Family and marriage structure of the Mordovian population in a historical context

Introduction. The article traces the dynamics of trends in the key elements of the family-marriage structure of the Mordovian population over an extended historical period (XVIII century – early XXI century). It examines the types of families, their quantitative and generational composition, as well as marriage and birth rates.
Materials and Methods. The research materials included the works providing insight into the discussed issue, as well as statistical data that enabled the analysis of the fundamental elements of the family structure of the Mordovian population. The research employed historical-structural methods and quantitative analysis methods.
Results and Discussion. The family structure among the Mordovians has undergone a complex evolution. Up until the 1930s, both small and large family forms were observed. In the 1920s and 1930s, due to the disintegration of large family collectives, simple (nuclear) families became predominant. Throughout the XX to the early XXI century, there has been a noticeable reduction in quantitative indicators of Mordovian families: their population, the number of generations, as well as a decline in birth rates and marriage rates.
Conclusion. Currently, the situation in the family sphere has somewhat stabilized. In Mordovia, the number of marriages is increasing, although this does not lead to an increase in birth rates. The current situation is driven by the fact that young people primarily seek to achieve a certain social status, build their careers, and a non-family lifestyle becomes increasingly important. To address the demographic situation and enhance the prestige of the family, special importance is given to social measures taken in the Republic as part of the national project “Demography”.