Modern migration policy of Russia: Challenges and approaches to improvement

The article examines the role of immigration in the demographic dynamics of Russian society in 1990-2018. Key migration flows to Russia are described, including labor and educational migration, migration to a permanent place of residence. There is a significant compensatory role of external migration for depopulation in Russia. Problematic aspects of the Russian migration policies in terms of immigration management are analyzed. The necessity of a more precise structuring of the external and internal components of the migration policy for modern Russia is justified, and the necessity of transition of the migration management system from administering space to the economic field is outlined. Instruments for implementing external migration policy regarding flows of labor migrants from donor countries have been emphasized. The importance of integration policy issues to optimize the migration management system in Russia is noted. The concept of transferring «outposts» of the Russian migration policy abroad is justified in order to reduce costs. It is noted that immigration under a reasonable migration policy can be an important stimulating factor for Russia’s socio-economic development in the mid-term.