Original scientific paper

The Population of Cavtat and Obod on December 31 1830

Niko Kapetanić
Nenad Vekarić ; Institute for historical sciences of CASA in Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Abstract

The analysis of Cavtat and Obod population on December 31 1830 reveals the ascending line of demographic transition in the Dubrovnik area where it began much earlier than in other Croatian regions. The analysis goes further to prove that the transition process did not develop equally even in the case of a micro region such as this. The process originated in the urban area of Cavtat, spreading later throughout villages (Obod) although very close to the populated area. The symptoms of demographic transition are evident in the age structure which implies that Cavtat was already suffering from demographic old age; grandparents outnumbered the children. It had a declining birthrate and a decrease in the average number of household members. Apart from the reasons which caused the process of demographic transition to begin (civilization level, development of medical science etc.), the population of Cavtat was also affected by its interest in seafaring thus producing similar effects to transition process. It resulted in a large disproportion between men and women, low average age and short life. Reproduction of the population was a consequence of mechanical rather than natural growth. The transition process in Obod, an example of static village surrounding, aroused problems of a different kind. A sudden outbreak of population at the end of the 19th century caused sweeping poverty which only added to other unfavorable circumstances. All this intensified the migration of population to overseas countries.

Keywords

population; Cavtat; Obod; 1830

Hrčak ID:

239964

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/239964

Publication date:

20.6.1994.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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