Far East's population crisis persists despite decade-long state efforts

Yuri Avdeev, a leading researcher, addressed the Far East’s population crisis at an international forum on June 9. He highlighted long-standing difficulties in stabilising the region’s numbers despite state efforts. At the International Scientific and Business Forum, Avdeev reviewed the past decade of demographic policy in the Far East. He declared it largely ineffective. The depopulation trend, which began in the 1990s, has continued unchecked.

The researcher pointed to the region’s low population density compared to neighbouring countries. He also noted the ‘demographic pyramid’ rests on a small base, restricting future growth. According to Avdeev, the main obstacles to development are securing funding and attracting people to carry out plans.

He proposed new measures to tackle the issue. One idea was to compensate women for domestic work, allowing them to leave the labour market. Another suggestion involved using housing as a tool to boost population numbers. The forum also discussed a new socio-economic strategy for the Far East until 2036, prepared by the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East. The Far East still faces a shrinking population despite past interventions. Avdeev’s proposals and the new strategy aim to address the region’s demographic and economic challenges. The success of these plans remains to be seen.