The paper considers theoretical foundations and methodological approaches to the analysis of population settlement, reveals various methods of studying rural population and its settlement, and analyses the demographic and socio-economic problems of rural areas of the Republic of Belarus. By studying the formation of rural settlements on the territory of Belarusian Polesye their historical types have been identified. The analysis of the state and the main problems of demographic and socio-economic development of rural areas of Belarusian Polesie was carried out, and the factors of modern dynamics of rural settlement of Belarusian Polesie were identified. The priorities for solving the key problems of demographic and socio-economic development of rural areas of Belarus Polesie were identified, and recommendations for improving the settlement of rural population for the period 2021-2025 were elaborated. The paper considers the theoretical foundations and methodological approaches tothe analysis of population settlement, identifies a variety of methods for studying the rural population and its settlement, analyzes the demographic and socio-economic problems of rural areas of the Republic of Belarus.