Geografie 1961, 66, 56-71
The Growing Old of the Population in Czech Countries and Its Geographical Importance
This paper is to discuss the demographic growing old of the population in Czech countries. The term "demographic growing old" implies certain changes in the age structure of the population, i. e. in the statistical location according to the age of individuals. The changes are performed, on the one hand, by an increase in number of older people, which fact is due especially to a specific decrease in the death rate of older people, on the other hand, by a considerable decrease in number of the youngest population, which is the consequence of an ever-decreasing birth rate. The author treats first of all of the general importance of the age structure. There is no doubt that the age of the population plays an important part from the biological as well as economic point of view. Sundbärg's types of population are mentioned. They have been specified on the basis of the statistical material dating from the end of the last century. Even if the material has lost much of its importance in the course of time, it nevertheless serves as a useful source of information, necessary for the characteristics of changes in the age structure of the population. Table 1 demonstrates the changes in the age structure of the population in Czech countries which took place in between 1869 and 1957. In the author's opinion, the up to now concealed fact - that, in the average, our population has been getting older - is due to a considerable decrease in the death rate especially of older people. The intensity and the character of changes in the age structure are best revealed in the so-called age indexes which in this case are given by the proportion of the juvenile (0-14 years of age) and senile (50 and more) elements. Table 3 shows their progress according to the sex in Czech countries in between 1869 and 1957. Table 4 and 5 compares changes in the age structure of population in Czech countries and in Slovakia. Picture 2 and table 6 give comparison with other European countries as well. Table 8 brings comparison of changes in the age structure of the population which occured in between 1930 and 1957. Much attention is paid to comparison with other European countries. In the conclusion, table 9, some estimate figures on the age structure of the population are given.
