Przeobrażenia struktur demograficznych i społeczno-zawodowych ludności Podhala w latach 1970-1988

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present changes in structures of sex, age and employment of Podhale population. Former statistical patterns coming out of many centuries isolation of that mountain region are decaying. Present changes are characterized by spatial differentiation. Structure of sex was distinguished by abnormal surplus of women in towns of Podhale (from 110 in Nowy Targ to 125 in Zakopane). In villages feminization ratio was more normal and it was 103 in 1988. There was a great polarization in particular villages. Shortage of women was noticed in more than 40% of villages, surplus - in 11%. Unfavourable changes were taking place in age structure. Young population of Podhale was gradually getting older. Percentage share of children and youth became low especially in towns; in villages the ratio was lowered from 33% to 29%. Number of population in productive and post-productive age increased. The process of growing old was the strongest in Zakopane and in many villages (tab. 8, fig. 3, 4). It is also confirmed by profiles of sex and age (fig. 5). Those disturbances came out of changes in natural and migrational movements. In natural movement great fluctuations were noticed especially in birth ratio which was the lowest in 1970. Changes in employment structure were differentiated. Podhale region in spite of great emigration was characterized by great surplus of employees, mainly in villages. Development of industrialization, tourism and spa development influenced disagralization of villages. That fact concerned mainly villages close to towns or near main transportation tracks. Employment in industry, commerce and health service predominated. A group of people was employed in Tchechoslovakia, others went to the USA and they were working illegally there. People employed in other than agriculture branches were working in different professions. Collapse of employment in other than agriculture branches took place in *1989 in the result of economic regression. Reorientation of employment structure is necessary though difficult to foresee.