Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Svetlana Radovanović Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Basic Tendencies in Demographic Development of Rural Population and Revitalization - Related Issues Publication-Status: Published Abstract: The end result of the complex and contradictory processes taking place in the village and agriculture throughout the period since the Second World War is depopulation and persistent crisis in agriculture. Mass relocation of rural population to cities and transition from agricultural to non-agricultural activities has had а series of negative demographic, sociological, cultural, economic and even political consequences. Note that all basic tendencies observed in rural population of Serbia (except in Kosovo and Metohia) are unfavourable. They have weakened the overall demographic development and are reasonably expected to persist. The seriousness of the demographic problem caused by relocation of rural population is aggravated by many years of insufficient child bearing and open depopulation. Hence, а negative growth in natural (except in Kosovo and Metohia) and migration components makes the tum of the century the time of major demographic disturbances with potentially destructive consequences, and eventually jeopardizing our community in general. Keywords: rural population; depopulation; deagrarization Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 9-24 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904009R File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/255 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/255/237 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:255 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mirjana Rašević Author-Workplace-Name: Demographic Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Topic of the Issue: Demographic Characteristics of the Rural Population of Yugoslavia Publication-Status: Published Abstract: Pred vama је prvi tematski broj časopisa Stanovništvo u njegovoj, više od tri decenije dugoj, tradiciji izlaženja. Posvećen је Demografskim karakteristikama seoskog stanovništva Jugoslavije iz najmanje dva razloga. То је, pre svega, tema kojoj, u dosadašnjim istraživanjima populacionih procesa, nije posvećena dužna pažnja. Sem toga, u stručnoj i političkoj javnosti sve se vise govori о potrebi revitalizacije sela, za koju је poznavanje demografske osnove neophodna pretpostavka. Radovi i prilozi u ovom broju su inicirani od strane redakcije. Pritom smo imali u vidu kako značaj pojedinih podtema, tako i istraživačka opredeljenja autora. Otuda је sadržajem obuhvaćen niz pitanja od onih metodološke prirode, preko sagledavanja osobina razvitka stanovništva sela, uz izdvajanje osnovnih problema, do otvaranja pitanja vezanih za mere i akcije koje bi bile neophodne da država preduzima u cilju obnavljanja i jačanja demografskih potencijala sela. Predajući ovaj broj časopisa Stanovništvo u javnost zahvaljujemo se svima onima koji su omogućili njegovo izlaženje; pre svega autorima, kao i Ministarstvu za nauku i tehnologiju Vlade Republike Srbije i Saveznom ministarstvu za razvoj, nauku i životnu sredinu. U nadi da ćе ovako koncipiran broj biti prihvaćen, redakcija ima nameru da i ubuduće pokreće tematske brojeve časopisa Stanovništvo. Dr Mirjana Rašević, urednik Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 7 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.59954/stnv.272 File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/272 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/272/246 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:272 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vladimir Stanković Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Population Statistics, Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Comment on Categorization of Population by Type of Settlement in Yugoslav Statistical Practice Publication-Status: Published Abstract: No abstract. Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 195-201 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.59954/stnv.274 File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/274 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/274/248 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:274 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marina Todorović Author-Workplace-Name: Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic" SASA, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Vlasina Gathering Publication-Status: Published Abstract: No abstract. Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 203-205 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.59954/stnv.275 File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/275 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/275/249 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:275 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Radoslav Stevanović Author-Workplace-Name: Demographic Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Rural Settlements in Yugoslavia: their Number, Spatial Distribution and Structure by Demographic Size Publication-Status: Published Abstract: The paper analyzes rural settlements in the FR of Yugoslavia and its major· regions (Montenegro, central Serbia, Vojvodina, as well as Kosovo and Metohia): their number and structure by demographic size in 1991 relative to 1948 (at the level of major regions), as well as the average size and density of population in 1991 (at the level of communes). The analysis presented shows а continued gradual process of differentiation of settlements, not only bу the main social and historical differentiation (rural - urban) but also within the settlement category with rural characteristics. This differentiation was caused not only bу the physical and geographical specifics and the inherited social and historical characteristics, but also bу very significant changes in the main population flows (process of depopulation, spatial and demographic polarization, etc.). The above differences are less pronounced in Vojvodina and in Kosovo and Мetohia, and more in Montenegro and central Serbia. The common feature of rural settlements in all four mајоr regions (the absolute majority of communes in the FR of Yugoslavia), in the period from 1948 to 1991, is а strong upward tendency in population decline due to long-term migratory movements and unfavorable trends in natural movement (rapid decline in fertility and increase in mortality), except in the majority of communes in Kosovo and Metohia. This has, among other things, led to а very rapid increase in the number of small (dwarf) rural settlements, most of which are under threat of demographic extinction, as well as to а pronounced decline in the population size of а growing number of rural settlements, which is likely to continue in the near future. Keywords: rural settlements; communes; regions; population size; spatial distribution Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 25-44 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904025S File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/256 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/256/238 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:256 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Goran Penev Author-Workplace-Name: Demographic Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Natural Change of the Rural Population of Yugoslavia with an Emphasis on Fertility in the Early 1990s Publication-Status: Published Abstract: The process of intensive deruralization or decline in total rural population of the FR of Yugoslavia in the second half of the 20th century саmе exclusively as а result of migration from rural to urban areas. Though constantly positive at the level of the country as а whole, the downward tendency in rural population growth was observed throughout the period. The author analyzes components and dynamics of natural change in rural population with emphasis on the period from 1981 to 1997, regional specifics up to the republican and provincial levels, and the main differences from the specifics of natural change in urban population. The author highlights that in analyzing natural change bу type of settlement, particular attention should bе paid to the very pronounced interdependency between the components of population dynamics and the age-sex structure, the more so as the latter is becoming the most significant direct determinant of the natural population growth. Namely, crude birth rate of rural population in Yugoslavia has tor several decades now been lower thаn the corresponding measure for urban population, while the crude death rate has, however, been higher. At the same time, in age-specific terms, fertility was higher and mortality lower in rural relative to urban populations. Such discrepancy evolved primarily from the unfavorable age-specific structure of rural population and its notably disturbed sex-specific structure (pronounced surplus in male, particularly younger middle-aged population). The author goes on to analyze the main features of fertility and reproduction in rural population based on demographic statistics. Не argues that the general and total fertility rates represent more adequate indicators of fertility in rural population, as the impact of age structure has been partially or even fully eliminated. Thus, in 1990-1992, both indicators are higher for rural relative to urban population, and sufficiently high relative to the mortality level to assure integral replacement (net reproduction was 1.0 in rural relative to 0.9 in urban population). In all mајоr regions of the country, fertility was higher in rural relative to urbаn population. Such differences were minimal in low fertility regions, while remaining significant in Kosovo and Metohia. The analysis of fertility was supplemented bу the 1991 census data, which, for the first time, included the number of live born children bу age of mother and type of settlement. Despite the fact that such data on female population illustrate the situation at the moment of census taking only, and not at the moment of birth, the author thinks that the cohort analysis based on the census data provide а much more realistic account of fertility in rural population than the period analysis based on vital statistics, primarily as it resolves the problem of ассurаtе registration 0f vital events bу type of settlement. Thus, cohort fertility rates show that fertility of rural female population is notably higher than the effective fertility in urban areas. This is true for all five-year age groups without exception, and equally true for all major regions Finally, the author analyzes cohort fertility of the autochthon versus migrant populations, as well as fertility bу ethnic origin. Не draws а general conclusion that fertility is higher in migrant relative to autochthon female population, and that thе differences are much more pronounced in rural relative to urban populations. This phenomenon is explained bу the so-called marriage-motivated migration, which the author assumes to bе dominant in migrant female population. As for fertility rates bу ethnic origin, the well-known differences are also evident in rural population. Namely, all ethnic groups can bе classified bу level fertility into three categories. The highest rate is recorded for ethnic Albanian, Roma and Muslim women. Montenegrin women record moderately high fertility rates, while the rate recorded for women of Croatian descent is generally sufficient for generation replacement. The third category is made uр of Serb, Yugoslav, and ethnic Hungarian women as well as the great majority of women of other ethnic origin (Вunjеvaс, Romanian and Slovak). Аll these nationalities record very low fertility levels, which have for years been insufficient to enable generation replacement. Keywords: rural population; natural change; population replacement; fertility; cohort fertility Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 45-72 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904045P File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/262 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/262/239 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:262 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jelena Antonović Author-Workplace-Name: Demographic Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Aging of Rural Population in Yugoslavia Publication-Status: Published Abstract: Mass migration to urban areas constitutes the basic direct factor of the decline in rural population of Yugoslavia in the second half of the 20th century. Due to the characteristic migration patterns by age and sex, they have had a substantial impact on the change in age structure of rural population towards rapid demographic ageing. By inducing decline in fertility and an increase in mortality, the newly formed age structure is increasingly becoming one of the basic factors to further decline in population, or even the major factor to rural depopulation in the majority of regions. The paper analyzes changes in age structure of rural population in the FR of Yugoslavia and across its republics and provinces during the period from 1961 to 1991. The conditions prevailing during the last census (1991) are particularly highlighted. The author points to distinct differences in ageing of urban versus rural populations, and considerable regional differences at the achieved level of demographic age. Based on the main demographic age indicators (the share of five-year and larger age groups, average age, ageing index and movement in major age-specific contingents), the author concludes that the process of population ageing had taken place in both rural and urban populations, but was more intensive in villages (higher share of the aged, higher index of ageing and higher average age) during the period under review. The author points to distinct ageing of rural population in all republics and provinces. It was most prominent in central Serbia and Vojvodina, while being quite slow in Kosovo and Metohia and recorded mainly in between the last two censuses (1981-1991). Likewise, Kosovo and Metohia constitute the only major region of Yugoslavia in which rural population in 1991 is still demographically younger than the population in urban settlements. Rural versus urban population ageing was much more intensive in other major regions of the country, both from the base and from the apex of the age pyramid. In view of the minimal differences in fertility and mortality levels by type of settlement (particularly in central Serbia and Vojvodina), the author argues that the inherited age structure constitutes the main cause of rapid acceleration in rural population ageing in low fertility regions. Keywords: rural population; demographic ageing; age structure; deruralization Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 73-92 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904073A File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/263 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/263/240 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:263 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mirjana Bobić Author-Workplace-Name: Demographic Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Modern Rural Family and Household in Yugoslavia Publication-Status: Published Abstract: The paper analyzes modern rural household in Yugoslavia, both by region and at the level of the country as a whole. The author begins by providing a statistical and sociological definition of basic terms, and proceeds with a combination of social and demographic analysis. The basic criterion used is the residential status of the population (permanent residence) based on the administrative distribution of settlements with the non-city ("other") population treated as part of rural population. The descriptive basis was formed on the basis of two types of sources: population census data and relevant studies, on the one hand, and comprehensive researches of rural family in the 1990s, on the other. The modernization theory has provided the basic framework for the analysis of the state and movement in rural households in Yugoslavia since the beginning of the 20th century, but the paper deals mainly with social and economic developments following the Second World War. The following components of the rural households are analyzed: dynamics and average size, as well as composition of households. With reference to the level of the social change they had undergone and some demographic special features, rural households are classified into four main types: 1) purely agricultural; 2) mixed (with income earned from agricultural and non-agricultural activities); 3) non-agricultural; and 4) households of elderly people. The appearance and growth of mixed households during the pest-war period, following adoption of the socialistic command economy, came as a result of objective contradictions in transformation of an individual agricultural household into a modern market-oriented holding, and its cooperation with the state-owned cooperative sector. Since early 1980s, however, with deterioration in its position, agricultural production is gradually given up or maintained at the subsistence level, while most family members earn their living from the non-agricultural sector. These tendencies were most rapidly observed in Vojvodina, which is the most fertile region of the country, and most slowly in central Serbia. As a result of the above social and economic transformation the village was also exposed to a strong demographic transformation, which was most readily observed in ageing and feminization of population and its labor force and narrowing down of family structure to conjugal family united through marriage, which is made up of aged parents without an heir. The rural household and/or family have undergone crucial changes in respect of three main segments: 1) size; 2) structure; and 3) position and role of family members. This last aspect has been the subject of numerous comprehensive studies into the way of life in villages. The analysis of family relations in a village was conducted in two segments: intra-generation (between spouses and between children, especially of different gender) and inter-generation (parent – children relations). Segregation of roles by gender is still characterized by male domination, husband – head of the family, and son – the heir. Housework, parenthood, and the homestead itself (due to the increased engagement of the husband in non-agricultural activities) are the main sources of self-realization of women. Marriage and bearing children (especially male children) represent the main social promotion channel for young girls in a village environment, while education and earning income from work outside the village do not ensure a significant role in making decisions on family life in general, children's future or even personal destiny. Incidence of conflict in marriage is rare. Satisfaction with a twofold role of the mother and housekeeper is very high as well as understanding for tl1e difficulties of the social position of a man – the "bread winner" in the current social crisis and disintegration. The author points to the lack of data on rural households in Kosovo and Metohia caused by the boycott of the latest census by the majority, ethnic Albanian population. An attempt was hence made to compensate for the lack of quantitative information by presenting results of representative investigation of Albanian zadrugas in Kosovo and Metohia. Keywords: rural household; family; transformation; non-agricultural household; zadruga Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 93-118 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904093B File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/264 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/264/241 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:264 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Biljana Radivojević Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Economic Structures of the Rural Population in Yugoslavia Publication-Status: Published Abstract: The inter-dependence of demographic and economic development both determines and is reflected in the economic structure of the population. Industrialization and the process of deagrarization have strongly influenced the changes in rural population structures. The underdeveloped economy of Yugoslavia before the II World War of mostly agrarian character and underdeveloped industry was characterized by excess labor force in villages and substantial agrarian overpopulation. Preferential treatment of industry during the post-war period, based on the outpouring of savings from agriculture, hindered agricultural activity and created discrepancy in the level or industrial and agricultural development. This led to mass migration of rural population into cities and its engagement in non-agricultural activities. Hence, by changing the structure of the economy, the process of accelerated urbanization also changed the economic structure of the population. The transfer of rural population continued throughout the period following the II World War. It was very intensive during certain periods and far in excess of the natural growth in agricultural population. Abandoning agriculture and migration to cities has had numerous negative effects, particularly because of its immoderate and rapid development. Senilization and feminization of villages practically left them without labor force, while agriculture became a neglected economic activity. Based on the 1981 census, 45.5% of population in non-urban settlements of Yugoslavia were economically active, 4.9% were self-employed, while 49.6% were dependents. The rate of economically active population in these settlements was somewhat higher than for the total urban and non-urban population. The economically active population in non-urban settlements is still most highly concentrated in the agricultural sector, followed by industry and mining. Thus, in 1991, 77.6% of the economically active population of central Serbia were employed in these three sectors (of which 58.1 % in agriculture). The other three sectors with relative importance are construction, transport and communication, and trade. The decline in agricultural population is one of the most significant changes in the social and economic structure of population in Yugoslavia. In the period from 1953 to 1991, it declined by over 3 million persons, while its share in the total decreased almost four times. Based on the 1981 census, 93.9% of total agricultural population of Yugoslavia lived in villages. At the same time, it accounted for 43.9% of population in those settlements. The downward tendency in agricultural population has continued in recent years as is shown by the 1991 census data for territories in which it was fully conducted. With the decline in agricultural population there was also recorded a decline in the number of persons actively engaged in agriculture as well as a decline in their share in the work force of non-·urban settlements_ Based on the 1981 census, almost every second person living in these settlements was an agricultural producer. General rate of economic activity of agricultural population amounted to 59.7% and was higher than the rate for total non-urban population (45.5%) because of higher engagement of border age categories of the economically active population in agricultural activities. Keywords: rural population; Yugoslavia; economic structure; agricaltural population; deagrarization Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 119-139 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904119R File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/266 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/266/242 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:266 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marina Todorović Author-Workplace-Name: Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic" SASA, Belgrade (Serbia) Author-Name: Gordana Vojković Author-Workplace-Name: Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic" SASA, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Population - An Element of Agricultural Development in Serbia Publication-Status: Published Abstract: The author begins by discussing the relationship between agriculture and population at a theoretical level, proceeds with a historical review of changes in the role and significance of an individual as agricultural producer, and finally, analyzes population as an element (potentials - limitations) of agricultural development in Serbia. The overall production results, and particularly the propensity to technical and technological innovation, as well as the ability to adapt to the changed conditions are, as we know well, crucially dependent on the structure of the working population. Hence, the author discusses regional differences in agricultural population by age, sex, level of education and productivity to provide a clear illustration of the impact of this element (indicator) on the population as the factor of agricultural production. The results show significant macroregional differences by this element with respect to the average for Serbia. Keywords: population; agriculture Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 141-161 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904141T File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/267 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/267/243 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:267 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mirjana Rašević Author-Workplace-Name: Demographic Research Centre, Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Implementation of the Family Planning Programs in Villages: Needs, Prospects and Possible Solutions Publication-Status: Published Abstract: This paper is made up of three parts. The first part provides an analysis of the family planning program adopted by the Government of Serbia in early 1998. In addition to the targets, measures and the institutional basis of the activities envisaged by the program, attention is also given to the evaluation of the document itself. It is highlighted that formulation of the elements of the family planning program and their adoption constitute only the first step and that the success of the program shall largely depend on the manner of its operationalization, and particularly, on the implementation of the proposed measures and activities. In the first part of the paper, the author also asserts that the document adopted neither included the points of particular interest nor the specific conditions for implementing the program-related activities in the context of rural population. Hence, the second and the third parts discuss the research findings regarding rural population of Serbia and the pragmatic experience acquired by other countries in carrying out similar activities. The information gathered in the 1990s by means of questionnaires conducted in low and high-fertility regions was analyzed to highlight the need for implementing the program in rural population and to assess the prospects of the program-related efforts pertaining to a change in reproductive behavior. The summary experience gained in implementing family planning programs in other countries, and concretization of different elements of the activities undertaken was observed from the point of view of the need to operationalize family planning programs in Serbia. Keywords: rural population; family planning programs Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 163-184 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904163R File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/268 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/268/244 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:268 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Srboljub Stamenković Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Belgrade (Serbia) Title: Scientific Basis for Examining Current Rural Situation and Rural Settlements as Potential Centers of Development in Serbia Publication-Status: Published Abstract: Besides Spatial Plan of Serbia, the fundamental social prerequisite to the constitution of a rational network of villages of different centrality (functional and hierarchic level) is the elaboration of a strategy of rural development of Serbia. This ought to define the main long-term targets of rural development, prerequisites and conditions for their realization, the role of villages and rural economy in economic and general social development, as well as the long-term expectations with regard to the development of villages and transformation of traditional peasantry into a modern, market-oriented type, etc. From that point of view, the above scientific basis for examining the current rural situation, primarily its spatial-demographic and functional aspects, and rural development – so far and in future, within the context of selecting rural centers to constitute centers of potential development of smaller groups of settlements and territories, which practically means of Serbia as a whole with its network of hierarchically structured settlements – urban and rural, in which certain rural settlements function as bearers, initiators and regulators of development and positive transformation of economic and geographical environment. This type of scientific research has become the main development issue in the light of evident shortage of new, systematized and accurately formulated knowledge about villages, rural development and future prospects of villages in Serbia. Long years of meticulous research of our villages have provided a basis for activation and rational utilization of abundant natural, human (demographic), and material (productive) resources, which may be put to a multiple use within the context of developing a fully market-oriented economy. The degree of our success shall depend on the potentials and general economic interests at all social levels – local, subregional, regional and state (federal and republican). It shall, however, primarily depend on the size of social investment in scientific research, which shall reflect global social needs and particular economic and political interests. As noted earlier, there are both needs and interests to develop rural planning as an integral part of spatial planning, which is an asserted part of the general system of planning in Serbia. Keywords: village; network of villages; rural development; revitalization of villages Journal: Stanovnistvo Pages: 185-194 Volume: 37 Issue: 1-4 Year: 1999 Month: December DOI: 10.2298/STNV9904185S File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/270 File-Function: Abstract page File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/download/270/245 File-Function: Full text File-Format: application/pdf Handle: RePEc:eto:stanov:v:37:y:1999:i:1-4:id:270