Genetic Demography of the Population of Moscow: Migration Processes

Estimation of the main genetic-demographic parameters of migration processes significant for studying the structure of the gene pool of the Moscow population is based on the analysis of demographic statistics, All-Russia population censuses, and data from a sample survey of two groups of Moscow residents differing in age characteristics: “older” group, mean year of birth 1948; “younger” group, mean year of birth 1987. A significant increase in the intensity and distance of migration to Moscow over the past 40 years was demonstrated. The migration coefficient calculated according to the survey data of the “older” group of Muscovites is 0.413 for men and 0.517 for women; the average migration radius is 1008 km; according to the survey data of the “younger” group, the migration coefficient is 0.636 for men and 0.657 for women; the average migration radius is 1782 km. Gender peculiarities of migration processes in Moscow were detected; they cause significant differences in age and sex composition of urban residents of different nationalities (a numerical predominance of men among the members of “young” ethnic diasporas). Data on the sources of formation of the gene pool of the Moscow population at the present stage demonstrate that the portion of those born in Russia in the “older” age group (89%) is much higher than in the “younger” group (76%). In the first case, the gene pool is formed by 3/4 owing to the population of the Central Federal District (CFD); the contribution of the Volga Federal District and Ukraine is noticeable; in the second case, only half of the respondents were born in the CFD; there are many natives of the Volga, North Caucasus, Southern, and Siberian districts, the republics of Central Asia, Ukraine, and Armenia. The survey data are confirmed by the analysis of data on migration statistics of Rosstat Agency about the composition of migrants to Moscow by country of exit. Differences in migration parameters in the two age groups indicate the possibility of dynamics of the ethnoterritorial composition of the Moscow population in subsequent generations, which will certainly cause a change in the frequencies of many genetic markers, including frequency profiles of DNA-based identification markers. The peculiarities of migration processes in Moscow identified in this study indicate the need for timely renewal and updating of genetic databases for DNA-based identification purposes in a megalopolis.