Naslov
A cluster analysis of Croatian counties as the base for an active demographic policy

Autori
Jurun, Elza ; Ratković, Nada ; Ujević, Ivana

Izvornik
Croatian operational research review (1848-0225) 8 (2017), 1; 221-236

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Croatian county depopulation process ; net migration rate ; ageing index ; k-means method ; Croatian counties cluster analysis

Sažetak
This paper deals with Croatian Counties Cluster Analysis as the base of active demographic policy. Unfortunately, Croatia has no national demographic strategy and no national population policy is carried out. Some local governments are taking isolated policy measures but due to unsystematic and distress network at the national level it gives almost no significant effects. Nowadays in the Croatian nation began the process of demographic extinction. This process began even before the great emigration wave which started last year and half. Since there is no money for the simultaneous and complete implementation of active demographic policy on the entire Croatian territory, this paper proposes a new approach. Namely, for each Croatian County the main demographic indicators have been calculated and analyzed. After that, using multivariate methodology, fifteen demographic indicators, by which the Croatian Counties differ significantly, have been chosen as criteria for the Croatian Counties clustering by K-means Method. Clustering output defines several clusters consisting of smaller number of Counties with similar demographic characteristics. These clusters form a spatial county unit in which should be urgently implemented appropriate measures of the active demographic policy. In this way the process of active demographic policy can start with less money and can be limited maybe only to spaces with poorest demographic characteristics. Moreover, the results of this study would stimulate "richer” administrative units to apply the appropriate active demographic policy measures in their areas without waiting for the adoption of laws and regulations at the national level of government.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Ekonomija

POVEZANOST RADA