Original scientific paper

REGIONAL ASPECTS OF DEPOPULATION IN CROATIA (1991-2011)

Dražen Živić orcid.org/0000-0002-5293-568X ; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Regional Center Vukovar, Croatia
Ivo Turk ; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Nenad Pokos ; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Demographic trends in Croatia are extremely unfavourable. The most important demographic processes which have affected the existing situation are depopulation, emigration, ageing of population and spatial/regional polarization. The period considered in the research is characterized by the intensification of negative demographic processes. The causes of demographic problems are complex and long lasting although the demographic characteristics are not equally unfavourable in all Croatian counties. In general, predominantly rural counties have more negative demographic trends than the urban ones. Long lasting neglect of rural areas has transformed them from “demographic incubators” into the areas of population extinction. As the rural population migrated towards cities, depopulation processes in the cities were delayed, unlike the rural areas. Croatian Homeland War in 1990s, due to numerous war losses and complex demographic situation, intensified the existing negative demographic trends on national and regional/county level. Current demographic and economic circumstances are not likely to encourage any significant improvement of the situation particularly in rural areas, remote from urban centres.

Keywords

depopulation; emigration; ageing of population; Croatia; counties; polarization

Hrčak ID:

134006

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/134006

Publication date:

19.12.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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