Volume 27, Nº 1 (2024)
CONDITIONS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF POULATION
Quality of life of the rural population in Russia: integral assessment and regional differentiation
Resumo
The article presents a study of the regional differentiation of the Russian rural population on the basis of an aggregated array of variables reflecting various aspects of the life quality, in the form of objective indicators of benefits (disadvantages) and subjective assessments of their quality (manifestation). The source of indicators is Rosstat — Comprehensive monitoring of the living conditions of the population for 2020. All variables are grouped by regions of the Russian Federation and are reduced to a single scale from 0 to 1. According to the principle of statistical and meaningful similarity, the array of variables is divided into blocks with subsequent aggregation into «block indicators» with high information content of each variable. They are the basis for classification of regions and development of an integral indicator of the life quality, which effectively solves the problem of interregional comparisons. Based on the results of the analysis, there is identified high information content in the formalization of the rural life quality of those variables that reflect improvement of the household, its financial capabilities, security of living and social characteristics of the family head (the nature of his work), health status, and activity of using the Internet. For the village, lower availability of services, including utilities, remains relevant. Economic activity in personal subsidiary plots is not an additional source of family income and is multidirectional in relation to the life quality. Geographical conditions do not affect the life quality of the rural population: the leading and outsider regions in terms of the values of the integral indicator are dispersed in all parts of the country and do not form continuous territorial areas. The rural population of the southern and central regions is characterized by high self-assessments of health and work, high well-being of rural housing with low assessments of its quality, low leisure and social activity. The rural population of a significant part of the Siberian, Ural, and northern regions is characterized by a higher satisfaction with the socio-economic living environment than in the country as a whole, and lower assessments of housing amenities, working conditions and health.
Population. 2024;27(1):4-19
4-19
Regional priorities in the utilities’ infrastructure upgrading in rural areas for improving quality of life of the population (Part One)
Resumo
This article considers the problem of rural areas’ significant lagging behind urban territories of the Russian Federation in terms of the utilities’ infrastructure development that comprises water supply, sewage systems, heating and gas supply. We use for our analysis six indicators from the Rosstat surveys entitled «The Comprehensive Monitoring of the Living Conditions of the Population» as of 2014 and 2022 reflecting access of ca. 18.5 thousand households in rural settlements of 82 regions of the Russian Federation (excluding three federal cities) to water pipelines, hot water supply, up-to-date sewage systems, availability of up-to-date toilets, heating systems as well as gas supply. Part One of the article shows that the rural households’ quality of life is lagging behind the urban ones most considerably in terms of access to sewage systems (50,6 percentage points (рр) less households across all the country), up-to-date toilets (29,3 pp less) and hot water supply (21,0 pp less). The Central and North Caucasian federal districts are the leaders by average indicators while the Siberian and Far Eastern federal districts critically fall behind the other federal districts by the degree of development of the utilities’ infrastructure. The largest gap between urban and rural areas in average terms exists in such regions of the Russian Federation as the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Komi Republic, Irkutsk Oblast, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Republic of Tuva, the Republic of Karelia, the Republic of Buryatia, Amur Oblast, Tyumen Oblast and Krasnoyarsk Krai. In Part One and Part Two of the article, we present six classifications with six groups of the subjects of the Russian Federation by the degree of lagging of rural settlements from urban areas by each component of the utilities’ infrastructure considered. Part Two of the article presents a method and calculations of values of the composite index of the utilities’ infrastructure underdevelopment in rural areas for 82 regions of the Russian Federation. Based on the results obtained, we compose a typology encompassing seven types of regions of the Russian Federation that may serve as a foundation for setting or adjusting regional priorities of the state programmes aimed at developing components of the utilities’ infrastructure in rural areas.
Population. 2024;27(1):20-32
20-32
Research on child labour in agriculture in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Resumo
The article deals with the problem of child labour in agriculture in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Agriculture employed 112 million children in 2020, or about two-thirds of the world’s working children. They mostly work on their family farm or near home. Child labour is most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific region. However, 5.7 per cent of child labour cases worldwide occur in Europe and Central Asia. The root causes of child labour are household poverty and economic instability, as well as children’s limited access to quality education. In the post-Soviet countries, the collapse of the economy in the 1990s contributed significantly to fostering child labor. The problem of child labor in agriculture in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is poorly reflected in national statistics. Expert survey in four countries that best represent the region was chosen as the main tool to study the problem. The results of the survey showed that still a high proportion of children from rural areas are employed on family farms, although the use of children in agricultural work is decreasing. Analysis of the legislation of the target countries and the scientific literature has revealed the causes and allowed making some recommendations to prevent and reduce child labour in agriculture in the region.
Population. 2024;27(1):33-47
33-47
Impact of digital transformation on the life of Russian population
Resumo
In the modern world, following the latest technological trends determines competitiveness of the economy in the domestic and foreign markets. Timely introduction of the most advanced innovative methods at all levels—in production, communications, logistics, management—is the main factor in increasing efficiency. And digital technologies are indispensable in building a competitive economy, both at the regional and state levels. Analysis of data from Rosstat and the Higher School of Economics in the present study has led to the conclusion that currently in Russia there is an acceleration of digital transformation processes, including at the regional scale. The pandemic restrictions of 2020–2021 have had a positive impact on the spread of digitalization tools and skills in the domestic economy. However, it should be noted that the corporate and government wish to maximize the use of digital tools and improve the quality and convenience of their use has a much longer history. And the restrictions have only accelerated the process of digital transformation in the country that started long ago. One of the negative factors of these processes is, on the one hand, the hypertrophied concentration of expenses for the introduction of digital technologies in Moscow, and, on the other hand, the currently very insufficient share of domestic equipment and software used. This creates high sanctions risks for a further movement towards building digital economy in the country. The methodological basis for the current work is mathematical and statistical methods, analysis, synthesis, as well as graphical and tabular methods of presenting data. The main sources of research are indicators of the digital economy provided by the Higher School of Economics as well as statistical data from Rosstat, including those in the regional context.
Population. 2024;27(1):48-59
48-59
Carsharing in capital city: the attitude of Muscovites to new models of consumption of transport services
Resumo
One of the important characteristics of the quality of life of population is transport provision. The problem of large cities that reduce the comfort of living is traffic jams. Struggling with them, the authorities of megacities impose restrictions on car owners—they organize paid parking, prohibit driving on allocated lanes, etc. One of the solutions to the described problem is the carsharing service of a minute-by-minute car rental, which allows residents of megacities to remain mobile and use the car only when it is necessary, while reducing the cost of its maintenance. The article presents results of the author’s sociological research conducted in 2019 and 2021 by the method of mass survey and focused group interviews in order to study the attitude of Muscovites to various forms of collaborated consumption, including the transport sector. According to the obtained data, the absolute majority of respondents have a good understanding of what carsharing is, the number of people who have personal experience of using carsharing is growing. Muscovites, who own private cars, also join the list of service users, since there is a number of situations in which carsharing opens up a range of additional economic and operational advantages for them. Based on the combinations of transport modes, regularly used by the respondents, a typologization of transport strategies was carried out. It includes 5 models: «inveterate car owner-motorist», «combined car owner-motorist», «active carsharing user», «situational–carsharing user», «social activist». The main drivers of carsharing usage are economic reasons (savings on the purchase and maintenance of a car, free parking, etc.), there are concerns about the potential costs in case of damage to the car and the technical condition of the rented car.
Population. 2024;27(1):60-70
60-70
Systematization and correlation analysis of factors affecting crime level
Resumo
The article presents the results of a study of crime factors in Russia, conducted within investigation of the characteristics of human potential. The first part of the work describes the theoretical aspects. A distinction is made between the concepts of factors and causes of crime, and the essential differences between these categories are highlighted. Thus, factor largely reflects a force external to a person, while reason lies in himself and in his psychology. The main factors influencing the crime rate are described: socio-economic (poverty, unemployment, level of income differentiation), demographic (age, gender, social status, education and place of residence), psychological (personality of criminal, situation in family and social environment), political (legislation and criminal code, political situation and security, effectiveness of law enforcement structures), cultural (traditions, customs, beliefs, language) and others (national, regional, religious). The second part presents results of the correlation analysis of the connections between the socio-economic factors and crime rate in the regions of the country based on the official statistics for 10 years from 2011 to 2020. The results of the analysis confirmed the impact on crime of such factors as the standard of living of the population, especially unemployment and income levels, and also revealed a relationship with indicators of the spread of higher education and alcohol consumption. In general, the economic motive for committing crimes was confirmed. The heterogeneity of the values of the correlation coefficients in the regional context is explained by the high degree of syntheticity of the general crime indicator, which aggregates all possible types of offenses, as well as a complex of regional features, including effectiveness of the law enforcement system. The results of the work can be used in further research for the purpose of clustering regions and analyzing the identified factors by certain types of crimes.
Population. 2024;27(1):71-81
71-81
DEMOGRAHFY: THEORY AND PRACTICE ISSUES
Ethnic diversity and economic diversification: the case of Russian regions
Resumo
Scientific researchers highlight the dependency of Russian economy on hydrocarbon industry that imposes higher risks for macroeconomic instability in the country during the global commodity prices volatility and geopolitical turmoil. Economic diversification is one of the most effective tools that can offset the effects of external shocks on the national economy. Ethnic minorities can potentially contribute to the economic diversification and sustainability of the national economy. They have their own religions and traditions, which make impact on production features and employment; many ethnic groups are mainly engaged in traditional economic activities. Their development can potentially cover some of the needs of the Russian market. However, this issue remains understudied. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess the impact of ethnic diversity on the economic diversification of the Russian regions. For analysis we use panel data for 83 Russian regions over the period of 2000– 2020. Ethnic diversity is represented by ethnic fractionalization index, number of major religions and official languages, while the decomposition of the Theil index represents the measure of the economic diversification. Considering high heterogeneity of regional data, we implement quantile regression approach with fixed effects. The empirical evidence shows the absence of significant impact of the ethnic diversity on economic diversification. However, in the regions, where more religions are represented, the degree of economic diversification is higher. The results obtained expand the existing literature on the issue in the context of the Russian regions that can be used in development of strategic mechanisms for the state regulation in the field of support for ethnic minorities and reduction of the economic concentration in Russia.
Population. 2024;27(1):82-94
82-94
Demographic characteristics of the Russian population
Resumo
The article deals with the results of numerical estimation of demographic characteristics of the Russian female and male populations using the example of the RF 2019 statistical materials with the help of the digital twin for population developed by the author with his colleagues. It demonstrates the capabilities of the digital twin to estimate the attainment of life expectancy limits and predict the demographic characteristics of any population based on previous statistical data of that population. There was used a hardware-software package with embedded the digital twin for the Russian population on the basis of thirty-three years of statistical research into the effects of the total lifestyle index on longevity, workability, ageing and other population characteristics. The life expectancy of the Russian Federation population with the demographic characteristics for 2019 tends to 79 years for men and 122 years for women, with a maximum possible total lifestyle index. For the current demographic characteristics of the population, the rate of population aging from time for different total lifestyle indices has at least one maximum. The possibility of numerical calculation of life expectancy as a function of changes in the average weight of the male and female population is shown. The possibility of controlling the biological age of a population member depending on his total lifestyle index is shown. Developed hardware-software complex based on digital twin for population estimation of demographic characteristics of populations can be used to calculate and predict the demographic characteristics of any population on the basis of previous statistical data of this population. Hardware-software complex can be useful for public and state organizations, statistical agencies, medical organizations of different profiles. insurance companies, staff recruitment companies, pension funds, venture capital funds, private finance funds, private banks and capital management organizations.
Population. 2024;27(1):95-108
95-108
Demographic factor in the economic development of the regions of the Siberian Federal District in 2005–2022
Resumo
Dynamics of important demographic and economic processes in the regions of the Siberian Federal District (SFD) is developing according to a more unfavorable scenario compared to the all-Russian trends. Most of the SFD territories are characterized by a long-term natural population decline, decrease in the number and proportion of working-age population and rising demographic burden. Increase of the demographic burden in the industrial regions of the SFD is due to the number of people over working age, while in the national republics of South Siberia, it is due to larger numbers of children and adolescents. High mortality rate of the SFD population has a negative impact on life expectancy, especially for men. An important role in the dynamics of the processes under study belongs to the natural resource and industrial character of the development of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk, Kemerovo, Omsk, Tomsk oblasts and the Republic of Khakassia. A significant part of the Siberian population lives in unfavorable environmental conditions, they have lower living standards and higher poverty rates as compared to the national average. The authors used correlation and regression analyses to reveal a significant and moderate correlation between demographic factors and economic development of the SFD regions. Employment showed a negative correlation with the increase in demographic burden and mortality from external factors. Life expectancy has a positive correlation with population employment and gross regional product (GRP) level. Demographic burden, mortality caused by external factors, and life expectancy proved to be more significant for population employment rate, and moderately or weakly relevant for average per capita GRP. The authors propose a typology of the SFD regions based on their level of economic development and specifics of the demographic situation. The typology includes three types: first, the most problematic and less developed regions; second, less problematic ones; and third, the regions whose development indicators are close to the Russian average. The suggested typology is practically relevant as it can be used in adjusting the objectives of demographic and economic development of the regions in the Siberian Federal District.
Population. 2024;27(1):109-122
109-122
Demographic development of the Arctic regions in the context of resilience concept
Resumo
The article deals with the demographic development of the Arctic regions of Russia for the period 2010–2021 from the perspective of the concept of resilience. The search for new approaches to improving the sustainability of the economy of the Arctic regions requires a deeper study of the influence of the demographic factor on socio-economic systems. The analysis allowed the authors to identify the main trends, features and patterns of demographic development of the Arctic zone of Russia, including in the pilot region — the Arctic zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). In the study the authors identify negative trends in demographic processes that adversely affect development of the socio-economic systems of the Arctic regions. Scientists express the opinion that the present realities require a change in the vector of implementation of the preferential regime of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. There is a need to go beyond a «business-only» regime and provide preferences for the population in the Arctic in order to retain and attract them. The authors conclude that the prospects for demographic development in the Arctic will depend on a proactive state policy in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation with systematic measures to create conditions for living and vital activity of the population in the Arctic.
Population. 2024;27(1):123-135
123-135
Regional aspect of youth migration attitudes in the Russian Arctic
Resumo
The current stage of development of the Russian Arctic zone (AZ RF) dictates new tasks for development of these territories. In this vein, a special attention is paid to the demographic potential of the Arctic territories. The circulation of migration flows in the AZ RF makes its own adjustments to the reproduction of the population, especially among the mobile social group of young people. The purpose of the article is to identify the migration intentions of young people, the factors that contribute to formation of these intentions through actions, as well as the desire to stay in the Arctic among those young people who arrived. Consideration of the migration intentions of local and arrived youth aged 16–35 years in a descriptive sociological type of research in the Arctic space is the scientific novelty of the study. The information base of the study is the data from a sociological survey of young people from all regions of the AZ RF (N=8583). Migration intentions of the local youth and those who arrived in the AZ RF are active and specific in certain regions. Among the local youth, only one third plans to stay in the Arctic. Social ties, the search for favorable environmental and climatic conditions, educational opportunities and personal reasons play a role in the formation of migration intentions, backed up by actions. Young people come to the AZ RF mainly for the purpose of employment and earnings and to the regions with educational centers — to study and work. To a greater extent, settlement of the newly arrived youth is temporary and replaceable. The authors identified the main problem issues and points of development of the territories of the Russian Arctic in the context of retaining young people with the account of the results of the survey on the causes of migration.
Population. 2024;27(1):136-152
136-152
Russian migrants in Mongolia: historical and sociological aspect
Resumo
Migration processes are associated with the trends of globalization. Their strengthening is due to a number of characteristics connected with various historical and sociological factors, trends and epochs. The system of interstate relations between the Russian Federation and Mongolia has its own peculiarities of the migration process associated with various events of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as the Civil War of 1917–1922, economic cooperation within the framework of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance, Special Military Operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The Civil War in Russia moved to the territory of Mongolia, where the «white» movement was able to establish its power for a while, and later representatives of emigration went there both for permanent residence and for further departure to other countries. The unrecognized status of the «sixteenth» Union Republic in the years of the USSR contributed to the influx of Soviet specialists, the formation of a corresponding migration wave. The third stage under consideration, the period of the Special Military Operation 2023–2022, actualized the issue of the arrival of Russian relocants to Mongolia, a significant number of whom stay to work remotely in the Russian Federation. In the study the author aims to show the main stages of migration of Russians to the territory of Mongolia. Using the method of historicism he identifies the causes and results of the migration waves, provides statistical data. In the results, the author comes to the conclusion that the migration processes are based on the common cultural and civilizational code, the historical proximity of Russia and Mongolia, the need to develop cooperation within various supranational integration associations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Population. 2024;27(1):153-165
153-165
POPULATION HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE ISSUES
Features of the formation of medical services availability in the new economic reality
Resumo
Analytical materials, sample observations and surveys show significant problems in the availability and quality of medical care for the Russian people, who differ in terms of living conditions, solvency, age and other characteristic. The purpose of this study is to identify the features of the formation of medical services availability in the Russian healthcare system in the new economic reality and to determine the directions for its improvement. The empirical base of the study is the data from official statistics of the Russian Federation, international organizations, outcomes of sample observations and surveys, processed by methods of comparative analysis, groupings, and expert assessments. The main results of the study: substantiation, as the most important tool for overcoming inequality in the availability and quality of medical care, of the projects of social orientation at the federal and regional levels, which contain a set of differentiated measures addressed to specific groups of the population living in different conditions. The impact of the healthcare system commercialization of on the level of accessibility of medical care for the urban population and people living in small rural and hard-to-reach settlements is considered; the need for social support of certain segments of the population in connection with the expansion of the segment of paid medical services through public-private partnership is substantiated. In the course of analytical study of the significance of federal and regional projects of a social orientation with a focus on the needs of specific groups of the population, there was shown the expediency of interaction and complementarity of various sectors of the economy and medical organizations in the provision of telemedicine consultations and other services, the need to enhance the professional training of doctors and medical personnel using distance learning forms and subsequent accreditation. The importance of developing regional social standards as a set of mutually agreed management practices and decisions to improve the quality and accessibility of services in the social sphere is shown.
Population. 2024;27(1):166-177
166-177
Social networks as a means of obtaining information about oncological diseases
Resumo
In the modern world, saturated with information technologies and resources, their quality, reliability, and usefulness for the audience begin to play a special role. Today, every citizen with Internet access has the opportunity to study medical information of interest. But search queries can be not only informational in nature, for example, about the name and qualifications of a specialist, about the location of a medical organization, and so on. Citizens often request information directly to make a diagnosis, including «on Google», for self-medication, prescribing medications, etc. The scale of penetration of social networks into the life of population makes it possible to comment on the diagnosis, communicate in forums on diseases of interest, including cancer, as well as on issues of their prevention. Of course, one of the priority areas of the national project «Healthcare», adopted following the meeting of the Presidium of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation for Strategic Development and National Projects on December 24, 2018, is to reduce mortality rates from neoplasms, including malignant ones (up to 185 cases per 100 thousand population), and to achieve this goal, methods are also being developed to further inform the population about cancer and measures to prevent it. It is also necessary to take into account that the correct use of the information received by citizens depends on the reliability of medical information; therefore, it is an important and integral condition for preserving and strengthening the health of the population. The article presents the results of using the author’s methodology for the automated process of collecting and systematizing data from search queries in social networks of residents of the Republic of Tatarstan when studying information needs on the topic of oncology. It was found out that expert information only partially satisfies the information needs of the population on the topic of oncology, thus, the hypothesis put forward before the start of the study was confirmed.
Population. 2024;27(1):178-191
178-191
Factors forming the foundations for self-preservation behavior of the population
Resumo
The article examines the key determinants of self-preservation behavior of the population. The methods used are: analysis of official statistics regarding Russians’ commitment to a healthy lifestyle (HLS) and its various components, broken down by federal districts and age and gender groups; secondary analysis of sociological studies on the implementation of healthy lifestyle principles by specialists related to medicine (medical workers, teachers of medical universities), including in comparison with representatives of non-medical professions; in addition, the data of a mass survey of metropolitan physicians conducted with the participation of the authors was analyzed, aimed at identifying, firstly, their own commitment to a healthy lifestyle and obstacles to its implementation; secondly, ideas about the subjects who bear the main responsibility for the formation of a healthy lifestyle of the population, as well as what prevents people from following its principles. The authors’ classification of objective and subjective factors of self-preservation behavior of the population is presented, and their interrelation is illustrated. According to Moscow doctors, the key determinants of self-preservation behavior are the person’s awareness of responsibility for his own health, the availability of medical services and trust in the healthcare system; income level, healthy lifestyle fashion and the situation in the country are of less importance. Judging by the results of the secondary analysis and our own empirical data, the situation with the adherence to a healthy lifestyle by medical workers themselves is ambiguous. On the one hand, a significant part declares their orientation towards a healthy lifestyle, and on the other hand, like the population as a whole, doctors show lack of consistency and complexity in compliance with its principles. The main barriers to implementing a healthy lifestyle are insufficient self-discipline, lack of energy and time. As to those responsible for developing the population’s adherence to a healthy lifestyle, about 90% of Moscow doctors called people themselves responsible for it, another quarter — the state, and only every tenth indicated the role of healthcare workers.
Population. 2024;27(1):192-205
192-205
SCIENTIFIC LIFE AT ISESP FCTAS RAS
V Jubilee scientific and methodological forum of healthcare organizers «Organizational decisions as a framework of the metropolitan healthcare»
Population. 2024;27(1):206-211
206-211