Issues of the impact of the migration processes on urban settlement in the Nakhchivan economic region

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Nakhchivan Universty, Baku, Azerbaijan

Issues of the impact of the migration processes on urban settlement in the Nakhchivan economic region

Aliyeva Turkana

Abstract

migration urban settlement

Purpose. The main purpose of the research work is to study the migration processes in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, especially the progress of migration in urban settlements, how it changes in different administrative regions? and the factors affecting it.

Methods. While carrying out the research work, the data of the demography department of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee and using relevant literature materials, the effect of the migration process on urban settlement and demographic processes were used. The research work was prepared based on the mathematical - analytical, historical-comparative methods.

Results. In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the occupation policy of the 1980s, and later the difficulties of the crisis period, lowered the Living Standard Index and led to the acceleration of migration. Due to the socioeconomic situation, the population left the villages and a small part concentrated in the cities. Each factor affecting the intensity and direction of migration determines the attractiveness coefficient of the area. Based on the statistical data for 2021, when we calculate the attractiveness coefficient of the cities in the Nakhchivan economic region, it is evident that the most attractiveness coefficient falls to the city of Nakhchivan.

Scientific innovations. In the article, for the first time, how migration processes change in the urban settlements of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the factors affecting this change and ways to eliminate them are studied.

Practical significance. The results obtained from the article can be used in the regulation of migration processes in the Republic of Azerbaijan and its various regions.

Keywords: Urban population, migration, natural increase, demography

Introduction

Migration is the process of determining the demographic situation and socioeconomic development of the country, and its various regions. Although socio-political processes influence the intensity and direction of migration in the Nakhchivan economic region during the historical period, the socio-economic situation in modern times determines the direction of migration and it is voluntary rather than mandatory. Migration has a special role in the growth of cities. The migration process is important for the optimal allocation of labour resources and the acceleration of the economic development of regions, reducing the difference between settlements. [9, p. 114]. In this respect, the correct organization of the Unified Settlement System depends on the regulation of the direction of the migration process. Related to a large number of workplaces in urban areas, the population is more concentrated, and in rural areas, the opposite process is taking place. Rural areas have high natural increases and limited job opportunities. As a consequence of this, the population migrates from rural to urban places [6, p.40]. In addition to this, owing to the low socio-cultural level in villages, the inadequacy of business opportunities, seasonal work, and other reasons (difficulty in dividing households according to the number of children, young people preferring to work in cities, etc.), the population migrates to cities.

Material and methods

While carrying out the research work, the data of the demography department of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee and using relevant literature materials, the effect of the migration process on urban settlement and demographic processes were used. Especially, Z.N. Eminov (2005), H. M. Tahirova (2016), R.N. Karimov (2016), and other researchers' works were used in the research procedure. The research work was prepared based on the mathematical-analytical, historical- comparative methods.

Results of the study

The Living Standard Index (LSI) is one of the indicators that determine the direction and intensity of the migration flow [4, p.41]. In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the occupation policy of the 1980s, and later the difficulties of the crisis period, lowered the Living Standard Index and led to the acceleration of migration. Due to the socio-economic situation, the population left the villages and a small part concentrated in the cities.

Each factor affecting the intensity and direction of migration determines the attractiveness coefficient of the area [1, p.155]. Based on the statistical data for 2021, when we calculate the attractiveness coefficient of the cities in the Nakhchivan economic region, it is evident that the most attractiveness coefficient falls to the city of Nakhchivan (Table 1).

Table 1. Attractiveness index of urban areas in 2021

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee.

In 2021, the attractiveness coefficient of the area in terms of urban areas in the economic region was in the Shahbuz, Julfa, and Sadarak administrative regions, along with the city of Nakhchivan. However, this coefficient has changed under the influence of political p rocesses during the historical period. The migration balance of the urban population was positive in the Nakhchivan economic district during 19881990 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The migration of the urban population in the Nakhchivan economic region

Source: [3, p. 82]

The severe socio-economic and political problems of the 80s led to the settlement of 250000 Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. However, this population is mostly settled in rural areas. Among the regions of the republic, the least populated area of IDPs (0.2%) and refugees (0.6%) is Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic [7]. About 5000 people have become refugees from the village of Karki, a border village of Nakhchivan with Armenia, for which plots of land have been allocated, and modern residential buildings have been built in the town of Hyderabad (the centre of Sadarak). Although the overall migration growth in 1980-1987 received negative values, there was a negative migration balance in urban areas only in 1984. Out of 11,9 thousand people who moved from the villages, 1700 people settled in Autonomous Republic's cities. The number of those who left was more than 10000 [3]. When the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was a part of the former Soviet Union, there was almost no external flow in relation to the current situation. As of 1990, the type and directions of migration in the republic began to change and took a more intensive form. The population, experiencing a severe economic crisis, flocked to foreign countries. From 1991 to 2000, almost one-fifth of the 55,6 thousand population multiplied by natural growth, left the economic region [3. p. 82].

In the Nakhchivan economic region, the migration processes were intensive in the two main regions, in the Nakhchivan-Babak industrial junction, and in Sharur. The process of migration has been passive due to the non-operation of many mining and industrial enterprises in the Ordubad and the suspension of Julfa's transport activities. Since 1992, the opening of the "Umud" bridge between Turkey and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has increased the migration of the population abroad. Most of those who left were working-age men. 70-90 thousand people migrated to the Republic of Turkey every year to work [11]. The family migration of the population to the Republic of Turkey took place approximately after 2000 years. The people of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic prefer to go to the Russian Federation among the CIS countries. Earlier this migration was dominated by the educated class of the population, but later those who suffered financially began to flow. Among the administrative regions, the Ordubad administrative district is the first on the list according to the number of leaving. There is a fluctuating migration between the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since the 2000s, due to the establishment of political stability, the number of people leaving has started to decrease. In 2005, the number of people who went to the Republic of Turkey decreased from 60,000 to 40,000 in 2008 [8, p. 176].

Until 2000, among those who left the economic district to find temporary work, young men prevailed, but after 2000, the number of family members who left for permanent residence increased. During the years 2000-2010, the migration growth of the urban population was positive with 11,2 thousand people (Table 2).

Table 2. Natural and migration growth of urban population in the Nakhchivan economic region in 2000-2010 (in thousands of people)

During the years 2000-2010, of 23,3 thousand people increased with the total increase, 12,1 thousand increased due to natural growth, and 11,2 thousand due to arrivals (Table 2). During the years 2002, 2003, and 2010, the increase in migration had a greater impact on the overall growth of the urban population. The adoption of the initial " State Programs on the socioeconomic development of the regions" covering the years 2004-2008 laid the foundation for settlement and provision of effective employment. In 2008, up to 4500 permanent workplaces were opened for effective employment. The fact that most of the newly created workplaces are located in the city of Nakhchivan has led to the migration of the population to this city. Due to the fact that Nakhchivan is a socio-economic centre and academically important, the migration balance of the population has been positive. In the city of Nakhchivan in 2003, the main part of the total growth was due to arrivals (Table 3).

Table 3. Migration of urban population in Nakhchivan in 2000-2010 (thousands of people)

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee.

During the years 2000-2010, 3,1 thousand of the 10,3 thousand people in the city of Nakhchivan were people who came to the city (Table 3). During this period, as economic stability was gradually restored, the migration balance received contrasting values. From 2001 to 2002, the balance of migration did not affect the overall growth (Table 3).

The State programs covering the years 2009-2013 gave impetus to socio-economic development. The opening of new jobs and the organization of social infrastructure led to the improvement of quantitative indicators in the migration process (Table 4).

Table 4. Natural and migration growth of urban population in Nakhchivan economic region in 2012-2020 (in person)

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee

During 2012-2014, the migration growth of the urban population in the Nakhchivan economic region was 3,9% of the total growth. In 2015-2016, the migration balance was negative, and 260 of the 2378 people who increased by natural growth left the city. In the period after 2017, the migration balance was positive (Table 4).

During the period of 2012-2020, natural growth prevailed in the total growth. Only 9,7% of the urban population increase was due to migration (Table 4).

In 2020, the rapid spread of the pandemic and the quarantine measures implemented by the country did not leave an impact on the demographic processes. The decline in marriages has affected the birth rate, the change in natural growth rates, and the migration balance. The number of foreign migrants in the autonomous republic cannot be determined. The main reasons for this are the fact that there are people who go to other countries without passport registration and the freedom of movement of the population [5, p. 31].

Table 5. Migration of the urban population in the economic region in 2012-2020 (in person)

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee.

During 2012-2020, 3759 urban residents left the economic district, and 5138 people arrived. As a result, the migration balance was 1369 people (Table 5). Migration indicators in the economic region change mainly due to the city of Nakhchivan. Thus, 78,9% of arrivals and 61,1% of departures during 20112020 fell to the share of Nakhchivan city. The number of people who came to the city was 1751 more than those who left. In urban areas of Kangarli, Babek and Sadarak districts, the number of arrivals was greater than the number of departures. In the urban areas of the Sharur, Ordubad, and Julfa districts, the migration indicators of the last 10 years indicated that the number of those who left was greater than those who arrived. In the Shahbuz district, the migration balance of the urban population has received a negative value (Table 5).

Table 6. Natural increase and migration of urban population in administrative districts in 2012-2020 (thousands of people)

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee.

In 2010-2020, 61.39 thousand people came to the cities of the Autonomous Republic (Table 5).

In 2010-2020, the urban population in Nakhchivan city and Babek district by administrative regions increased more due to the immigrant population (Figure 2).

Figure 2. The number of arrivals in the Nakhchivan economic region during 2012-2020 (in person)

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee

Thus, 78,3% of the population in Nakhchivan city and 97,4% of the total increase in Babek district increased due to migration. 80,8% of the total increase of the urban population in the economic region was due to the balance of migration (Figure 2).

Figure 3. The number of leavings in the Nakhchivan economic region during 2012-2020 (in person)

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee

The number of people leaving urban areas decreased from 2010 to 2014, and in 2014, the figure increased sharply and reached 571 people. Since 2014, the number of departures has gradually decreased (Figure 3).

In the Autonomous Republic, in addition to the Nehram and Julfa settlements, which received settlement status in recent years, in the Sharur, Ordubad, Shahbuz, and Badamli settlements, the number of leavings was greater than arrivals, and the migration balance received negative values. In 2020, only the cities of Nakhchivan, Babek, Julfa, Aliabad, Givrag, and Heydarabad settlements received a positive trend (Table 7).

Table 7. The migration of population by cities and towns in 2020

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee.

Table 8. Dynamics of the gender composition of migration in cities during 2011-2020

Source: The table was compiled based on the data of the Nakhchivan State Statistics Committee

It is also important is sueto solve the gender problem in the regulation of migration processes. During 2011-2020, there were more women in migration processes in the Autonomous Republic. Among the arrivals in 2016 and 2017, the share of both women and men was high. The increase in the number of departures occurred in 2011 and 2014 (Table 8). Currently, the measures implemented within the framework of the State Programs have led to the settlement of the population in the villages, providing employment to the population as a result of the state support for entrepreneurship, and the establishment of private farms. Furthermore, the distribution and assignment of higher school graduates, taking measures for them under preferential conditions (provision of housing, salary supplement, etc.) is important in the regulation of migration processes [2].

Conclusions and suggestions

In the autonomous republic, migration is mostly aimed at getting married, moving to relatives, and getting an education.

In the process of migration, gender and age characteristics should also be taken into account. Although in the 90s, men predominated among those who came and went, in modern times, women are more involved in this process. Weakening control over this process will lead to problems such as population aging and gender inequality.

Another reason for the increase in the migration balance in cities is the decrease in the need to use the labour force in enterprises. High mechanisation has reduced the demand for handicrafts. As a result, the unemployed population migrates to the city of Nakhchivan.

During the last 9-10 years, the negative balance of migration in the Sharur, Ordubad, Julfa, and Shahbuz urban areas leads to urban settlement and loss of labour resources. Regulation of this process will lead to the demographic development of cities.

One of the important issues is not to lose qualified personnel while regulating the migration process. If this process is not regulated, there is an increase in the imbalance between demand and supply for professions that are more in demand in the labour market and other negative socio-economic consequences.

References

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2. State Migration Program of the Republic of Azerbaijan. "Republic" newspaper. Baku, 2006, July 26.

3. Eminov, Z.N. (2005). Population of Azerbaijan, Baku, 560 p.

4. A brief explanatory dictionary of population and development terms. (2008). Azerbaijan. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

5. Gasimov, E. Geography of territorial organization and development of economy in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. (2011). Baku,Teaching materials.

6. Pashayev, N.A., Ayyubov, N.H., Eminov, Z.N. (2010). Economic, social, and political geography of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 416 p.

7. Shahverdiyev, Z.A. Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 1991-2001. (2002) Nakhchivan, 33 p.

8. Tahirova, H.A. (2011). The impact of migration processes on the regulation of the demographic situation of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Baku State University.

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