Assessment of the Demographic Reserve to Extend the Economic Activity of the Older Population in the Northern Region

Abstract

The development of the Russian North and Arctic requires labour resources, primarily from among local inhabitants. This goal can be achieved due to an increase in the retirement age in Russia; however, the involvement of local older population in social production is limited by health problems and low life expectancy. The study hypothesises that the extension of economic activity of older people in the northern regions is possible with an increase in their life expectancy. In order to assess the years of life lost according on the causes of death, statistical analysis of life expectancy at birth (LEB) and calculations of the eliminated reserves of mortality were performed. To this end, the research examined statistics of the Federal State Statistics Service on demographic processes in the Russian North and data of Arkhangelskstat on age-specific mortality rates of Arkhangelsk oblast, one of the regions of the Far North and areas equated to them. The obtained results indicate high rates of future years of life lost from all leading causes of death for older men. Diseases of the circulatory system and external causes of death among male population, and diseases of the circulatory system and neoplasms among female population are the main reasons for the reduction in life expectancy in Arkhangelsk oblast. The maximum reduction in mortality from diseases of the circulatory system would increase the life expectancy of the inhabitants of Arkhangelsk oblast by 6.17 years, which would help extend the economic activity of the older population. The research findings can be used to update national projects and regional programmes for the development of the healthcare system, as well as to improve the quality of life of the northern population.