THE MAIN PROBLEMS OF THE DEMOGRAPHICAL DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION OF RURAL SETTLEMENT IN THE KUR-ARAZ LOWLAND

Abstract

The main aim of research work consists of analyzing demographic development in the lowland regions of Azerbaijan. Rural settlement covers whole territory of Azerbaijan and rural population is about half of the total population. That is why, regulation of rural settlement system is one of the most important socio-demographical issues. As main socio-demographic indicators were used data of the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, materials of the population census in 1999 and 2009, results of research in the field of demography and economic geography. The research showed that rural settlement occupies an important place in the placement of the population of countries. Kur-Araz lowland is characterized by a relatively high concentration of the rural population and actually covers the territory of the Aran economic region. 20,2% of the total population and 9% of the country's rural population live
here. 790 villages are located in the territory of mentioned region and it is 18,6% of total rural settlement of country. In the years of independence, significant changes have been observed in the demographic development of rural settlement. Due to economic difficulties of the transition period in the 90s of the last century, natural increase and birth rate decreased, the number of children in families decreased several times, the migration activity increased. Despite of the high proportion of the rural population, the difference in the natural increase and birth rate decreased in the country. However, the level of natural growth still ensures the growth of the population. The low economic base of cities and settlements does not allow preserving the demographic potential in the places. Therefore, the migration of the population continues.