Mongolia urbanization level. Modern Mongolia
By the end of the 21st century, the population of Mongolia may be reduced to 1 million
Mongolia belongs to countries with a small population, according to the latest data, only a little more than 2,400 thousand people live here. Such a small number of people living in a large area of 1.5 million km2 is due to many historical and economic factors.
The heyday of the Mongol Empire, the beginning of which was laid by Genghis Khan, fell on the XII-XIV centuries. The population rapidly increased due to the annexation of the conquered territories. Then, over the course of several centuries, Mongolia from a once strong rich state began to gradually turn into one of the most backward countries in the world, in which, as researchers note, 800 thousand people lived in the 18th century. In the same period, the population increased 3.1 times in China, 2.9 times in India, and 4 times in Russia.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the population of Mongolia was reduced to 500 thousand people, and it seemed that the country was waiting for a gradual extinction. According to the 1918 census, 648.1 thousand people lived here, of which 100 thousand Chinese, 5 thousand Russians and 540 thousand Mongols.
The people's revolution of 1921 gave a certain impetus to the revival of the nation, although the rate of population growth was slowed down until the 50s due to a number of reasons, the main of which were very high infant mortality and death from epidemics. The population of the country during this period reached only 772 thousand people.
However, starting from 1951, thanks to the consistent policy of the state aimed at improving the well-being and raising the standard of living of the Mongols, the demographic situation began to improve, and by the beginning of the 80s, Mongolia already had 1.5 million inhabitants. So, in 1956, 16.8 thousand children were born in the country, in 1960 - 40.7 thousand and the population growth was 43.2 people per 1000 population. True, it should be noted that this "peak" year did not continue, and a downward trend in birth rates began to be observed, which continued for the next 30 years.
With the beginning of democratic processes and economic reforms in Mongolia, as in many countries of the former socialist camp, a sharp deterioration in the demographic situation began to be traced. If in the 60-80s families with 5-7 and even 10 children were considered the norm in Mongolia, then the socio-economic crisis that has arisen in the country since the early 90s has had a negative impact on the birth rate. Having 2-3 children is now considered optimal for many families. Moreover, it was noted that the higher the well-being of the family, the fewer children in it. According to experts, the irreplaceable losses of the state over this 10-year period amounted to 300 thousand people - unborn citizens of the country.
Based on the materials of the 1989 population census, specialists from the National Statistical Bureau, together with scientists from the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia, made a forecast according to which by 2020 the population of the country could reach 4 million people.
Is this possible under the current conditions? In terms of lowering the birth rate, Mongolia today far surpasses even China, where a tough demographic policy is being pursued. According to the 1999 census data, 2,382,500 people lived in Mongolia, which is 16.1% more than in 1989. However, over the past 10 years, the average annual population growth has declined. At the same time, there is a significant bias towards the outflow of the population from the countryside to the city, which negatively affects the decline in the birth rate in the country, since the growth in the number of Mongolian residents mainly occurs in the countryside. Only in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, about 800 thousand people or almost a third of the country's population currently live.
Thus, it is becoming increasingly clear that by 2020 Mongolia is unlikely to be able to overcome even the 3.5 million barrier. As scientists say, population growth now is just the inertia of the period of the 70-80s, when the birth rate was at a higher level. This inertia will end when girls born during declining birth rates since the 1990s reach reproductive age. This period falls on 2010. It is from this period that the population growth will end and a downward trend will be outlined. And if this situation persists for several years, then, as scientists suggest, by the end of the 21st century, the country's population may decline and amount to 1 million people.
Demoscope's note. Reproducing the information-rich article by A. Altman, Demoscope still cannot agree with his interpretation of the decline in the birth rate in Mongolia from 5-7 and even 10 children per family to 2-3 as "a sharp deterioration in the demographic situation." Demoscope does not share the skeptical attitude of the author of the article to the outflow of the rural population to the cities. Both the decline in the birth rate and urbanization are global processes of the past and present centuries, without which social, economic and demographic modernization is impossible.
The essence of urbanization is to increase the role of cities in the life of the population, the development of urban relations. As a result, there are fewer rural residents, and the urban industry receives the necessary workers. This is happening in different parts of the world, for example, the urbanization of overseas Asia has become commonplace.
In the 20th century, Asia's population quadrupled in a relatively short period of time. This does not apply to the more distant regions of the east. And in the west and in the central regions, the population increased by 12 times.
Moreover, at the beginning of the century, the number of inhabitants grew gradually and insignificantly. In the second half of the century there was a population boom. It was associated with both the rapid pace of urbanization and the development of industry.
State | 1950 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 |
China | 580 | 830 | 980 | 1143 | 1283 | 1316 |
India | 338 | 556 | 688 | 839 | 1021 | 1103 |
Indonesia | 77 | 124 | 149 | 179 | 209 | 223 |
Pakistan | 35 | 65 | 83 | 110 | 143 | 158 |
Bangladesh | 42 | 69 | 87 | 109 | 129 | 142 |
Japan | 83 | 104 | 117 | 122 | 127 | 128 |
Vietnam | 27 | 43 | 54 | 66 | 79 | 84 |
Philippines | 21 | 39 | 49 | 61 | 76 | 83 |
Turkey | 21 | 35 | 45 | 57 | 68 | 73 |
Iran | 17 | 29 | 38 | 52 | 66 | 70 |
Thailand | 24 | 39 | 47 | 56 | 61 | 64 |
Myanmar | 19 | 27 | 34 | 41 | 48 | 51 |
Korea | 25 | 34 | 38 | 43 | 47 | 48 |
conditions for urbanization
Industrialization contributed to the influx of rural residents into larger settlements. The rural population as a class has practically ceased to exist in such states as Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. About 20 years ago, the People's Republic of China joined them.
But in countries that were colonies, there was an increase in both urban and rural residents. True, the increase in the population of cities took place much more intensively.
In the 1950s and 1970s, the number of workers in rural areas fell by 68%, while in industrial regions it increased by 12%. At the same time, more than 100 million workers, or a quarter of the total increase in rural residents, came to the agricultural sector.
Three Pillars of Urbanization
The difference between the urbanization of the West and Asia is that in Western countries the peasants changed their place of residence, due to which there was an increase in the urban population. In the eastern countries, there was an increase in urban residents.
However, with the countries of Asia, the population explosion played a cruel joke. High growth has created more poor and destitute.
Therefore, in the early 70s, bills were passed to limit the birth rate. This affected such states: China, North Korea, Singapore, Iran, Vietnam.
Indicators of life in cities
In the late 40s of the last century, 1/5 of the population of Asia was urban. By the 1980s - if you do not take into account the countries that have seriously succeeded in the agricultural industry: China, Indonesia and others - people living in cities made up 44%.
Countries where cities and city dwellers play a key role
The beginning of the 21st century was the impetus for the urbanization of Iran (62% of city dwellers), Malaysia (57%) and the Philippines (59%). Already most Asian countries had 42% of the townspeople. But the rural population, despite urbanization, still prevails in this part of the world.
Most rural residents live in five countries: India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There are many peasants among the population of Thailand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Myanmar and Nepal.
The largest increase in the population of cities was recorded in the 50s. This was facilitated by the industrialization of large cities. Many additional jobs were organized, which led to an influx of rural residents.
Cultural centers and educational institutions were opened. There was such a phenomenon as metropolisation: the suburbs of large cities became their full-fledged parts.
At the same time, large-scale industry did not occupy a leading place in. Many remained to work in the services and small industries. This did not allow people to have high earnings.
Of course, each country has its own economic level of development. But the technical progress of large countries is increasingly absorbing small industries.
Reasons for rapid urbanization
Several factors can be distinguished: economic, social, migration and demographic, administrative and external.
- The growth of the economy of large countries. This applies to Japan, China, India. Thanks to this, the cities expanded both territorially and in terms of population.
- The growth of modern technologies has led to the formation of new industries, to the opening of new positions, which has accelerated the process of urbanization in large cities.
- Higher incomes and living standards in cities encourage rural residents to go there in order to improve their social status and earnings.
- In cities, you can get a high level of education. And young people strive to get it in order to earn a living with an attractive profession and help relatives in poor areas.
- The surplus of labor force in the villages encourages people to go to the city.
- In China and India, the birth rate is limited at the legislative level. But the number of urban residents does not change due to migration from rural areas. This helps to avoid large declines in natural population growth in major urban centers.
- Changes in administrative boundaries. Once rural areas can be attached to cities. This increases the population of the latter without moving villagers.
- Investments come to large cities from foreign countries, the standard of living of which is much higher. Branches of transnational companies are opening, where the work is stable.
Video: interesting facts about Asia
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Mongolia is a country that is located in East Asia, borders on Russia, China and has no access to the sea. Vast territories of the country, some of which are not very suitable for life, are unevenly populated. At the same time, Mongolia boasts a rapid pace of economic development and a fairly high standard of living for the population. Mongolia has observer status in most international organizations.
Brief history of the state
The first attempts to establish the Mongolian state were made by disunited tribes that settled the territory of modern Mongolia 850 thousand years ago, in the 4th century BC. The Huns then united to fight the Chinese tribes and ruled over the Mongolian steppe until 93 BC. Later, the Hunnic Empire was replaced by several Kirghiz, Turkic and Mongol khanates. None of them managed to gain a foothold in the Mongolian lands for a long time: a nomadic lifestyle, militancy and insufficiently authoritative power - all this caused disunity.
A more stable union of tribes went down in history under the name Khamag Mongol and became the basis of the future Mongol Empire led by Genghis Khan. But already from the end of the 13th century, cultural differences, the death of the strongest ruler, the endless redistribution of power and the heterogeneity of the population of the state caused the beginning of the disintegration of the Golden Horde.
For the next several centuries, the Mongolian steppes were occupied by various rulers, empires and nationalities: the Yuan Empire, the Northern Yuan dynasty, the Chinese Qing Empire, ruled by the Manchu dynasty, until 1911. When the Xinhai Revolution thundered in China, which put an end to the empire, and a national revolution arose in Mongolia itself, statehood as such did not exist on the territory of modern Mongolia.
New Mongolia in 1915 was recognized as an autonomous part of the Republic of China, and nine years later, the independence of the state was proclaimed again (for the first time in 1911). However, until the end of World War II, the independence of Mongolia was recognized only by the USSR.
The Mongolian People's Republic was characterized by some features of Soviet power: repression, collectivization, destruction of monasteries, and later perestroika. The aggression of Japan was reflected by the joint actions of the USSR and Mongolia. The modern history of Mongolia began with the adoption of a new Constitution in 1992 and a change in political course.
State structure and politics
Mongolia is a parliamentary republic with a diverse population. The head of state is the president, the executive power is represented by the government, the legislative power is represented by the parliament, which is called the State Great Khural. In the localities, power remains in the hands of local governments, which are elected for a term of four years.
In 2008, a domestic political crisis occurred in Mongolia, which provoked riots in the capital of the state (Ulaanbaatar) and caused a change of government and re-election of the president. The current president of the state is Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, and the ruling party is the Mongolian People's Party (MNP).
Geography of Mongolia
In terms of territory, the state occupies the nineteenth place in the world, being quite large. The area of Mongolia is 1,564,116 km², which is commensurate, for example, with half of Yakutia. Most of the country (in terms of geographical features) is occupied by a plain with several towering ridges and mountain ranges. The Gobi Desert is located in the southern part of Mongolia.
All sources of fresh water originate in the mountains and are fed by several large tributaries. There are a large number of lakes in Mongolia, many of which are temporary, that is, they form during the rainy season and disappear during the drought.
The area of Mongolia and the location of the state make the climate sharply continental. The average temperature in the winter season ranges from -25 to -35 degrees, in summer it is within the same values with a plus sign. Precipitation decreases from northwest to south.
Administrative division of the state
Mongolia, whose population is unevenly distributed over the territory of the state, is divided into 21 aimaks, with a total of 329 somons, and the capital Ulaanbaatar. The largest city is expectedly the capital, with one and a half million permanent residents. The administrative center is followed in terms of population by the aimag Khuvsgel (114 thousand people), Dornogovi (109 thousand people) and Uverkhangay (100 thousand people).
A characteristic feature of Mongolia is the presence of temporary settlements, in connection with which an address system different from the standard is used. So, in Mongolia there are no usual names of cities, streets, numbers of houses and apartments, and addresses are replaced by digital codes that allow you to locate an object on the ground with an accuracy of one meter. Moreover, the longer the code, the more accurately you can determine the location of the object. The system is suitable for use on a global scale, and is actively used in digital cartography and navigation systems.
Economy of Mongolia
The economy of Mongolia is developing extremely dynamically, and the state itself is the largest sales market in the entire Asia-Pacific region. According to the latest forecasts, the state's economy will grow at least 15% per year in the short term.
The main industries of Mongolia are represented by:
- mining (20% of GDP) and mineral resources;
- agriculture (16% of GDP);
- transport (13%);
- trade (also 13%).
Considering the employment of the population, it can be noted that most of the able-bodied citizens are employed in agriculture (41%), slightly less in the service sector.(29%) and trade (14%).
Mongolia sends oil products, equipment (both industrial and industrial) and consumer goods for import (the population is provided with everything necessary). The main partners in international trade are Russia, China, Japan and South Korea.
Financial sector
The Central Bank has the same functions as similar institutions in other states. The currency of Mongolia is the Mongolian tugrik, which was put into circulation in 1925. To date, the average exchange rate is: 2405 tugriks = 1 US dollar. Despite the fact that there is a national currency of Mongolia, the US dollar is also in circulation (it is used in almost all areas, except for paying for public services) and the Russian ruble or euro, which are accepted in small shops (mainly in the capital) and markets.
By the way, prices in Mongolia pleasantly surprise tourists. You can buy memorable souvenirs, products made of natural wool and leather, carpets in the capital at a lower cost than in Russia. Food prices are moderate. So, lunch will cost an average of 6-7 dollars.
State population: general characteristics
The population of Mongolia is characterized by mono-ethnicity, the predominant number of urban population (even despite the large employment in agriculture), positive natural growth, a large number of dialects in the language of the population and a diverse religious composition.
State population
The population of Mongolia according to the data for 2015 is 3 million 57 thousand people. The inhabitants of the capital account for one third of the total number of citizens. The nature of the resettlement of citizens across the territory of the state will be discussed in more detail below.
The natural increase of the population is 28 persons per 1000 citizens per year. This fact allowed the population of Mongolia to quadruple between 1950 and 2007. Back in 1918, the population of Mongolia was only 647 thousand people, and by 1969 it was already twice as many. Any correct data on the number of inhabitants until 1918 was not preserved due to the difficult history of the formation of statehood, when the territories of Mongolia were part of other countries, and the indigenous population was oppressed.
Density and population distribution
The average population density in Mongolia is almost 2 people per square kilometer. This indicator was the reason for placing the state in last place (195th line) in the list of world population density. The most densely populated (5-6 people per square kilometer) in Mongolia are the valley of the Orkhon River and the mountainous regions of Khangai - the most livable areas to the west of the capital.
Vast territories (40%) of the state are unsuitable for a comfortable life due to natural features. The population density is a record one person per 10-15 square kilometers, part of the territories remains completely uninhabited.
Ethnic and national composition
Mongolia (the population is predominantly representatives of the Mongolian group) is a mono-ethnic state. The dominant ethnic group is divided into several clans of Turkic origin, sub-ethnic groups and close ethnographic groups.
In addition to the indigenous population, which makes up just over 82% in total, Turks, Russians and Chinese live in the country. There are only 1,500 Russians in Mongolia, while as many as 20,000 lived in the late 1980s. Mostly Old Believers fled to the neighboring state, fleeing religious persecution in their homeland. There are currently several hundred Chinese living in Mongolia, while in the 60s the number of immigrants from China in Mongolia reached 25 thousand people.
Language and writing in Mongolia
The diversity of closely related ethnic groups predetermines minor, but still pronounced linguistic differences. The state (Mongolian) includes several dialects:
- Oirat;
- directly Mongolian;
- Buryat;
- hamnigan.
Turkic dialects are also widespread:
- Kazakh;
- Tuvan;
- Tsaatan-Soyot.
Teaching in the capital of the state is also conducted in Kazakh.
In 1945, the Mongolian language was translated into Cyrillic with the addition of two more distinct letters. Old Mongolian is not used today, although attempts to restore the language have been repeatedly made. To this day, Tibetan is widely used in religious practices, in which works of art, religious and scientific treatises were written in past centuries.
Religious affiliation of the population
The main religion in Mongolia is modified Buddhism (53%). At the same time, in the capital, the majority of Christian, not Buddhist temples (197 versus 63). Most of the population are atheists (38%). Religious diversity is also represented by Islam, shamanism, Christianity and some other religions.
Standards of living
Mongolia, whose standard of living in most sources remains beyond the scope of the narrative, is a fairly developed state with a stable economy. Until now, people leading a nomadic lifestyle have remained in the country, but their existence is facilitated by the numerous benefits of civilization. The capital is similar to most modern cities. So, today Mongolia is confidently opening a “window to the big world” for itself.