The impact of socioeconomic relations on demographic changes in the village of Niedrzwica Koscielna
Draczkowski, K.
Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Sklodowska. Sectio H, Oeconomia 17: 263-285
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0459-9586 Document Number: 206728
A study of the demographic changes which took place in the village of Niedrzwica Koscielna, Poland, during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries is presented. Results show that during certain historical periods, the rural population was determined by the prevailing socioeconomic conditions: during the feudal era, population growth was minimal; when the peasants were freed, it grew much faster. The process was slowed down by the I and II World War and by the migration to the regained territories in 1945-50. After 1950 there was a steady flow of people moving from the countryside to the towns. This led to aging populations in the villages and a larger proportion of female agricultural workers. This rural urban migration has to some extent been compensated for by mechanization and improved rural standards of living but the problem of low technical and economic efficiency in small farms has still to be resolved.