Demographic situation in Russia and social infrastructure

Abstract

The article considers the main indicators of demographic development of the Russian Federation in recent years in connection with the level of development of social infrastructure. It is shown that the demographic situation in the country is deteriorating, that is due to both subjective and objective reasons. Among the objective reasons, the main one is the change in the age structure of the population, which is expressed in a sharp decrease in the number of women in fertile age. This is due to the acute demographic crisis of the 1990s, «demographic waves» generated by the Great Patriotic War, and other factors. Among the subjective causes of the decline in birth rate, the article highlights the general patterns of reduction in the number of children in families as the level of socio-economic development increases, which are characteristic of all countries of European culture. In particular, the reduction in the number of children is facilitated by such factors as reduction in the share of officially registered families, increase in child support costs, and the financial difficultiesfaced by families with children during economic crises and stagnation. All these cases are typical for regions of the Russian Federation in recent years. Development of social infrastructure — education, healthcare, culture, sports, and other similar systems — could improve the demographic situation in Russia. Unfortunately, in recent years, such systems have been degrading rather than developing in Russia. This is facilitated by the system of statistical reporting that does not reflect the actual situation. The article proposes approaches that could overcome this shortcoming of the present statistical reporting system, thereby contributing to the demographic development of the modern Russian Federation.

Demographic Policy in Modern Russia: Population View and Expert Assessment

“…As the reasons for the second wave of depopulation, Russian researchers consider both objective and subjective circumstances. The objective factors of the demographic dynamics of recent years include the transformation of the age structure of the population due to the historical features of the demographic development of the country (demographic waves and pits that arose as a result of the Great Patriotic War and other events of the 20th century) [ 7 , 16 , p. 67]; such a transformation is manifested primarily in a decrease in the number and proportion of women of active reproductive age [ 16 , p. 67; 17 , p. 848]. Among the subjective reasons, many authors single out general regularities in the reduction in the number of children in families as the level of socioeconomic development rises, which is characteristic of all countries of European culture.…”

“…Among the subjective reasons, many authors single out general regularities in the reduction in the number of children in families as the level of socioeconomic development rises, which is characteristic of all countries of European culture. In particular, factors such as the decrease in the proportion of officially registered marriages, the increase in the cost of raising a child, and financial difficulties faced by families with children during economic crises and stagnation contribute to the reduction in childbearing [ 16 , p. 67].…”

Initiative budgeting as a mechanism for raising the quality of life of the population

“…В данном контексте обоснованным представляется подход, ориентированный на рассмотрение качества жизни в рамках конкретной территории, где реализуются социальные интересы личности, формируются необходимые условия жизнедеятельности, удовлетворяются потребности в получении образовательных, медицинских услуг, самореализации, развитии карьеры [3]. Как справедливо отмечается в ряде исследований, объекты территориальной инфраструктуры (медицинские, культурно-досуговые, образовательные учреждения, организации рекреационной сферы и профилактики заболеваний) обеспечивают условия для комфортного проживания населения [4]. Однако, развитие социальной инфраструктуры в РФ характеризуется высокими показателями региональной дифференциации, неравномерностью территориального распределения, недостаточным уровнем доступности её объектов в ряде регионов, что создаёт предпосылки для ухудшения ситуации в экономической, социальной сфере, формирования деструктивных демографических процессов [5].…”