Magadan Oblast 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 collisions of moist, relatively warm sea and cold continental air masses, weather disasters in the form of snowstorms, drifts and other troubles can occur. 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 in Yakutia.
Permafrost is almost everywhere. The relief is mountainous, with a predominance of mid-altitude mountains. Earthquakes up to 7-8 points occur.
Economy
Of the greatest importance to the economy is mining and fishing. Gold and silver are mined the most, and less - coal, tin, and tungsten. They work hydroelectric power stations. Tourism and agriculture are practically absent. Most potatoes are grown, much less - cabbage and slightly - carrots and beets. Reindeer husbandry was previously developed in the north of the region, but over time this industry became desolate.
Transport
The transport system is not sufficiently developed. There is absolutely no rail transport. The total length of roads (excluding unpaved) is only 2323 kilometers. And with high-quality coating - only 330 km.
The population of the Magadan region
In 2018, there were 144 thousand people in the region. Moreover, the population density of the Magadan region is only 0.31 people / km 2 , 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 inhabitants live in Magadan itself.
The dynamics of the population 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 unstable 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 390,000 people. The recession continued with a gradual deceleration, 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 up to this period of time the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug was part of the region, and then it became a territory independent of the region. However, the decline in the population in the 90s still seems rather dramatic. This rapid process began in 1991 and continued until 1996. In subsequent years, a gradual decrease in population continued until the present moment. Recently, the region is losing only 1-2 thousand people a year.
If the current trend continues, further population losses will be small.
Demographic indicators
One of the reasons for the decrease in the rate of population decline may be an increase in the birth rate. In 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 began a gradual unstable growth, and now the birth rate ranges from 12 to 12.5 people per thousand inhabitants per year. However, data for recent years is not even on official sites. Most likely, the birth rate remained at the same level, as the population curve, including data for this year, does not show any new trends (it has a smooth run).
Mortality data also do not capture the last 4 years. Its values were minimal until 1995 (an average of 5.5-6 deaths per 1000 people). Then, until 2003, it fluctuated in the region of 9-10 people per thousand. After that, the indicator increased and amounted to 12.5-14 deaths per 1000 inhabitants. In 2013 and 2014, mortality was slightly less.
Natural growth was significant in the Soviet period (10.5-12.5 people / 1000), a little less in 1990 (8.1), and then mostly negative, sometimes positive, but everywhere small. Only in 2013 did it become positive, but insignificant in size.
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.
National composition of the population
The bulk of the population (81.5%) are Russians, followed by Ukrainians (6.5%). The first three Evens (1.7%) close, the share of Tatars - 0.9%, Belarusians (0.75%) and Koryak (0.6%) is slightly less. Representatives of other national groups are less than 0.5% each.
The population growth over the past 25 years is observed among the following nationalities: Uzbeks, Chinese, Chukchi, Azerbaijanis, Evens, Koryaks, Eskimos, Chuvans. The rest of 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.