ИСТИНА

The rural population of the Russian Near North is declining at an accelerated pace - hundreds of villages are left without residents, the fields are overgrown with shrubs and forests. The processes of depopulation in rural areas are influenced by a variety of factors - demographic, economic, social, general civilization. The demographic elements of depopulation of the rural population include accelerated aging of the population, an increase in the share of the female population (especially in older ages), low life expectancy for rural residents (including high mortality of men in the working ages), migratory outflow of youth and people of working age. Economic factors that determine the reduction of jobs and high unemployment in rural areas are the following: a decline in agricultural production in the region with no state support, poor development of farming, a tendency to reduce the number and size of personal subsidiary farms, and finally, the spread of labor-saving and automation technologies in agriculture and forestry. The recent administrative reforms in rural settlements, aimed at the enlargement of municipalities and the reduction of the number of local government centers, have led to negative consequences. In recent years, the number of rural schools and medical facilities has significantly decreased. This leads to a decrease in the level and quality of life of those who live in remote peripheral rural settlements, since now long distances are required to receive medical, educational and administrative services. The difficult demographic and economic situation produce an impact on the social and socio-psychological well-being of rural residents, on their life strategies and plans. The number of “migrant workers” (otkhodniks) - those who leave the village to the city for temporary earnings increases. Otkhodniks are usually the most active and able-bodied members of rural communities. The departure of young people to the cities, the aging population, the lack of real economic prospects - all this reinforces the mood of social depression. Alcoholism, devil-may-care attitude to their own health, other negative models of health-saving behavior (drug addiction and substance abuse) continue to spread. Rural residents, especially those in the peripheral areas, experience a high level of social exclusion - numerous “deprivations” (in terms of income, living standards, access to education and health care, and finally, full-time leisure). There are, however, some positive trends in the development of modern rural communities in the Middle North. They are associated with the effect of deurbanization and recreational (amenity) migration of urban residents to rural areas in the manner of “dacha” development. Citizens moving to the village have greater financial capabilities, organizational knowledge, communicative experience, social optimism, a higher degree of adaptability. Projects in rural areas, initiated or supported by citizens, are more likely to be positively implemented. At the same time, the emotional “attachment” to local places is much lower among the citizens than among the villagers born and raised in a particular place. However urbanites can at any time return to the city, sell or abandon a village house due to its insignificant material value. Therefore, a combination of several factors gives a probable prospect of positive development to a specific rural community, which is of particular importance. These factors include the ecological and recreational potential of the place, the presence of minimal infrastructure, the quality of roads and the “reachability/accessibility” of the territory, the presence of a historical and cultural component (memorials, a great history of the place, etc.), and finally, local community features (openness or closeness) and the activity of the local municipal government. The combination of these factors creates more favorable or, on the contrary, less favorable prospects for the preservation and development of a rural settlement, for attracting citizens for temporary or permanent residence. The study was conducted within the framework of a broad program of interdisciplinary research in rural settlements of the Near North of Russia “Ugory Project” (leaders Nikita Pokrovsky and Tatiana Nefedova). Nikolaeva, Uliana - Doctor of Economics, a Senior Researcher at the Department of Population Studies at the Faculty of Economics of Moscow Lomonosov State University. Member of the Society of Professional Sociologists.