RESEARCH ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF REGIONAL RURAL DEMOGRAPHY.

According to the United Nations forecasts, by 2050 the number of Russian citizens will decline to 132.7 million, mainly due to a decrease in the number of rural residents. Negative demographic trends are also noted in the Penza region, where over the past 25 years the population has decreased by 235 thousand people. In this context, the goal of the paper was the identification of socio-economic problems in rural areas based on a comprehensive analysis of the demographic situation, production potential, social structure and other factors, taking into account their potential change in conditions of turbulence in the external environment. The article analyzes the size of the rural population, its distribution by major age groups, household sizes. Indicators of life expectancy, natural movement and migration of the population of the Penza region and the Volga Federal District are reflected. Taking into account the actual socio-economic problems of the rural population and trends in the rural demography, the state should develop a new strategy for increasing birth rate, for decreasing mortality, assuring jobs and a corresponding living standard and life quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]