Original scientific paper
THE DEMOGRAPHIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND POSTWAR PERIOD IN LIKA
DRAŽEN ŽIVIĆ
IVO TURK
Abstract
On the basis of listed statistics and with the application of the appropriate mathematical methods, in this article are estimated the total of the demographic losses of Lika (the former districts: Donji Lapac, Gračac, Gospić, Otočac and Titova Korenica) in the Second World War and the post-war period. With the comparison of the results of the census from 1931 and 1948 concisely shown are the most important and largest aggregate and structural demographic
consequences of the war. So the total demographic war losses are estimated at close to 41,000 people, a total depopulation of almost 27% was assessed, a drop was established in the density of
the population and the approach of Lika to sub-ecumenical characteristics of population plus a significant disruption of the age and gender composition of the population was noted, particularly
of the age pyramid, which shows significant dips in the most vital and most capable working age groups, mostly of the male, but also female population. Considering that Lika even before the Second World War showed characteristics of an area of depopulation, the demographic war losses are not the only reason for the continuation of the overall depopulation, but to a great extent it developed because of them. The results of the census list from 1948 on the side of demographic "liabilities" also included the post-war emigration in the lowland regions of Vojvodina and eastern Croatia induced by the second great agrarian reform, but also on the side of demographic "assets" the increased birth-rate during the first years of the post-war "baby boom" period.
Keywords
Lika; Second World War; demographic losses; demographic consequences of war; depopulation
Hrčak ID:
153651
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2014.
Visits: 3.894 *