Demographic Change in Serbian Mountain Areas - Trends, Characteristics and Pressures

Abstract

Since the beginning of 1980s, population age structure in Serbia has started to transform “in favour” of elderly population, while total population number in rural areas has started to decrease. Being a consequence of decreasing birth rates and extensive rural-urban migration, mountain areas, especially villages, became the most influenced and vulnerable area when it comes to demographic trends, structure and future.

The Workshop presentation is going to indicate the basics of transformation of population trends and structures in Serbian mountain areas. Several elements of demographic change will be presented: population growth rate, birth rate, and share of young (0-14), working age population (15-64) and of elderly population (65 and more). An effort will be given to interpretation of migrations, although available data are limited. Comparison between trends of these indicators and trend of total population number and density will serve to explain the demographic change type and characteristics in case of Serbian mountain population. In conclusion, will be addressed spatial pressures that demographic changes bring and on necessary changes required in order to mitigate impacts.