Migration from Rural Areas of Kalmykia to the Far North and to the Territories Equated to the Far North

Abstract

Introduction. A critical situation in the agricultural sector of Kalmykia, largely destroyed infrastructure, unemployment, and low wages are the factors that contribute to the increase of migration of the population in the rural areas of the Republic. One of the destinations for migrants, besides Moscow and Saint-Petersburg, is Far North and territories equated to it. The present article’s aim is to examine the character of this migration and the migrants’ life in the northern lands. Data and research methods. The study employs the method of structured in-depth interview; the respondents found by way of ”snow-balling”. There are 20 interviews in all, recorded in March-April 2021. Results. The analysis of the interviews indicates that the people migrate to the Far North to solve their financial problems, to get jobs, to make careers, and to earn their ”northern” pensions. Most of them are quite successful: flats are bought, houses are being built, and there is money to help their relatives. They may adapt well to the new environments but very often at the expense of their health. The interviewees often have plans to go back to Kalmykia but only when they are retired or after their work in the Far North they may move to Moscow and Podmoskov´e to live and work there. Importantly, the migrants from Kalmykia are usually those who have a good command of their mother tongue. Their complaints are that they have no opportunity to realize their professional ambitions and be useful to their home villages and places. Notably, migrants have Kalmyk associations that organize besides holiday feasts some educational activities (teaching mother tongue and Kalmyk dances), and support the elderly and the young.