Real and Nominal Numbers of Rural Settlements in Present-Day Russia and Its Regions

The paper discusses the problem of so-called “populated places with no population,” or, in other words, unpopulated settlements. It is approved that the accounting for these rural settlements in statistical reporting tends to distort the actual situation with the settlement pattern and development of territories. It is suggested to differentiate between real and nominal numbers of settlements. Data are presented with regards to the number and share of settlements with no population in the Russian Federation, its economic areas, and federal subjects. Differences between municipal districts are pointed out, using the case of Tver oblast. The actual state of settlements recorded as populated places with no population is revealed. It is proposed to amend the accounting rules for statistical reporting on rural settlements.