Demographic Characteristics of Labor Resources Formation and Use in the Largest Cities of Russia in 2019–2021

Abstract

The article examines the demographic characteristics of labor resources formation in Russian cities with a population of over a million. The research reveals the role of migration in replenishing largest cities’ labor resources, which corresponds to E.G.Ravenstein’s law that large cities grow mainly due to migration. Based on indicators of demographic well-being, the author gives an assessment of the demographic situation in the largest cities. It has been established that during the pandemic, the intensity of migration processes decreases, and its recovery occurs in cities at different rates. The article presents an analysis of structural changes in employment for large groups of industries and types of economic activity– commodity-producing industries, infrastructure, and social spheres. The reserves for increasing employment in the largest cities are considered. Emphasis is placed on increasing the labor activity of internal migrants, who have advantages compared to foreign labor. The research reveals a significant differentiation of wages across the largest cities, which creates unequal conditions for the reproduction of the labor force. It also determines ratings of the largest cities in terms of generation replacement, employment, unemployment, wages, and the social sphere. The author proposes a development in the system of strategic planning documents of a block of indicators characterizing the achievement of demographic well-being and increasing the efficiency of using the labor potential of the largest cities.