SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN DEMOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION COUNTRIES

Peteris Zvidrins, University of Latvia
E –mail: zvidrins@lanet.lv
The paper deals with characterization of main demographic processes in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) .The current demographic situation in the BSR is characterised by significant difference. The population of the Nordic countries is increasing consistently whereas in the former Soviet Union republics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia) and in Poland a characteristic feature of the demographic development is decrease of the population (depopulation) due to very low fertility, comparatively high mortality and emigration of working population, mainly to the West Europe. The level of depopulation is very high in Latvia, Lithuania and Russia, including Northwest Russia. In Germany, in the first decade of the 21st century the population was already declining nevertheless positive net migration. The role of the Nordic countries in the Region is rising.The study shows that the BSR is among most ageing in the world. According to the calculations of the author, the rank of Germany by three ageing indicators is the 2nd the highest in the world (after Japan). Very high level of ageing is observed also in Finland and Sweden, but the lowest –in Russia and Poland.