Finno-Ugric peoples of the Republic of Kazakhstan: dynamics of the population, distribution, migration processes

Introduction. The article attempts to analyze the dynamics of the number and features of the distribution of the Finno-Ugric peoples on the territory of Kazakhstan at the end of XX – beginning of XXI century. Materials and Methods. The research is based on statistical data from the population censuses of Kazakhstan and the USSR in 1970–2009 and literature on this scientific topic. The study is based on comparative-historical, statistical and systematic approaches, which allowed us to reveal the dynamics of the ethnogeographic development of the Finno-Ugric peoples. Results and Discussion. Thirteen Finno-Ugric peoples currently live on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on the analysis of the data of the last five population censuses, it assumes about the relationship between the number of ethnic groups and the number of peoples similar in language and culture, with the political situation in the country, social and cultural conditions. It considers the topic of settlement of the Finno-Ugric peoples in the regions of Kazakhstan. Conclusion. The Finno-Ugric peoples living on the territory of Kazakhstan since the end of the XIX century, retain their connection with their historical homeland, cultural and ethnic identity. After the collapse of the of the Soviet Union, the majority of the Finno-Ugric peoples began to decline rapidly, due to the active outflow of the population to their ethnic homeland and to other CIS countries.