Reproduction of the Population of Western Siberia in the Conditions of Transition to the Market (1989-2002)
Author of the article examines demographic situation in one of the largest regions of Russia - Western Siberia in 1989-2002. This was a period of radical economic and social reforms, purpose of which was transition to market relations. Population of the USSR lived most of their lives under the planned system. Change in economic model of development had involuntary effect on the sphere of reproduction of population. Birth rate significantly decreased, mortality rates increased, life expectancy of population sharply decreased. This process was not unidirectional. Periods of deterioration in demographic situation were replaced by times of relative well-being. Infant mortality showed positive dynamics. Requirements for recognizing a fetus as stillborn were tightened by law. Statistics on death of children under one year old became more comparable with international data. These processes are considered in more detail on example of population of Western Siberia. Continuous dynamic series of fertility, mortality, infant mortality and life expectancy are presented. Negative consequences of ill-conceived reforms are traced. Causes and consequences of changes in demographic processes are identified. It is concluded that the processes taking place in dynamics of population of Western Siberian regions show in more detail the essence of changes taking place in the country. Everything is considered at the macro level - variant of development at regional level, and at the micro level - on example of Kuibyshev, a small town in Novosibirsk region, where all the processes taking place are most clearly identified and analyzed by the author. Some of the materials presented in the article are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.