The Replacement of Generations in Serbia in the Period 1950-2000

Abstract

The article deals with the replacement of generations in Serbia, its dynamics in the second half of the 20^th century, and the importance of direct determinants. It points to the major regional differences in the domain of the population reproduction among the large areas of Serbia (Central Serbia, Vojvodina, and Kosovo-Metohija).

Two approaches of demographic analysis were applied: period and cohort analysis. Basic indicators, definitions, and shortcomings were presented. The results of the period analysis indicate that up until 1988 (with the exceptions of 1957 and 1981), the fertility in Serbia constantly reached a level of fertility necessary to ensure the replacement. Since 1989, the net reproduction rate has constantly been below unity. In Central Serbia and Vojvodina, the population has not been reproducing itself for more than 45 years (since 1956). The situation has been completely different in Kosovo-Metohija, where fertility has been above the level necessary to ensure reproduction during the entire second half of 20^th century. The cohort analysis applied to six chosen generations (birth cohort of 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, and 1975) indicates that in Serbia, only women born in 1960 ensured the replacement. In Central Serbia and Vojvodina, none of the studied generations succeeded in ensuring the replacement, while in Kosovo-Metohija all generations did.