Demographic Change in Lower Silesia

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1 Lower Silesia The Lower Silesia Voivodship is one of 16 voivodships established after the administration reform, in 1999 in Poland. The Lower Silesia region is located in the southwestern part of Poland. In the west it borders Germany, in the south the Czech Republic, in the east the Opolskie Voivodship, in the northeast it neighbours in the Wielkopolskie Voivodship and in the northwest the Lubuskie Voivodship. The area of the Lower Silesia Voivodship amounts to 19,947km 2 which is 6.38% of Poland s total land area. With a population of 2,876,627 persons, in 2009 Lower Silesia took 5 th position in Poland comparing with other regions and the inhabitants of Lower Silesia represent 7.54% of the total population of the whole country. Lower Silesia is the region with one of the highest rates of population s density: at 144 persons per km 2, placing it in 4 th position in Poland. In the years the Lower Silesia Voivodship was constantly in the group of voivodships with the highest share in the generation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), taking fourth position in 2008, with 8.1% share in the national value of GDP. The Lower Silesia Voivodship is rich in natural resources: copper, silver ore, brown coal, road and construction stone (over 50% of the national deposit), fire clay, granite (largest deposits in Poland) and natural gas. That is the reason the mining industry is one of the most significant in the Lower Silesian economy. Well-developed transport infrastructure, tax allowances and other preferences attract foreign investors, which in number are growing from year to year. Lower Silesia is taking second place in Poland regarding the number of companies with foreign capital participation (2009). The region also possesses rich and diverse deposits of mineral and therapeutic waters, including radioactive and thermal waters. This, in connection with the picturesque landscape of Karkonosze mountain, cultural and architectural heritage (one quarter of all Polish palaces and castles are located in Lower Silesia) has a value for the development of tourism. The importance of this branch of the economy for local and regional development is still growing, similarly as the number of tourists visiting the Lower Silesia Voivodship. In the Lower Silesia Voivodship, over 55% of all employees are connected with the service sector (including market services at 33.18% and non-market services at 22.19%), 35.15% work in the industrial sector and 9.48% are involved in agriculture (2008). The unemployment rate is 12.5% (2009). The Lower Silesia Voivodship has 38 schools providing higher education for 172,479 students (2009). The eldest of them is the University of Wrocław, which was established in 1702 by emperor Leopold I Habsburg. The University of Wrocław is the largest university in the region and teaches over 40,000 students and around 1,300 doctoral students at 10 faculties. Today, the University, above the education, is strongly focused on scientific research undertaken often in partnership with the Polish and foreign Higher Education Institutions. Another important higher education school is the Wrocław University of Technology. It belongs to the best technical universities in Poland over 32,000 students study here under the guidance of 2,000 academic teachers, at 12 faculties. Owing to the Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław appears to be the capital of

2 Polish computer science. This is because of the European level of teaching and research run by the university employees. Their achievements are recognized not only in Poland but also abroad. Amongst other important higher education institutions are: Wroclaw University of Economics (17,000 students, 4 faculties), Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science (10,000 students, 5 faculties), Wroclaw Medical University (5,600 students, 6 faculties), Wrocław Academy of Psychical Education (3,800 students, 2 faculties). Over 30,000 students graduate from the higher education schools in the Lower Silesia region every year (37,000 in 2009). Wroclaw is the largest town in the region and its capital, with a population of 632,146 persons. The city, located by the Odra River and its four main affluents is often called the North Venice town and has over 200 bridges and footbridges linking the banks of the rivers. This is one of the oldest towns in Poland (first official mention about Wrocław comes from 1000 th year) with a rich, multicultural historical background (in the space of centuries it belonged to Poland, Bohemia, Prussia and Germany) and is nowadays the metropolitan centre of Lower Silesian Voivodship s economic, cultural and social life. Wrocław is the centre of automotive, electronics, chemical, pharmaceutical, kitchen and computer equipment industries. Many international companies (e.g. Siemens, LG, Whirlpool, Bosch) have their premises in Wrocław. After 1989, Wrocław also became a significant financial centre and houses the headquarters of several nationwide financial institutions. Wroclaw Technology Park gathers many Polish and foreign companies from the high-tech sector and facilitates their development. Wrocław is also famous for its diverse architectural heritage monuments of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism, Neoclassicism, Secession and Modernism are numerously present in the urban landscape. Many cultural events include Wrocław s following showcases: Vratislavia Cantans Festival, Wroclaw Jazz Festival Jazz on the Oder, International Film Festival Era New Horizons, and the Brave Festival Against Cultural Exile. Wrocław is home to many theaters, cinemas, museums and art galleries, recreational and sportive institutions. In 2012, with three other cities in Poland, Wrocław has organized the European Soccer Championships EURO The Lower Silesia Voivodship is divided into 5 subregions (NUTS III): the Jeleniogórski, Wałbrzyski, Legnicko Głogowski, Wrocławski and the city of Wrocław, 29 counties (NUTS-IV) and 169 communities (NUTS V). The population of the region inhabits 91 towns and 2571 countryside / rural areas. Voivodship has a high urbanization ratio (70.3%) compared to Poland s average (61%). Seven of Lower Silesia s towns exceed 50,000 inhabitants, amongst them 3 have more than 100,000 citizens. The process of urbanization is connected with the sub-urbanization phenomenon, the migration from cities, especially big cities to rural areas located nearby. The Wrocław agglomeration (consisting of Wrocław and the wrocławski subregion) and Legnicko Głogowski subregion (thanks to copper mining) are best developed. The rest of the region, despite efforts, is still left behind. The main problems of the region are: an ageing and decreasing population, foreign migration, especially people attaining higher education, degradation of the region s natural environment, and social problems such as unemployment and poverty.

3 Demographic Change in Lower Silesia According to UN 3 grades of society s ageing classification, the society can be consider as old if more than 7% of total population reaches the age of 60 (women) / 65 (men) years old. Taking this point of view one can say, that Poland s as well as Lower Silesia Voivodship s society is in the old age phase. In 2009, the number of persons exceeding the age of 60/65 years was 16.5% of total population in Poland and 16.7% in the Lower Silesia region. Within 10 years ( ), the number of older people in the Lower Silesia Voivodship increased by 1.8%. An important phenomenon which is characteristic for the Lower Silesian region is also declining population (by over 111 thousand people between 1995 and 2009). It is associated with both the ageing of society and migration, especially young people, who decided to work in other EU countries. Demographic processes are strongly connected to economic development. More economically developed areas of Voivodship give its citizens various opportunities to connect their existence with the place of living, it also attracts other people to settle there. Better household financial situations are also an important stimulus for having and raising children. In Lower Silesia region, the best demographic situation is characteristic in the Legnicko Głogowski subregion (thanks to copper output and processing industry being one of best developed in the region) and the Wrocławski subregion, based on human resources, which provides the background for Wrocław agglomeration. Statistical data shows that demographic trends of declining population and ageing will affect the Lower Silesia Voivodship in the future. According to GUS (Central Statistical Office) estimated data for the 2035 population of Poland will decrease to over 2,000,000 persons (at about 6% of total population), compared with the 2009 figure. About 60% of the total population of Poland will be at working age, 40% at the non working age; amongst them only 15.6% in pre-working age and 26.7% at the post-working age. In the Lower Silesia Voivodship, these processes will be even more visible. In 2035 total population is projected to be smaller, by over 260,000 (about 9% of total population), compared with the 2009 figure and will count for 2,614,229 inhabitants. According to GUS estimated data, for 2035 in Lower Silesia 57.8% of total population will be at the working age, 42.1% at the non - working age (14.7% at the pre-working age and as many as 27.4% at the post-working age). Whereas the number of population living in rural areas will be almost constant ( ,993; ,016 persons), the number of towns inhabitants will decrease over 12% from the level of 2,021,634 persons in 2009 to 1,760,213 in The general decrease in the population will not be equally distributed in the region. This phenomenon is to be the strongest in the Jeleniogórski and Wałbrzyski subregions, and in the city of Wrocław, two other subregions (Legnicko Głogowski and Wrocławski) thanks to reasons mentioned above, these will be less affected. In 2009, the total population of voivodship s was 2,876,627 persons. Amongst them, 52% were women (51.7% in Poland), and there were 100 men per 109 women (107 in Poland). Analysis of the Lower Silesia Voivodship s population structure by age indicates, that the society is somewhat older then the country average.

4 According to data from 2009, in Poland 18.9% of population are at the pre working age, 64.5% at working age and 16.5% at post working age. At the same time the Lower Silesia Voivodship indicates 17.5% people at pre working age, 65.8% at working age and 16.7% at post working age. Comparing this information with data from 1995, one can observe a decrease in population in the pre working age by about 8.8% (from the level 26.3%), an increase of about 5.8% in the number of persons in working age (in 1995 it was 59.98%), and an increase of about 3% of the population in post working age (in 1995 it was 13.7%). This unfavourable demographic balance is mainly caused by negative birth rate, characteristic for Lower Silesia region since the beginning of 2000 onwards and an increase of the average duration of human life. From 1995 to 2009, the average number of expected years of life - at the moment of birth increased for women of 3.7 years to the level 79.4 years in 2009, and for men of 3.9 years to the level 70.9 years. These two processes are strengthened by foreign migration, especially of young people, all of which contribute to the processes of ageing and declining of Lower Silesia region society. There have been demographic discrepancies observed between different areas of the Lower Silesia Voivodship. The worst situation is characteristic of the Wałbrzyski and Jeleniogórski subregions, where negative birth rates and insufficient economic development cause the most intensive process of ageing and declining. Political Discussion of Demographic Change in Lower Silesia There have occurred two main demographic processes in Lower Silesia region in recent years. One of them is the intensifying phenomenon of an ageing society. The second one is the declining of population, especially caused by external migration of young, well educated people. Because these processes are characteristic for both Lower Silesia Voivodship and Poland as well, more and more vivid discussion is taken up on two levels; national and regional. The national discussion concerning ageing is focused on three main topics: Increasing the economic activity of people at the age of 50+; Reforms of the old-age pension system, and; Guaranteed sustainability of public finances & preparation of the care system of dependent people based on nursing tax. The regional discussion focuses on the question of how to satisfy the rising needs of elderly people and how to ensure for them, not only care but also integration into society. The second important topic is the encouragement of young people to connect their future with the Lower Silesia region. This process is associated with the necessity of labour market and educational system changes, rising the efficiency, competitiveness and innovativeness of the regional economy. Above this, an important topic is policy for family preparation of measures encouraging people to have and raise children.

5 Ageing of society induces various problems concerning health and social care domains in addition to economy. Some of them include the following; Rising number of dependent people, particularly in age of 75+; Rising costs of health and social care services; Insufficient number of professional staff providing health and care services; Threat of social exclusion and isolation of elderly people, and; Disturbing balance of economic sustainability in consequence. Whereas migration processes are combined with; The loss of a well educated young workforce that in the long term perspective will imply lower GDP; Lack of qualified employees in the labour market, and; Negative birth rates. These processes are connected also with the educational system. A decreasing number of children cause the suppression of the number of schools, which in consequence can induce problems with the accessibility to various types of educational institutions and the quality of education. The Lower Silesia Voivodship has some regulations according to ageing population in its strategic documents (e.g. in The 2020 Development Strategy for the Lower Silesia Voivodship or The 2013 Social Inclusion Strategy for the Lower Silesia Voivodship). These are mostly connected with Life Long Learning, encouraging elderly people to continue work in the labour market, social and health care of ageing population and integration with the society. The Lower-Silesia Voivodship established an organization who adjoin different kinds of institutions and organizations acting in favor of Seniors it is The Lower Silesia Council of Seniors Affairs, which acts at Lower Silesia Marshal Office. This was the first time and sole example of one such move in Poland. The Lower Silesia Council of Senior Affairs was established in It concentrates on a range of the most important subjects; Local and voivodship self government institutions; Central administration s institutions; Non-government organizations, and; Higher education institutions and others. All of them come into effect at the regional level. Within the Council, many institutions and organizations can integrate their efforts directed toward ageing problems. The Council gathers specialists from different domains which enables a multi aspect approach for questions related to the problems of ageing of society. From the Council s inspiration in the Lower Silesian Voivodship, empirical research was conducted, resulting in a diagnosis of elderly people s life conditions, which is used as a base for the activities in favour of the elderly inhabitants of the region. An important branch of actions directed at seniors to stimulate their activity in various forms are: Increasing knowledge; Development of hobbies;

6 Establishing contacts with other people, and; Volunteering activity, and so on. In Lower Silesia Voivodship, there are over 40 Third Age Universities, giving elderly people an opportunity to explore self development at their stage of life. As an element of the good ageing process popularization, from the regional inspiration, compiled a series of handbooks about important issues concerning the ageing process which were published. This provided elderly people, their families and the professionals working with them, the possibility to increase their knowledge about the ageing process. Projects relating to the usage of ICT in health and social care of elderly people are also realized. Also, the youth are an important recipient of activities taken up by regional institutions. One example is this scholarship system, directed at talented young people and teachers as well. Also, activities to ensure a stronger connection between the labour market, the employers needs and the educational system are undertaken. Source: Lower Silesian Centre for Social Policy