In 2012, Irkutsk kept growing. The permanent population increased by 8322 people to 606.2 thousand. Growth came from record high birth rates and steady migration growth. Mortality was stabilized at 2011 level and was lower than in Irkutsk Region and Russia overall.

In 2012, the positive trend in population reproduction continued: the birth rate increased, migration growth rose, and the mortality rate stabilized. According to preliminary data, in 2012 the permanent population of Irkutsk increased by 8,322 people and as of January 1, 2013, amounted to 606.2 thousand people. The number of residents increased by 25% due to natural increase and by 75% due to migration growth.
The positive dynamics of the birth rate influenced the further increase in the city’s natural population growth. In 2012, natural increase amounted to 2,044 people, which is 14.9% higher than the previous year’s figure.
Since the beginning of 2012, the overall birth rate has increased from 14.9 to 15.4 people per 1,000 residents. Such a birth rate level has not been recorded in the city since 1990. The city’s birth rate significantly exceeds the national average of 13.3. The number of births exceeded the number of deaths by more than 28% (last year – by 25%).
Measures aimed at improving the organization of medical care and increasing its accessibility, preventing socially significant diseases, and preserving the health of workers in production made it possible to stabilize the mortality rate at the 2011 level – 11.9 per 1,000 population. The mortality rate in Irkutsk is 1.9 per mille lower than in the Irkutsk Region and 1.4 per mille lower than in Russia. Since 2005, there have been no cases of maternal mortality in the city.
The attractiveness of Irkutsk for permanent residence is increasing, and for five years a positive migration balance has been maintained.
In 2012, 19,510 people arrived in Irkutsk for residence (including those registered for temporary stay), while 13,232 people left the city.
Compared with 2011, the number of arrivals increased by 23.3%, and the number of departures by 15.8%. Migration growth reached 6,278 people and exceeded the previous year’s figure by 2.6%. Over five years, migration growth has increased by more than 2.5 times.
The largest share of arrivals is made up of people of working age, which has a positive effect on replenishing the labor force.
About 50% of migrants have higher (incomplete higher) and secondary vocational education. Compared with 2011, the share of migrants with higher and secondary education increased.
Considering the circumstances of changing residence, more than half of those who remained to live in Irkutsk are migrants aged 14 and older who arrived for study, and 38.4% arrived for work. The rest changed their place of residence for personal, family, and other reasons.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk city administration