Depopulation Processes in the Towns of the Babušnica Municipality

In this paper the author analyzes the historical, economic and social problems of the demographic reproduction of the municipality of Babušnica which is located in south-east Serbia. The problems which have been caused by demographic transition are complex and multidimensional, and have accumulated over a long period of time. Today, they are, due to the decline in villages, one of the negative factors of development not only of Babušnica but of all of south-east Serbia. This municipality is a typical example of all of the municipalities which, due to neglected population policies, find themselves in a very unfavorable position. The extreme depopulation of villages, mountain and border areas of Serbia today can only be stopped with great difficulty, and can be overturned with even more effort, with Babušnica given as an example of a town with a long tradition of economic migrations. This paper outlines the main characteristics of the demographic changes through the analysis of the census data gathered in the field. On the basis of the obtained demographic characteristics, the key problems and tendencies of development in this municipality have been outlined.