In the context of modern reality, sustainable development of rural areas is one of the strategic orientations for the development of Russia, allowing for dynamic equilibrium within the economic system despite the disruptive effects of endogenous and exogenous factors. In rural areas, where agriculture is the foundation of the economy, sustainable development becomes even more significant and an integral part of adapting agriculture to new natural and climatic conditions. Sustainable development of rural areas is achieved through the progressive development of a number of factors, the interrelationship of which constitutes a complex synergistic system. The aim of the study is to analyze the interrelationship of the system-forming factors that ensure sustainable development of rural areas, namely: agriculture, agro-industrial complex, social infrastructure, and human capital. In this paper, rural areas are presented as complex systems characterized by a traditional perception of them as administratively defined and functionally conditioned units, harmoniously combining traditional agricultural crafts with modern practices that contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas and their inhabitants. The article provides a logical-structural representation of the definition of “sustainable development of rural areas.” The study highlights economic factors, institutional foundation and an analysis of institutional tools for sustainable development of rural areas.