ABSTRACT
The demographic processes in the Caucasus assume similar forms across the countries of the region. In large part, these similarities are the product of the shared Soviet legacy and the challenges associated with the transition from communism. Exploring regional- and country-scale processes in the four Caucasus states – Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia – this chapter considers the consequences of the economic uncertainty, violent conflict, and social upheaval that attended the end of the Soviet state. We focus in detail on four demographic processes of contemporary relevance: the demographic situation in the de facto states; out-migration by Russians; urbanisation and urban growth; and short-term labour migration.
