CURRENT TRENDS IN THE NUMBER OF RURAL POPULATION IN THE LENINGRAD REGION

DOI 10.32651/268-87

Issue № 8, 2026, article № 11, pages 87-93

Section: Staffing

Language: Russian

Original language title: СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ТЕНДЕНЦИИ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ ЧИСЛЕННОСТИ СЕЛЬСКОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ В ЛЕНИНГРАДСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Keywords: RURAL AREAS, POPULATION, POLARIZATION OF SPACE, LENINGRAD REGION

Abstract: The change in the rural population in the regions of the Northwest determined the purpose of the study, which was to identify trends in rural differentiation according to the dynamics of the rural population and to identify measures for their sustainable development in relation to the specifics of conditions in the Leningrad region. The methodology included an economic and statistical analysis of Rosstat data and materials from the Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Leningrad Region until 2036. It is revealed that in the region the most favorable changes are observed in the near periphery of St. Petersburg.‑St. Petersburg, where migration growth compensates for the natural decline and supports the growth of the rural population, while remote areas demonstrate depopulation processes and an increase in the proportion of people over working age. In general, spatial differentiation is increasing: territories close to St. Petersburg‑In St. Petersburg, they maintain a more stable demographic potential, and peripheral areas are facing a decrease in the proportion of young people. In general, the region-wide trend is forming reserves for socio-economic development due to an increase in the number of able-bodied rural population. However, measures are needed to evenly rejuvenate peripheral rural areas, based on the dynamics of structural shifts in the number of people over working age, which contrasts with demographic growth in the near periphery, increasing the polarization of the space where more than 60% of the rural population is concentrated. Therefore, a differentiated approach to rural development, taking into account the spatial location of the districts, their demographic potential and the degree of attraction to St. Petersburg, will help mitigate the negative trends in the decline of the rural population.

Authors: Nikonova Natalia Aleksandrovna