Provision of Settlements in the Regions of the Near North with Educational and Health Care Institutions

Using the example of four regions of the Near North of Russia, the prevalence of educational and health care institutions in 22 thousand settlements (SS) of different status and size is analysed. The proportion of the population that has access to comprehensive or at least basic services at their place of residence is estimated. The dynamics of the population size is analysed depending on the provision of settlements with these institutions during the last intercensal period. The article is based on data collected from open sources on the availability of educational and health care institutions, as well as on population data based on the results of the All-Russian Census of Population of 2010 and 2020. In spite of the fact that educational institutions are available in 7.4% of populated areas, and health care institutions in 14%, the majority of the population (even without considering those living in large cities) is provided with basic services at their place of residence. Calculations are given for the provision of settlements of different sizes and administrative status with all types of educational and health care institutions. Despite the optimisation of the network of institutions, the provision of the population with them did not decrease during the 2010s, as the process of population decline and its concentration in larger settlements proceeded at an equally rapid pace. Regardless of the provision of settlements with educational and health care organisations, the reduction in their population was very significant.