The Kamchatka government attributed the population outflow to earthquakes. Residents doubt they are the cause.

Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Kamchatka Andrey Kopylov at the hearings in Moscow said, that due to the earthquakes, "a gradual outflow of population is beginning." He did not provide specific figures. 

"Kamchatka has seen very high seismic activity over the past two months. This has had a significant impact on the lives of residents of the Kamchatka Krai. Residents are worried, and an outflow of people is beginning," Kopylov said. 

He believes the problem can be solved by relocating residents from dilapidated housing. This requires approximately 10 billion rubles over the next three years. He believes that people's primary concern is the safety of their children when they're away from home. Therefore, it's essential to build high-quality schools and kindergartens. 

Residents of the region questioned comments that earthquakes were the cause of the population outflow.

"People are leaving because of the sky-high prices for everything, the devastation, the lack of healthcare and education for children, plus the poor weather conditions," "After the earthquake, fuel prices also went up... maybe it's more because the governor never delivered what he promised," "I woke up... several thousand have already left Kamchatka in recent years. Earthquakes are just another jolt from the peninsula."

The Far East is losing population every year. Kamchatka is no exception. While in 1990, more than 478 people lived there, by 2023, Vostokgosplan analysts wrote About 289 residents. More than 39% of the region's population has left. Only Chukotka and Magadan Oblast have had higher rates: 70% and 65,4% of residents have left since the 90s.