Youth migration in Mountainous Dagestan as an indicator of sustainable development of the territory

Abstract

Introduction. Identification of the specifics of the course of youth migration in the most problematic mountainous regions of Dagestan. Methods. Comparative geographical, statistical, descriptive-analytical, cartographic research methods were used in the course of the study. Results and discussion. The number of young people in Dagestan has been declining in recent years, which indicates an increase in unfavorable trends in demographic development. The share of young people in the migration loss of the population of Dagestan is more than 42%. The most significant indicators of youth decline are observed in the southern regions with a predominance of Lezgins, Rutulians, Tsakhurs, as well as the Lak and Akushinsky districts, dominated by Lak. This trend is somewhat weaker in the areas of predominant residence of Avars. Magaramkent (more than 12%), Derbent, Akushinsky, Akhtyn (more than 9%) districts are leading in terms of the rate of reduction of the number of young population. The migration decline of young people is typical for all mountain settlements, but the intensity of this process varies by region, one of the provoking factors is inaccessibility. According to the direction of migration flows of young people, interregional outflow prevails (especially in the Rutul and Tabasaran districts). In a significant part of mountain municipalities, the importance of intra-regional youth migrations is high (Agulsky, Dakhdaevsky, Dokuzparinsky districts are in the lead), while the urban area receives a small replenishment. A very insignificant positive balance can be traced in international migration (the Lak and Magaramkent districts are distinguished). Conclusions. The mountainous territories of Dagestan are losing young people, which is one of the most important factors provoking a decrease in the sustainability of socio-economic development. The unfavorable geographical position of settlements and the peculiarities of the ethnic composition of the population are among the determinants that increase the outflow of young people from mountainous areas. The dominance of interregional youth decline in inter-regional flows is traced. Less significant intraregional flows are directed to the plains and coastal more dynamically developing territories.