Contemporary Migratory and Demographic Processes in the South of Russia: Regional Peculiarities (the Case Study of the Republic of Kalmykia)

Abstract

The article is devoted to contemporary migratory and demographic processes in the South of Russia. The changes that have taken place in the Russian Federation over the past decades during the fundamental political and economic reforms have significantly affected the migratory and demographic processes in the Republic of Kalmykia. The research results revealed four main factors defining the peculiarities of present day migration and demography and drew some development prospects of both migration and demography policies in the region. Being a subject of the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kalmykia is undergoing such processes as natural population increase and migration population loss as well. Negative migration balance has become one of the main reasons for the population decline of the republic in recent years. Thus, the situation in the field of migration, existing at the present stage in the region, requires a more effective migration policy, which should be based on consideration of interests not only of the state itself but also of the society and even of an individual, when respecting the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens.