Approaches to Assessing Russia’s Migration Potential

The article is devoted to the analysis of migration potential of Russia abroad, considering its relevance inthe context of global changes and demographic crisis in the country. The study is based on population census data, expert estimates, and own calculations. The research methodology contains a study of the theoretical foundations of the topic and an analysis of the estimates of migration potential presented in the scientific literature, including an assessment of their actuality and applicability. The historical dynamics of the spread of the Russian language, its role in the formation of Russian-speaking communities abroad, and the possibilities of using migration potential to strengthen international relations and solve demographic problems in Russia are explored. Based on the results of the work, it is concluded that the existing studies on migration potential are significantly outdated and require updating. It is noted that the factors ofmigration potential are the population number and migration attitudes that influence the decision to leave the country of residence. Previously, to study the latter aspects, it was necessary to conduct sociological surveys, which significantly limited the availability and comparability of the obtained results. Currently, it is possible to use alternative sources ofinformation, such as electronic social networks, search engines, etc. The conclusion of the paper highlights the need toupdate data on migration potential using alternative data. The scientific contribution of the article is to interpret theimportance of creating a comprehensive assessment of migration potential, which can guide government agencies toeffectively use resources to work with the Russian-speaking population outside the country. The results of the study can be applied in the field of migration policy.