Demographic Data

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

The demographic characteristics of the population are an important indicator of the situation in a certain area, whether as an indicator of economic, social, political or any other processes that take place in that area. According to the last population census from 2011, the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region has 122,568 inhabitants. This figure represents a decrease of 302 inhabitants compared to the 2001 census, when the population in Dubrovnik-Neretva Region was 122,870 inhabitants.

Looking at the period between the 2011 and 2001 census, the negative movement of population is characteristic for most municipalities and cities, except for the cities of Metković and Opuzen, and municipalities of Konavle and Župa dubrovačka. Most inhabitants live in the city of Dubrovnik (42,615), and the municipality with the largest population is Konavle Municipality (8,577). Janjina Municipality has the lowest number of inhabitants in the Region (551). The average population density has not changed much since the previous census in 2001, when it was 68.98 people per km² (in 2011 it was 68.82 people per km²). The municipality with the highest population density is Župa dubrovačka (364.7 people per km²) and the lowest population density is in the municipalities of Dubrovačko primorje and Mljet (11 people per km²).

Region’s population in municipalities and cities

CITY/MUNICIPALITY NAME

POPULATION IN 2011

CHANGE IN POPULATION COMPARED TO 2011

POPULATION DENSITIY

AVERAGE AGE

NATURAL INCREASE

COMMUTERS

DUBROVNIK-NERETVA REGION

122568

-32

68.87722503

41.5

-12

22723

CITIES

DUBROVNIK

42615

-1155

298.40

42.4

21

6534

KORČULA

5663

-226

50.44

43

-11

901

METKOVIĆ

16788

1404

330.27

37.2

49

1479

OPUZEN

3254

282

135.37

40.9

-3

610

PLOČE

10135

-699

78.29

41.1

-2

1519

MUNICIPALITIES

BLATO

3593

-87

53.92

43.8

-1

146

DUBROVAČKO PRIMORJE

2170

-46

11.00

45.2

-18

627

JANJINA

551

-42

18.28

53.2

-13

56

KONAVLE

8577

327

40.90

41

19

3201

KULA NORINSKA

1748

-178

28.77

40.1

1

583

LASTOVO

792

-43

15.05

44.4

-5

137

LUMBARDA

1213

-8

112.72

41.6

-3

320

MLJET

1088

-23

10.96

47.5

-9

207

OREBIĆ

4122

-43

31.50

43.8

-18

581

POJEZERJE

991

-242

29.57

39.6

-10

236

SLIVNO

1999

-79

37.74

43.6

-22

647

SMOKVICA

916

-96

20.97

44.4

-5

101

STON

2407

-198

14.21

43.6

-5

440

TRPANJ

721

-150

20.09

47.6

-10

71

VELA LUKA

4137

-243

96.56

44.6

-27

153

ZAŽABLJE

757

-155

12.44

43

-4

207

ŽUPA DUBROVAČKA

8331

1668

364.65

37.4

64

3967

In 2011, the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region, as well as all other counties, had a negative natural movement, i.e. a natural decline of population. Natural demographic decline of -12 inhabitants is the result of a total of 1,273 births and 1,284 deaths in the Region. The causes of negative population growth are numerous, one of the most significant ones being the depopulation of settlements and emigration.

Natural movement of population in the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region

Year

Births

Deaths

Natural increase

2007

1313

1238

70

2008

1468

1323

139

2009

1388

1239

142

2010

1438

1294

139

2011

1273

1284

-12

 

In the total population of the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region there are more women (62,947 or 51.36%) than men (59,621 or 48.64%). This ratio is rather similar to the one at the national level (51.78% of women, 48.22% of men).

If we consider the big age groups, it can be noted that the number of men is somewhat higher in the young population, that it is equal to the number of women at mature age, and that the female population prevails in the group of older inhabitants. Looking at the overall population per age structure, there is an ongoing process of decrease in population size in the lower age groups.

The age-sex structure of the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region in 2011

tablica

Dobno-spolna piramida 2011. Age-sex pyramid in 2011
Dobne skupine Age groups
Ženske Women
Muški Men
Broj stanovnika Population

 

The average age of residents in the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region is 41.5 years. If we take into account the average age in all other Croatian counties, this Region is situated in the very middle. The ageing index and age coefficient are the best indicators of the age and the ageing process of a particular area. Consequently, one can easily conclude that the area of Dubrovnik-Neretva Region has entered well into the process of ageing (ageing index is 109.4, and age coefficient is 24.4). It is believed that the population of a particular area entered the ageing process if the ageing index exceeds 40% and the age coefficient exceeds 12%. The population decline in the Dubrovnik-Neretva Region is a negative indicator of the situation in the area.

In order to ensure a more balanced demographic development and a positive population movement, it is necessary to ensure the local population continues to live in the Region and encourage the immigration of young and working-age population.