Demographic Behavior of the Population of the Trans-Baikal Territory

The article introduces the results of the study of selected aspects of the reproductive behavior of the population of the Trans-Baikal Territory at the current stage. The objective of the study is to analyze the trends in the border region in population reproduction, age-related structural changes, issues of transformation in the institution of family and marriage.

The novelty of this research work is in the performed regional demographic analysis of the reproductive behavior of Trans-Baikal Territory residents compared to all-Russian indicators and data by the federal districts. The authors revealed the fact that the reproductive indicators as applied to the population in the Trans-Baikal Territory are characterized by the best values, however, this level is reached mainly through the Buryat and Tatar ethnic groups. The Slavic ethnic group, though most numerous in the region, has the lowest potential for the expanded reproduction of the population. Depopulation processes in the Territory are less pronounced, however, a decrease in the proportion of young people and an increase in older able-bodied ages are already evident in 1/4 of the Trans-Baikal Territory. Seemingly high fertility rates in the region are associated with the realization of reproductive potentials in the population born in the 1970s and 1980s and have a short-term effect.

The authors established that the observed trends in the age structure of the female population of the fertile age of the Trans-Baikal Territory are similar to transformations in the country, but with a lesser regression degree. At the present stage, they cause a shift in the main demographic burden on a group of women aged 25 to 29 years, whose share in the total female population of reproductive age is declining. Concerning the matrimonial (marriage) behavior of the population in the Trans-Baikal Territory, a greater regression of family-marriage relations is observed. The transformation of family values has recently been reflected in an increasing number of divorces in the region.

It is the authors’ opinion, that the depletion of demographic resources of the border region reduces the level of its demographic security and makes the regions’ border space more «permeable», which also affects the countries’ economic security.

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