DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE WIELKOPOLSKIE PROVINCE IN THE YEARS 2005-2015

Abstract

The aim of the research was to diagnose demographic changes that took place in the rural areas of the Wielkopolska province between 2005 and 2015. The study identified rural areas that were located within the boundaries of the Poznań Metropolitan Area and beyond this area. The research was based on data from the Central Statistical Office and the Statistical Office in Poznań. As a result of the conducted research, it was observed that demographic changes in the rural areas of Wielkopolska province such as population growth or changes in population structure by place of residence or economic age groups are largely caused by migration movements. In the analyzed period there was an influx of population into rural areas (positive migration balance), although in recent years a slight inhibition of this phenomenon has been observed. In addition, there was a slight increase in positive natural growth. More dynamic changes have been observed in rural areas within the Poznan Metropolitan Area. In the studied period, changes in the opposite direction were observed in cities, ie the decrease in the number of inhabitants and in birthrate, as well as the increase in emigration from cities (decrease of the negative migration balance).