A Comparative Analysis of Dynamics of Population Change: Regional Features

This article conducts a comparative analysis of demographic changes in the Azerbaijan Republic and Canada over a ten-year period (2014–2023), focusing on births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The study utilizes data from official government statistics of both countries. Key findings indicate that Azerbaijan has a younger population compared to Canada, attributed to national family traditions valuing larger families, while Canada’s higher percentage of seniors is linked to the quality and availability of healthcare services. The Rate of Natural Increase (RNI) has declined in both countries, with a more rapid decrease in Azerbaijan. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Azerbaijan’s Crude Birth Rate (CBR), Crude Death Rate (CDR), and RNI, showing a sharp trough in RNI and a peak in CDR in 2021, whereas Canada’s rates were not as visibly affected. Marriage rates declined in both nations, with a more pronounced and earlier decline in Azerbaijan, potentially contributing to the decrease in CBR. Notably, divorce rates showed contrasting trends: a 61.5 $$\%$$ increase in Azerbaijan and a 44.4 $$\%$$ decrease in Canada over the decade. Correlation analysis reveals a positive correlation between marriages and births in both countries (stronger in Azerbaijan), but opposite correlations between marriages and divorces, and divorces and CBR. The Azerbaijani model aligns with traditional family formation norms, whereas the Canadian model exhibits emerging trends. The studies have been conducted by a group of scientists from the Azerbaijan Republic (within the framework of the scientific program of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics of the Azerbaijan Medical University in 2023–2024) and Canada.