Population dynamics of the Ancient Russian state (late IX – early XIII centuries)

The paper proposes and implements an approach to determining the secular dynamics of population growth in the Ancient Russian state from the late IX to the early XIII century. The basis for constructing the dy namics are separate population estimates obtained in previous years by a number of domestic and foreign researchers. An analysis of these estimates and the assumptions used to obtain them made it possible to adjust the available results and obtain missing data for periods of time for which such estimates were not available. In particular, for the first time an attempt was made to determine the population size at the end of the IX - beginning of the X century. The results show that from the first century of its existence until the period preceding the Mongol invasion, the population of the Ancient Russian state increased (taking into account the increase in territory) by 3.1-3.8 times. The average growth rate over the centuries was: in the XII century - about 50%, in the XI century - about 30% and in the X century - about 70%. In the X century, the main population growth was due to the annexation of new territories. Directly, the demographic growth of the population in comparable territories during this period was 10-15%.