds of troubled territories including depressed areas. The group of depressed regions includes ten constituent entities of the Russian Federation where economic recession is accompanied by reduction in the number of residents and the population outflow as a result of permanent migration. The purpose for this research is to identify the specific features of migration processes in economically depressed regions and elaborate proposals to optimize migration policy. The information base of the research is represented by official data of Rosstat. The article analyzes the processes of permanent migration in depressed areas, proposes periodization of migration process in the post-Soviet period and defines the reasons for the occurred changes. The author identifies net migration indicators and population decline in depressed Russian regions by flows of permanent migration: interregional and international between neighboring and distant countries. Analysis of migration exchange with foreign countries was conducted with the help of migration intensity indices previously used only in studies of domestic migration. The formation of the territorial structure of permanent migration flows was mostly based on proximity to specific countries and traditional ties between regions. The author identifies the peculiarities of migration in economically depressed regions. Population loss is the result of interregional migration. International migration is characterized by migration gain due to CIS countries. The study indicates positive consequences of migration flows from countries of the former USSR: restoration of population losses as a result of natural decline, interregional migration and emigration to developed far abroad countries. The immigration flow to depressed regions slows down the process of resident population ageing reducing gender disparity. The author point to a better migration situation in regions of the Central Federal district attractive to migrants from the neighboring countries. The current immigration situation is the result of economic and social issues in depressed regions. The solution to the problem of migration requires joint effort of federal and regional authorities

Keywords

• russia
• post-soviet period
• economically depressed areas
• permanent migration
• migration outflow
• migration intensity index