Regulation of the process of social reproduction of rural territories under depopulation conditions

Background. The article is devoted to the study of the problem of social reproduction of rural territories under depopulation conditions complicated with consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also includes the effect of the special military operation on country’s rural border territories. According to authors, social reproduction is necessary to consider as self-regulated and regulated process of renewal of quantitative and qualitative resources of rural areas for stabilization of the rural socio-territorial community, overcoming of degradation processes and further sustainable growth. The aim of this article is to analyze modern reality regarding demographic processes taking place in rural territories and to identify the main directions in the regulation of the social reproduction process in rural areas. The paper has implemented the dispositions of rural residents regarding demographic potential and demographic trends, as well as the expert community in the regard of risks and threats to socio-demographic security of rural territories of the Central Black Earth Economic Region. It is noted that the statistics of Russian rural population’ demographic development clearly shows the trend of depopulation of these areas which is determined not only with a combination of demographic factors, including the demographic transition, but also, perhaps to a greater extent, by socio-political and economic conditions.

Purpose. The objective of the present investigation is to study of the problem of social reproduction of rural territories under depopulation conditions complicated with consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods. When considering the process of social reproduction of rural areas, we will rely on the concept of rural networks developed by a team of authors led by Dutch economist Frederick Van der J.D Ploeg. Dutch scientists have combined numerous theoretical concepts and ideas regarding rural development, rural networks, in their opinion, appear to be multidimensional, multifunctional with a multitude of intrasectoral interactions. In the framework of the proposed concept, scientists identify several conceptual blocks in the structure of rural networks (among them: endogeneity, sustainability, social structure of the population, social capital, etc.), which are in dynamic interaction.

The empirical basis of the study is made up of: 1) statistical data characterizing the birth rate, mortality rate, migration of the population; 2) complex of sociological investigations of the demographic potential and demographic trends in rural areas conducted un the Belgorod region in 2021-2024 by a team of scientists from the National Research Institute “Belgorod State University” which include the mass sociological questionnaire survey N=1000 (2021), series of focus-group interviews and expert surveys (N=50, annually).

Results. Our theoretical and empirical analyses allow us to formulate a number of practical recommendations to the authorities of various levels, business community and public structures, etc., aimed at improving the main parameters of demographic development of rural areas:

1. Formation of regional expert groups in the sphere of demographic development. “The problem of the efficiency and effectiveness of demographic processes and measures to regulate them affects the interests not only of civil servants and politicians making certain attempts to respond to demographic crises, but also of scientists engaged in the study of demographic challenges” – N.P. Goncharova writes.

The solution to the problem of strengthening the principle of scientific validity of demographic policy in rural areas requires large-scale involvement of experts in the development and implementation of demographic development programmes and projects. In our opinion, the selection of experts should be differentiated and involve scientists specialising in different fields of knowledge, in particular, experts in demography, sociology of management, sociology of family, sociology of youth, social gerontology. This will allow for a targeted and more concentrated approach to the development of projects and programmes for demographic development.

Modern digital technologies make it possible to search for experts throughout the country and ensure their inclusion in the working process. It is promising to create an electronic database of experts in the field of demographic development, which in parallel functions as an interactive platform for discussing issues and problems of demographic development, and which in the future can be used to organise open online conferences, forums and symposia.

2. Development of science-based comprehensive monitoring of the regional demographic policy performance. The objectively demanded tendency to search for new tools and technologies of demographic development of rural areas implies the development and implementation of systems of indicators for assessing regulatory impacts.

In a turbulent and highly dynamic society, the problem of indicators and indicators with the help of which it is possible to assess the effectiveness/efficiency of the demographic policy is of great importance. Today it is necessary to scientifically substantiate and develop indicators that will allow us to assess the sociodynamics of demographic processes. They should reflect their objective and subjective sides.

Based on the analysis and synthesis of state and regional documents in the field of demography, generalisation of information sources, including the Federal State Statistics Service data, we propose a set of indicators, which should be monitored and allow to assess the effectiveness of demographic policy in rural areas: a) monitoring of the reproduction plans of the population; b) monitoring of population’ incomes and participation in social programs; c) monitoring of population’ state of health; d) monitoring of the quality and accessibility of services in such spheres as education, healthcare and social services, promotion of employment; e) monitoring of infrastructure’ quality; f) sociological survey “Demographic wellbeing of the population of rural territories”.

The proposed indicators are assessed using a set of methods, such as: evaluation of information in official sources, data on adopted and existing legislative acts and program documents in the field of the demography and family policy; official statistical data describing the demographic and socio-economic situation available on the website of the Federal State Statistics Service, as well as in the Unified Interdepartmental Information Statistical System; data from periodic sample surveys of the Federal State Statistics Service on demographic problems; and data on the demographic and socio-economic situation in the Russian Federation.

3. Creation of regional and municipal Centers for the support of social practices of active longevity. The methodology of preserving and developing the resource potential of the older generation is proposed to be used more widely, which allows for a differentiated approach to the formation of an active longevity strategy, taking into account the capabilities and motivation of different groups of elderly and old people.

Conclusion. In the conditions of modern dynamically changing reality, the prospects of demographic development of rural areas are ambiguous, and forecasting the situation regarding demographic development is difficult. At present, in the era of turbulence of socio-economic processes, there is no agreement in the demographic forecasts of researchers.

In modern conditions, scientific and methodological support and systematic monitoring of demographic processes in rural areas become the key to prompt and adequate response to demographic challenges.