The disparity in development across the Volga-Ural region: A fragile semi-periphery

The issue of regional development in relation to the reproduction of human capital is becoming increasingly urgent every year. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the potential for redistributing human resources within meso- and macro-territorial systems. Using the example of the Volga-Ural macro-region in Russia, the main areas with varying growth potential are considered. Special attention is given to the semi-peripheral or equilibrium zone. Based on data from 2018 to 2023, we analyze changes in the quality of urban environments and urban population dynamics in the Volga-Ural region. Using the example of the Saratov region, we show changes in the distribution of cities according to populationsize. Factors at differentspatial levelsthat influencethe balance between developing, equilibrium, and depressive areas are identified. The conclusion is drawn about the difficult economic situation of settlements in the equilibrium zone and their exhaustion as a source of human capital for central cities.