Magadan Region is one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, belonging to the Far Eastern Federal District. In the north (northeast) it has a border with the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, in the west with Yakutia, in the east with Kamchatka, and in the south with the Khabarovsk Territory. The administrative center is the city of Magadan. The population of the Magadan region is gradually declining.
Natural conditions
The region is in the list of regions of the Far North, which in itself speaks of harsh conditions. In the coastal zone, due to the collision of relatively warm humid sea and cold continental air masses, weather disasters can occur in the form of snowstorms, drifts and other troubles. In the mainland, the weather is mostly stable, with severe and extremely severe frosts in winter and fairly warm summers. The continental climate is pronounced. Frosts are about the same as inYakutia.
Almost everywhere permafrost. The relief is mountainous, with a predominance of medium- altitude mountains. Earthquakes happen, up to magnitude 7-8.
Economy
Most important to the economy is mining and fishing. Most of all, gold and silver are mined, less - coal, tin, tungsten. Hydroelectric power stations are operating. Tourism and agriculture are practically absent. Potatoes are grown the most, cabbages are grown much less, and carrots and beets are insignificantly grown. In the north of the region, reindeer breeding was previously developed, but over time, this industry fell into disrepair.
Transportation
The transport system is not developed enough. There is no rail transport at all. The total length of roads (excluding dirt roads) is only 2323 kilometers. And with high-quality coverage - only 330 km.
Population of the Magadan region
In 2018, there were 144 thousand people in the region. At the same time, the population density of the Magadan Region is only 0.31 people/km2, which is an extremely low value. In addition, almost the entire population (96%) lives in cities. This is the highest figure in the regions of the Russian Federation. About 70 percent of the region's residents live in Magadan itself.
Population dynamics of the Magadan region
Until the mid-30s, the population of the region was insignificant. However, already in 1939 it amounted to 173 thousand people. Then there was an unsustainable growth, and in 1987 a peak of 550 thousand people was reached. But at the turn of the 80s and 90s, the population fell immediately to 390,000people The decline continued with a gradual slowdown, and in 2018 the number of inhabitants was almost 4 times less than in 1987 and 1989.
However, the first failure (between 1989 and 1990) is explained by the fact that before this period of time the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug was part of the region, and then it became an independent territory from the region. However, the population decline in the 1990s still looks quite dramatic. This rapid process began in 1991 and continued until 1996. In subsequent years, the already gradual decline in population continued until the present day. Recently, the region has been losing only 1-2 thousand people a year.
If the current trend continues, further population losses will be small.
Demographics
One of the reasons for the decline in the rate of population decline may be an increase in the birth rate. During the Soviet period, there were about 17 newborns per 1,000 people per year. In the 90s, this figure was 8-8.5 newborns. Then a gradual unsteady growth began, and now the birth rate fluctuates from 12 to 12.5 people per thousand inhabitants per year. However, there is no data for recent years even on official websites. Most likely, the birth rate remained at the same level, since the population curve, which includes data for this year, does not show any new trends (has a smooth course).
Mortality data also does not capture the last 4 years. Its meanings wereare minimal until 1995 (an average of 5.5-6 deaths per 1000 people). Then, until 2003, it fluctuated around 9-10 people per thousand. After that, the rate increased and amounted to 12.5-14 deaths per 1000 inhabitants. In 2013 and 2014, the death rate was slightly lower.
Natural growth was significant in the Soviet period (10.5-12.5 people/1000), slightly less in 1990 (8.1), and then mostly negative, sometimes positive, but everywhere small. Only since 2013 has it become positive, but insignificant in magnitude.
Thus, the sharp decline in the 90s, apparently, is associated with the migration outflow of the population to other regions of Russia, and not with the natural demographic situation in the region.
Ethnic composition of the population
The bulk of the population (81.5%) are Russians, followed by Ukrainians (6.5%). The top three are closed by the Evens (1.7%), slightly less than the share of Tatars - 0.9%, Belarusians (0.75%) and Koryaks (0.6%). Representatives of other national groups are less than 0.5%.
Population growth in the last 25 years has been noted among the following nationalities: Uzbeks, Chinese, Chukchi, Azerbaijanis, Evens, Koryaks, Eskimos, Chuvans. For the rest, it falls.
Thus, the population of the Magadan region declined sharply in the 90s, and then declined at a slow pace. At the moment, there is no serious demographic threat in the region.
