Demographic potential of young men with acquired disabilities: a sociological analysis
The increasing rate of disability among the working-age male population in Russia has become a significant socio-demographic issue, directly influencing the country’s demographic development, labor force composition, and family formation patterns. Despite the importance of this group for achieving national demographic security goals, its demographic and resource potential remains understudied, and reliable statistical data are limited. This article aims to analyse the demographic potential of young men with acquired disabilities in Russia aged 18–35, identify the key factors influencing this demographic, and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving state support and social integration measures. The empirical basis of the study was a nationwide questionnaire survey of 419 men aged 18 to 35 with acquired disabilities, conducted using purposive sampling. Respondents were randomly selected based on age, acquired disability, and place of residence. Quantitative data were complemented by an assessment of health status, family and reproductive attitudes, and daily activity limitations. The analytical framework combines demographic potential theory with the socio-medical model of disability. The findings reveal that, despite significant health restrictions and socio-economic barriers, young men with acquired disabilities maintain a pronounced orientation toward marriage, family creation, and responsible fatherhood. Major constraints include health limitations, insufficient material resources, poor housing conditions, and uncertainty about the future. The study confirms the critical role of health status in enabling this group’s demographic contribution and highlights the need for comprehensive rehabilitation programs to support labor participation and family life. The demographic potential of young men with acquired disabilities should be considered a strategic resource for national demographic security rather than solely a subject of social care. Policies focused on improving health, social and professional rehabilitation, and supporting family practices can significantly enhance their demographic contribution, strengthen human capital, and support the sustainable development of the Russian Federation.
Rostovskaya, T. K., Rocheva, Ya. S., Knyazkova, E. A. (2026), “Demographic potential of young men with acquired disabilities: a sociological analysis”, Research Result. Sociology and management, 12 (2),
176-197, DOI: 10.18413/2408-9338-2026-12-2-1-1.
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This publication was prepared with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation, Grant № 25-28-00140.