CHANGES IN AGEING OF COMMUNES (LAU2S) IN POLAND BETWEEN 1995 AND 2014

The paper presents statistical and spatial analysis of changes in the ageing level in 2,478 LAU2s in Poland occurring between 1995 and 2014. The results show that the average share of the young decreased from 32.4 to 22.1% and the average share of the old increased from 12.5 to 14.1%, both of which resulted in a considerable increase of the average value of the ageing index, i.e. from 39 to 66 old people per 100 young. The share of the young decreased in all LAU2s in Poland, while the share of the old increased in 65% of LAU2s. However, the increase in the share of the old had a stronger impact onto the increase of the ageing index than the decrease of the share of the young. The process of ageing was most intensive in Opolskie and Śląskie Voivodships, in the south-eastern part of Poland and in the south-western part of Podlaskie Voivodship. Population ageing process in other parts of the country had a diversified intensity.