Demographic History of Vojvodina - Future Demographic Trends

Future Demographic Trends

The general demographic trend in Vojvodina is a natural decrease in population. According to the 1991 census, the average age of the population of the province was 37.7. However, the average age differed among various ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group, Serbs, averaged at 37.4. Other ethnic groups mostly averaged even higher: Romanians 41.9, Hungarians 41.2, Slovaks 40.1, Croats 41, etc. The opposite case were three ethnic groups with younger population: Roma 26, Albanians 29 and Muslims by nationality 29.

According to the 1991 census, the natural increase of Vojvodina's population was −1.8% (up from −4% in 1997). Since the percentage needed for the simple maintenance of the existing population size is 2.3, it is expected that Vojvodina will have to resort to importing labour force in near future (assuming that its economy will improve, since the existing regional economy is not able to employ even all current citizens).

Despite the fact that negative birth rate is common for most ethnic groups in Vojvodina (including Serbs), number of ethnic Serbs in the province is increasing due to the constant immigration of Serbs from other regions (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Central Serbia, etc.) to this province. This immigration is triggered by the fact that the economic situation in Vojvodina is somewhat better than in the rest of Serbia or in the neighboring countries which are populated by large Serb communities.