The purpose of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the demographic characteristics of the urban and rural population of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Within the framework of the study we analysed the demographic characteristics of the urban and rural population of Russia and Uzbekistan for the period from 2010 to 2020. Statistical, analytical and mathematical research methods were used for the analysis. The statistical significance of the difference in relative values was calculated with Student's coefficient at p < 0.05 and t > 2. In the period from 2010 to 2021 we observed an increase in the population of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The study revealed a statistically significant decrease in the birth rate over the 10-year period, as well as an increase in the mortality rate and natural population decline in Russia. In Uzbekistan, there was a significant increase in both the birth rate and the natural population growth rate over the period studied. Until 2019 there was a statistically significant decrease in the mortality rate. In 2020, the mortality rate increased by 10.5%. The decline in fertility and mortality rates is more pronounced in Russia's rural areas, while the increase in mortality rates is more pronounced among the urban population. In Uzbekistan there was a statistically significant increase in birth rates in both urban and rural areas. The characteristics of the population of different countries determine the specifics of the state of public health of their populations, the organisation of preventive and diagnostic medical care; they require the timely development of preventive measures aimed at improving the organisation of preventive medical care in conditions of new epidemiological and other risks, especially in rural areas.