https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.016.2024.04.459-470
УДК / UDC 94(470.51) ̒ ̒ 1989/2021’’:314.5
Marriage Structure of the Population of Udmurtia in 1989–2021
A. I. Azhigulova
Orenburg State Pedagogical University, Orenburg, Russian Federation
S. N. Uvarovb
Udmurt State Agricultural University, Izhevsk, Russian Federation
Abstract
Introduction. The article presents, for the first time, a historical and demographic study of the marital status of the population of Udmurtia from 1989 to 2021. The relevance of the topic is due to its insufficient study and the need to understand the reasons behind the sharp decline in the Udmurt population over the last two inter-census periods. The aim of the research is to identify the characteristics of changes in the marital structure of the Udmurt population in the Udmurt Republic during the period from 1989 to 2021.
Materials and Methods. The methodological foundation of the study is based on general scientific methods such as analysis, comparison, induction, and deduction. The following specialized scientific methods were also applied: comparative-historical, chronological, and statistical. The source base includes both published and unpublished census materials.
Results and Discussion. After reaching its peak in 1989, the population of Udmurts, as well as the proportion of those who are married, began to decline. However, among the Udmurts, the latter indicator decreased less significantly compared to the entire population of Udmurtia. Despite the widespread increase in cohabitation, it is too early to speak of informal relationships replacing the institutions of marriage and family. Moreover, current trends indicate growing trust in official marriages. Since 2002, both the number and proportion of those who have never been married have decreased. Marriages among Udmurts were more stable, as evidenced by the lower proportion of divorces.
Conclusion. Compared to the overall population of Udmurtia, the marital status of the Udmurt people was characterized by a lower proportion of divorced individuals, the absence of cohabitation trends, and fewer instances of remarriage. Largely due to these factors, the birth rate among the Udmurt people is higher. However, certain factors, such as the increasing proportion of divorced/separated individuals and the growing number of widowed Udmurts, raise concerns, highlighting the need for improvements in state policy regarding family and marriage.
Keywords: institution of marriage, marital structure, marital status, Udmurts, Udmurt Republic
Funding: The research was conducted with the support of the Russian Science Foundation Grant No. 23-28-01604 (available at https://rscf.ru/en/project/23-28-01604/) at the Udmurt State Agricultural University.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
For citation: Azhigulova A.I., Uvarov S.N. Marriage Structure of the Population of Udmurtia in 1989–2021. Finno-Ugric World. 2024;16(4):459–470. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.016.2024.04.459-470
Information about the authors:
Albina I. Azhigulova, Cand.Sci. (Hist.), Associate Professor of the Department of General History and Methods of Teaching History and Social Studies, Orenburg State Pedagogical University (19 Sovetskaya St., Orenburg 460014, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1345-8447, SPIN-code: 3390-8207, azhigylova@mail.ru
Sergey N. Uvarov, Cand.Sci. (Hist.), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Social and Humanitarian Disciplines, Udmurt State Agricultural University (11 Studencheskaya St., Izhevsk 426069, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6451-9245, SPIN-code: 7293-2112, sergey.uvarov@mail.ru
