Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.51.1.2
The Role of the Roma in the Demographic Resources of Međimurje County
Hrvoje Šlezak
orcid.org/0000-0002-2412-4476
; Elementary school Kuršanec, Čakovec, Croatia
Abstract
The paper explores the role of the Roma in the demographic resources of Međimurje County.
Given that Međimurje County has slightly more favourable demographic characteristics than
the Croatian average, the influence of the Roma on certain variables of the demographic
resource index is examined. To what extent do Roma people, the largest ethnic minority in
Međimurje County, affect the total population natural growth? Is the above average fertility
and natural growth a direct consequence of demographic characteristics of Roma people and
if so, what implications follow? The analysis includes specific structures of Roma people that
contribute to understanding of the role of the Roma in demographic resources of Međimurje
County. The results obtained suggest that the Roma, despite their relatively small number in
the total population, largely affect the natural growth rate in Međimurje County and some of
its municipalities. Ethnically differentiated characteristics of natural growth contribute to the
ethnic substitution of the population of Međimurje County. On the other hand, Roma people
have a negative impact on some structural characteristics of the total population. In the light
of seeing the population as a demographic resource, the paper points to a growing need for
urgent integration of the Roma.
Keywords
Roma people; Međimurje County; birth rate; population; demographic resources; natural growth
Hrčak ID:
101801
URI
Publication date:
14.5.2013.
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