Current Trends in the Demographic Development of the Population of Small Villages in Zakarpattia Region

Abstract

One of the dominant features of modern civilisation is the growing correlation between economic growth and the quality of its human potential, the level and condition of which are vital components of national wealth and the driving force of economic prosperity. Hence the increased attention to the analysis of current trends in demographic development of the population. This particularly concerns the lower administrative-territorial level, because it is there that the demoreproducing processes are developed and the life processes of the population take place. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the main trends of demographic development of the population of small rural settlements of Zakarpatska Oblast and identify factors that generate depopulation phenomena and, consequently, formulate recommendations for minimising the impact of said factors on the demographic processes among the rural population. In accordance with the set purpose, the study analyses the main trends in the demographic development of the population of small rural settlements in the Zakarpatska Oblast over the past 30 years. The demo-reproducing processes were studied considering the population structure in terms of natural and economic zones of the region, covering small villages of lowland, foothill, and mountain natural and economic zones. It was established that vertical zoning affects not only the conditions of business affairs and entrepreneurial activity of the population, but also the dynamics of natural population growth. Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of the dynamics of change in the population living in small settlements. The study identifies the main reasons that determine the strengthening of depopulation in small villages of the mountain natural economic zone. The authors prove the fact of decrease in the population density of small villages with their remoteness from regional centres and cities. The paper also features an analysis of changes in the age and sex structure of the population of small rural settlements, as well as identifies factors that deform the sex and age structure of the population, the effect of which in the near future will lead to decrease in the number of the economically active population and increase in budgetary expenditures for the maintenance of retired persons. The authors provide sound justification of the necessity of measures aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of demographic policy, thereby improving the quality of the human potential of the rural population, as well as preserving and reproducing its life and labour potential.