The article examined different views on population with a view to identifying major trends. Social processes that impede the transition to sustainable development within existing governance mechanisms have been identified. It is noted that due to the high social dynamics, the exit from the "modernization trap" is to be sought both by territories with high natural growth of the population, and economically attractive regions with indicators of natural decline of the population. At the same time, social dynamics in different territories in modern conditions involve the risk of its use for the benefit of different social groups and can act as a manageable factor. In order to increase the sustainability of development, in resolving the contradictions of the existing socio-economic system, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of agricultural territories and to develop self-sufficient models of their development.