Pskov Region has a population of about 827,100 people. Among major local economic and cultural centers there is Pskov (206,000 inhabitants) and the city of Velikiye Luky to the South (117,200 inhabitants). The population density is 12,5 persons per sq km (while average figures for Russia is 8,7 persons per sq km). Local population figures reveal such important characteristics as a high level of qualified workforce and ethnic homogeneity (more than 95% of the population is Russian).