The total population of Poland is relatively stable and does not show significant fluctuations over time. Nevertheless, there are many areas throughout the country that are affected by depopulation i.e., the process of successive or random reduction of a human population. Depopulation affects local territorial units (e.g., cities) but also entire regions (e.g., rural areas) or countries. This can be a consequence of numerous demographic (e.g., low fertility), economic (e.g., out-migration of young people in search of work), social (e.g., poor health care), political (e.g., wars), and environmental (e.g., natural disasters) problems._x000D_
The aim of our paper is to present the intensity of depopulation in Poland in the last twenty years and its spatial diversity. First, we diagnose the areas of depopulation that show a negative actual increase. Then, we classify depopulating areas by net migration and natural increase to see which of the two factors was more pronounced. We also look for demographic reasons for depopulation, such as high mortality, suburbanization, etc. Finally, the demographic consequences of depopulation, such as changes in population dynamics and structure, are shown for various types of settlement systems. We conclude with the challenges of depopulation across the country.

Justyna Wilk (1), Marzena Walaszek (1)
1. Faculty of Human Geography and Planning, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan (Poland)

 
ID Abstract: 595