Original scientific paper
Demographic Development of the Podravina Region in Light of the 2021 Census
Monika Balija
orcid.org/0000-0001-7350-2798
; Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Belić
orcid.org/0000-0002-1002-4490
; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The paper presents the demographic balance of the Podravina region in light of the 2021 census. Through a comparison of demographic structures and trends between Podravina and Croatia, the analysis is conducted at the local and settlement levels. Based on census and vital statistics data, changes in the spatial distribution of the population between 1948 and 2021 are initially discussed, followed by an examination of demographic changes between 2011 and 2021, as well as the population structure of Podravina in 2021. In the latest period, Podravina experienced a population decline of 12.6%, which was slightly more intense compared to Croatia. Concurrently, every city and municipality recorded an overall decrease in population, negative natural change, and negative migration balance. After several decades of growth through immigration, the City of Koprivnica is witnessing migratory depopulation. This phenomenon can be partly attributed to the emigration wave following Croatia‘s accession to the European Union and partly to the continuous depopulation of rural areas in Podravina. Out of 182 settlements in Podravina, only 2.7% experienced population growth, 4.9% had a positive natural change, and 13.2% had a positive migration balance between 2011 and 2021. The population of urban settlements (Koprivnica, Đurđevac, and Ludbreg) also decreased. Still, their share in the population of Podravina (32.5%) continues to increase due to a more pronounced decline in other settlements. Due to suburbanization, the City of Koprivnica shows minimal difference in the intensity of decline between the central and other settlements, while in the City of Đurđevac, it is pronounced. Three different settlement zones based on natural-geographic characteristics continue to exhibit divergent movements due to momentum – contrary to the central zone settlements, settlements in the Drava plain and the slopes of Bilogora are rapidly declining.
Keywords
Podravina; 2021 census; depopulation; population ageing; population natural change; migration balance
Hrčak ID:
320078
URI
Publication date:
16.7.2024.
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