The Demographic Transition of the Buryat Residing in the Republic of Buryatia in the 1959-2010s

Abstract

The article presents the results of research on the demographic statistics, population dynamics, birth and death rates, and age composition of Buryats residing in the Republic of Buryatia in the 1959-2010s. Drawing on the analysis of Soviet and Russian population censuses, we examine the reproduction statistics and trends of demographic transition among the Buryats. We show various factors that have an impact on this transition, such as social, class, and educational structure of the society, degree of its urbanization, state policies and economic reforms. We argue that the population numbers of the Buryats during the period under consideration increased significantly due to their starting position at the earlier stages of demographic modernization that were characterized by high birth rates and comparatively low mortality rates.