Rural population of Russia reduced 1,7 million people for the last decade

At present time rural territories in 55 Russian regions face shortage of population. At that death rate exceeds birth rate 2-2,8 times in 11 regions in the center of European part of the country, the deputy Minister for agriculture of Russia Alexander Petrikov reported during the all-Russian agrarian forum in Ufa.

“For the last decade in 2001-2010 rural population in Russia has reduced 1,7 million people. Natality has amounted to 2 million people and migration outflow – 317 thousand. For the last period between two population censuses Russian countryside has lost 2,2 thousand settlements. The intensity of outflow of people from rural territories goes up” – he stated.

According to the latest sociological polls 27% of villagers intend to change residence and young people make up a half of them.

At present time provision with pre-school institutions in the countryside makes up 41% against 65% in cities. For the last decade the number of village schools has reduced almost 11 thousand, pre-school institutions – 4300, clubs – 7 thousand and medical-obstetrical stations – 6800.

In opinion of the participants of the all-Russian agrarian forum in spite of positive endowment of the federal goal-oriented program “Social development of villages till 2013” it is necessary to revise the volumes of resources, meant for stable development of rural territories, upwards. They are talking first of all about house building, construction of pre-school education institutions and beautification of rural territories.