Territorial and Settlement Characteristics of the Dynamics of Population Ageing in the Republic of Crimea (2014‒2021)

Introduction . The relevance of the study is mainly due to the fact that the analysis of the dynamics of the population aging process, as well as its territorial characteristics, plays an important role in the process of determining various complex plans for the development of territories, from individual settlements to macroregions and entire states. The purpose of the study is to determine the spatial features of dynamics of population ageing of the Crimean Peninsula in the last intercensus period (2014‒2021), which, in turn, makes it possible to assess further prospects for its transformation at the level of leading cities and administrative regions. Materials and Methods . Using the complex method of Z. Dlugosh, the population aging dynamics index of all municipalities of the peninsula was calculated, they were classified by the type of age structure, as well as by the level of intensity and direction of its transformation. Statistical analysis methods such as summary, grouping, as well as correlation and regression analysis of the obtained statistical data also acted as a research tool. The foundation of the information base of the study was the materials of the All-Russian Population Census 2014 and 2020 (2021) in the Republic of Crimea. Results . It has been established that all municipalities of the Republic of Crimea are characterized by an old age structure of the population, which varies in the range from moderately old to very old. In the dynamic aspect on the peninsula for the analyzed period, municipalities can be distinguished with a trend of slow and moderate rejuvenation (respectively 28 and 8% of the total number of municipalities), slow and moderate aging (56 and 4%, respectively). Their placement did not record both distinct spatial patterns (territorial zoning) and noticeable differences between urban districts and rural areas (levels and forms of settlement). Discussion and Conclusion . In the nearest future, there is no need to talk about a significant transformation of the types of age structure in the municipalities of Crimea, since in more than 90% of municipalities with a very old age structure of the population, there is currently a tendency towards either slow or moderate aging, and a number of municipalities with moderately old and old age structure also maintain the trend towards population aging.