The peculiarities of migration processes in the Astrakhan province of the middle of the XIX century as an important factor in the formation of the capitalist system are considered in the article. On the basis of statistical sources, the scale and directions of peasant agrarian resettlements are shown, the causes of the growth of migration flows are analyzed both in the territory of European Russia and in the Astrakhan province. The Russian government, in spite of the inconsistency and contradictory nature of the policy on this issue, generally facilitated the settlement and development of the southern outskirts. Not only the vast territories of the Astrakhan province attracted migrants here - various industries were developed here. Resettlements contributed to the rise of productive forces, the redistribution of land ownership, the creation of a labor market in the region, the strengthening of the marketability of the economy, the distribution of rent. It was concluded that in general, migrations in Russia on the eve and after the reform of 1861 were a progressive phenomenon for the economy and contributed to the strengthening of capitalist elements in the economy. Peasant resettlements to the Astrakhan province contributed to the development of the region's economic potential, stimulated the revitalization of crafts, trades, the trade industry, determined and strengthened Astrakhan's role in the domestic market of Russia.
