Penza, 2 December 2014. PenzaNews. Natalya Zubarevich, Doctor of Geography, professor of Economy and Social Geography department of the Geography faculty in the Moscow State University, expressed her doubt on whether building new kindergartens in the Penza region is necessary.

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According to her, the region is a depopulated territory, and a sharp drop in birth rate is expected as the numbers of citizens able to have children will decrease in the next years.

“You were building kindergartens, but have you thought how you will use them in 5-7 years. I am asking this question to all officials, we are speaking about it on all authorities. You spend state capital. What will happen to them in several years? The demographic wave is the bane of Russia. Schools are either needed or not, kindergartens are either needed or not. So, perhaps this must be thought with more adaptive approach, if we have a country with demographic spikes?” Natalya Zubarevich noted during a roundtable discussion in the regional government dedicated to social and economy development of the Penza region on Tuesday, December 2.

According to her, Penza region working population is decreasing as immigration is increasing.

After assessing the situation in population quality, the MSU professor explained that the Penza region is at the average level in Russia.

“The region is non-rigid in terms of human capital. No notable defects, but no advantages either. This must be taken in mind when viewing the unhealthy demographic situation,” Natalya Zubarevich said.