Zmiany w zaludnieniu Podhala w latach 1931-1988

Abstract

Podhale, in comparison to other regions in the Carpathians, was characterized by greater dynamics of demographic development. Progres of urbanization is slower there than in other regions but this is caused by mountain specifics of the region and by functional structure of towns. During last years slower increase of population number is marked in towns, not in villages. Observations of changes in population allowed to make a typology of village settlement units. The greatest number is of progressive villages with a high or very high annual population growth. Only some of villages present stagnation or demographic regression. Their number and distribution were changeable in particular inter-census periods. Increase of population was a continuous process in majority of the settlement units. Irregularity in their demographic development (increase and decrease) was characteristic for some villages only. Continuous decrease of population was noticed in some villages. Natural growth as well as settlements of immigrative character decided about demographic growth in Podhale. Villages of emigrational character predominate but population number increases as migrational loss concerned only a part of natural growth. The smallest number was of emigrational villages with decreasing number of inhabitants. Following the post war changes in Podhale population it may be stated that the transition from explosive to lowered and finally to medium demographic growth was common feature for majority of villages in Skalne Podhale, Pogórze Zachodnie as well as for villages situated along the railway track Rabka - Nowy Targ - Zakopane. Spisz and Orava present another type of population growth as demographic boom has begun there for 10 years. Dynamic increase of population in post war times influenced density of population and caused changes in size structure of settlements. Number of small villages decreased, number of units with 1 000 - 2 000 inhabitants was doubled and they make predominant size category in Podhale village pattern. Increase of number of population in big villages, with population over 3 000, is unfavourable for that region.