Demographic development of the population of Racha

Abstract

Racha is one of Georgia's historical regions, which, according to the country's current administrative division, consists of the municipalities of Ambrolauri and Oni. The origins of the current acute demographic situation in Racha should be sought in the negative demographic processes that have been going on for decades, which were mainly due to small landholdings, limited natural conditions and the most acute socio-economic processes that developed in Georgia as a result of the well-known events in the 90s of the last century, as a result of which the total population and fertility sharply decreased, the process of increasing mortality and
demographic aging of the population was progressively ongoing, emigration processes reached large scales. For decades, Racha has experienced negative natural population growth regime. Today, the demographic potential of Racha's population is quite low. The population projections based on this potential are pessimistic. According to the medium projection scenario if the current demographic situation continues in the future, in 2024-2044, the population of Racha will decrease from 15.4 thousand inhabitants to 8.4 thousand. In the presented article, based on the relevant official statistical information and calculations of the authors, the demographic situation of Racha in the past, present and future is analyzed.