Procesy demograficzne na Śląsku

Abstract

Transformation processes that take place in Silesian Voivodeship have an influence on demographic processes. Formerly, this region used to attract people by employment possibilities (especially in the mining industry). Now adays, it is becoming a place characterized by a high level of emigration scale. In the space of years, population structure by sex and age has changed. We can observe a decrease in percentage of young people of the population, at the same time a percentage of old people increases. Both phenomena accelerate the process of demographic ageing. We can also find mortality tendencies alarming in Silesian population — its level is relatively high. Unfavourable changes in people’s reproduction take place as well. A reduction of birth rate and fertility level are caused by a decreasing number of marriages, postponing marriages and an increasing number of informal relationships. Achieving simple substitutability of generations is not possible because of total fertility rate decreasing. Therefore, restricting people reproduction cannot guarantee a demographical balance. As a result, the population’s strength visibly decreases in Silesian Voivodeship, which is deepened by the adverse migration balance.