The Influence of Littoralization on Demographic Development of Dugi otok Island

Abstract

The paper analyzes basic demographic features of Dugi otok Island, particularly in the period after the Second World War, which has been characterized by intensive littoralization i.e. concentration of social and economic life on the coast. Strong industrialization on the mainland has had negative impact on demographic and economic development of the island. The number of inhabitants decreased significantly after 1948 due to intensive emigration and drastic decrease of birth rates. Continuous increase of the share of older islanders and the decrease of younger age groups of both sexes is obvious indicator of ageing, which is the basic feature of the age structure.Littoralization on the island has had negative impact on spatial development of insular settlements. Although the settlements were mostly situated on the hills by fertile dolomite zones or karst fields, during the transition from primary to secondary and tertiary economic activities, they spread toward the coast. So, small number of inhabitants that decided to stay and live on the island, mostly inhabit the coastal part, while older islanders continue living in old rock houses, situated in old nucleuses of the villages.