Dynamics of population in the settlements of the indigenous peoples of the North in Yakutia in 1970–2020

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-100-109

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About the Author

Viktoriya V. Filippova

Institute for Humanities Research and Indigenous Studies of the North, Siberian branch, Russian Academy of Sciences,
1, Petrovskogo, Yakutsk, 677027, Russia,
E-mail: filippovav@mail.ru

Abstract

The analysis of population settlement dynamics serves as an indispensable tool for a deep understanding of socio-economic and political processes taking place in a region. The population is an indicator that reacts not only to the changes in living conditions that have already occurred, but also to the forecasted trends. The study of population changes in different territorial units plays an important role in planning the development of the region. The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamics of changes in the population of 70 settlements—places of traditional residence and traditional economic activities of the Indigenous peoples of the North in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) from 1970 to 2020 using the cartographic method. The Indigenous peoples of the North living in the study area are Evenks, Evenes, Dolgans, Yukaghirs and Chukchis. Based on the analysis of the dynamics of population changes, including positive and negative gradation scales in percentage ratio, three types of settlement dynamics were identified: negative, stable and multidirectional. The study demonstrates a complex and multifaceted picture of changes in the dynamics of crowding of settlements—places of compact settlement of the Indigenous peoples in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to the analysis of demographic data for making informed management decisions in the field of regional planning and development. The identified trends indicate the need to develop strategies aimed at stimulating the development of settlements of small-numbered ethnic groups. Further research should be aimed at a more detailed analysis of the causes of the identified trends and the development of specific recommendations to optimize the spatial development of the region.

Keywords

population of settlements, settlement, Indigenous peoples of the North, sustainable development, GIS

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For citation: Filippova V.V. Dynamics of population in the settlements of the indigenous peoples of the North in Yakutia in 1970–2020. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 3. P. 100–109. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-100-109 (in Russian)