DEMOGRAFSKI RAZVITAK ZAPADNOHERCEGOVAČKE ŽUPANIJE OD 1961. DO 2011. GODINE
DEMOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT OF WEST HERZEGOVINA COUNTY DURING THE PERIOD 1961-2011

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes the demographic development of West County which consists of four municipalities: Grude, Ljubuški, Posušje, and Široki Brijeg. The study covers the period 1961-2011 including five census years. The analysis is based on statistics and surveys. West Herzegovina County is a traditional emigration area that has been affected by the process of depopulation for decades. Mountainous areas have been significantly affected by the process of desolation after World War II, while the urban areas known as immigration centers were creating foci of economic and general development of West County. Depopulation in the mountainous parts of the County (mountainous areas) was followed by the abandonment of traditional economic activities (primarily agriculture and animal husbandry). It led to social devastation, changes in the landscape and the extinction of some settlements. This was supported by factors such as economic migration, urbanization, industrialization and a strong development of central and suburban areas. Significant emigration in the second half of the 20th century, the direct and indirect consequences of two world wars, various epidemics, agrarian reform, economic crises which have repeatedly occurred during the fifty years, had the most significant impact.

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