The Balkans are known for their rich history, diverse cultures, and unique demographic characteristics. This blog post explores the 2023 population data for the Balkan countries, offering insights into gender distribution, age structure, and population density. The data presented here provides a comprehensive view of the demographic landscape of the Balkans, which is crucial for understanding the region's social and economic dynamics. For more detailed 2023 data, refer to the Demographics of the Balkans.
Table of Contents
- Country-Level Demographic Data
- Analysis of Demographic Data in the Balkans
- Total Population
- Gender Distribution
- Age Distribution
- Population Density
- A Detailed Overview of the Municipalities
- Top 10 Most Populous Municipalities
- Top 10 Youngest Municipalities (Population aged 0-14)
- Top 10 Oldest Municipalities (Population aged 64+)
- Top 10 Municipalities with Highest Working-Age Population (Population aged 15-64)
- Highest Percentage of Females (Municipalities)
- Conclusion
Country-Level Demographic Data
The table below provides key demographic counts for the Balkans, including total population, gender distribution, age structure, area, and population density. For comprehensive datasets, see the Demographics of the Balkans.
| Country | Population | Females | Males | Pop 0-14 | Pop 15-64 | Pop 64+ | Area (km²) | Population Density (people/km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 2,761,786 | 51% | 49% | 16% | 68% | 16% | 28,495 | 96.92 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3,356,878 | 51% | 49% | 14% | 66% | 20% | 51,233 | 65.52 |
| Bulgaria | 6,447,710 | 52% | 48% | 14% | 62% | 24% | 110,975 | 58.10 |
| Croatia | 4,008,622 | 52% | 48% | 14% | 63% | 22% | 57,568 | 69.63 |
| Greece | 10,369,839 | 51% | 49% | 13% | 63% | 23% | 131,758 | 78.70 |
| Kosovo | 1,770,009 | 50% | 50% | 28% | 65% | 7% | 10,893 | 162.49 |
| Macedonia | 1,836,713 | 50% | 50% | 17% | 66% | 17% | 25,422 | 72.25 |
| Montenegro | 642,332 | 51% | 49% | 19% | 68% | 13% | 13,646 | 47.07 |
| Republic of Turkey | 85,372,375 | 50% | 50% | 22% | 68% | 10% | 779,841 | 109.47 |
| Romania | 19,049,175 | 51% | 49% | 16% | 64% | 20% | 238,287 | 79.94 |
| Serbia | 6,650,943 | 51% | 49% | 14% | 64% | 22% | 77,537 | 85.78 |
Analysis of Demographic Data in the Balkans
Total Population
The total population for each Balkan country varies significantly, the Republic of Turkey is the most populous country in the region, boasting over 85 million people. In contrast, Montenegro has the smallest population, with just over 642,000 people. This diversity in population sizes reflects the varied social, economic, and cultural landscapes within the Balkans. Detailed demographic datasets can be found in the Demographics of the Balkans.
Gender Distribution
The gender distribution in the Balkan countries is relatively balanced, with most countries having a slight majority of females. Here is a breakdown of the gender distribution:
Age Distribution
The age distribution is a crucial factor in understanding the demographic dynamics of the region. The table shows the proportion of the population that falls into different age categories:
Young Population (0-14 years):
Working-Age Population (15-64 years):
Elderly Population (64+ years):
Kosovo stands out with a significantly younger population, which can have implications for its labour market and educational needs. Conversely, Bulgaria has a larger elderly population, indicating potential challenges related to healthcare and pensions.
Population Density
Population density varies widely across the Balkan countries, reflecting differences in geography, urbanization, and land use. Here are some key observations:
Highest Population Density:
Lowest Population Density:
High population densities in countries like Kosovo and Turkey indicate more urbanized and potentially economically vibrant areas. In contrast, lower densities in Montenegro and Bulgaria may suggest more rural and less densely populated regions.
A Detailed Overview of the Municipalities
The Balkan region, known for its rich history and cultural diversity, is home to a variety of different populations and demographic structures. This post delves into the demographic data of several Balkan municipalities, focusing on their population size, age distribution, and working-age population. We'll explore the most populous municipalities, the youngest and oldest municipalities, as well as those with the highest working-age populations. Let's dive into the data and uncover the demographic trends in the Balkans. For a detailed geodemographic dataset, refer to the Demographics of the Balkans.
Top 10 Most Populous Municipalities
| Country | Municipality | Total Population |
|---|---|---|
| Romania | Bucharest | 1,731,132 |
| Bulgaria | Sofia | 1,280,334 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Esenyurt | 984,642 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Çankaya | 943,579 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Şahinbey | 942,079 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Keçiören | 940,301 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Osmangazi | 892,220 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Şehitkamil | 858,100 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Küçükçekmece | 809,838 |
| Republic of Türkiye | Seyhan | 795,877 |
Bucharest, Romania: With a population of over 1.7 million, Bucharest is the most populous municipality in the Balkans. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Romania.
Sofia, Bulgaria: As the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia houses over 1.2 million people, reflecting its status as the country's primary urban center.
Turkey: Seven out of the ten most populous municipalities are in Turkey, indicating the country's extensive urbanization. Municipalities like Esenyurt, Çankaya, and Şahinbey highlight the rapid population growth in Turkish cities.
Top 10 Youngest Municipalities (Population aged 0-14)
| Country | Municipality | Pop 0-14 |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Türkiye | Harran | 49% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Akçakale | 47% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Eyyübiye | 42% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Viranşehir | 40% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Ceylanpınar | 39% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Çınar | 38% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Siverek | 38% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Cizre | 37% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Çaldıran | 37% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Pervari | 36% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Silopi | 36% |
Harran, Turkey: Nearly half of Harran's population is under the age of 14, indicating a very young population that will influence future educational and labour market needs.
Overall Trend in Turkey: All the top 10 youngest municipalities are in Turkey, reflecting high birth rates in various regions, particularly in the southeastern part of the country.
Top 10 Oldest Municipalities (Population aged 64+)
| Country | Municipality | Pop 64+ |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | Nevestino | 52.67% |
| Bulgaria | Gramada | 50.99% |
| Bulgaria | Makresh | 49.67% |
| Bulgaria | Georgi Damyanovo | 47.74% |
| Bulgaria | Kovachevtsi | 47.39% |
| Croatia | Biskupija | 47.17% |
| Bulgaria | Novo Selo | 43.71% |
| Bulgaria | Chiprovtsi | 43.62% |
| Croatia | Šolta | 43.47% |
| Bulgaria | Opan | 43.41% |
| Bulgaria | Zemen | 43.32% |
Nevestino, Bulgaria: Over half of Nevestino's population is aged 64 and older, indicating a highly aged population demographic that may require enhanced healthcare and social services.
Bulgaria and Croatia: The presence of multiple Bulgarian and Croatian municipalities in this list highlights significant aging populations in these countries, likely due to lower birth rates and higher life expectancy.
Top 10 Municipalities with Highest Working-Age Population (Population aged 15-64)
| Country | Municipality | Pop 15-64 |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Türkiye | Yahşihan | 78.38% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Kağıthane | 75.95% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Şişli | 75.79% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Dobretici | 74.95% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Beyoğlu | 74.79% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Sarıyer | 74.33% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Maltepe | 73.72% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Çukurca | 73.55% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Merkez | 73.45% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Üsküdar | 73.22% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Bayrampaşa | 73.20% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Merkez | 73.19% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Ataşehir | 73.11% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Güngören | 73.09% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Bahçelievler | 73.05% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Eyüpsultan | 73.03% |
Yahşihan, Turkey: With nearly 78% of its population in the working-age group, Yahşihan represents a highly active labor force, which is beneficial for economic productivity.
Turkey's Dominance: Similar to other demographic trends, Turkish municipalities dominate this list, showcasing the high levels of working-age population across various Turkish regions.
Highest Percentage of Females (Municipalities)
| Country | Municipality | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Türkiye | Bozkurt | 56.74% |
| Serbia | Vračar | 55.18% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Kadıköy | 55.13% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Novo Sarajevo | 54.75% |
| Greece | Filothei-Psychiko | 54.66% |
| Serbia | Stari grad | 54.65% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Centar Sarajevo | 54.42% |
| Greece | Papagos-Cholargos | 54.38% |
| Republic of Türkiye | Beşiktaş | 54.33% |
| Romania | Bucharest | 54.05% |
The demographic landscape of the Balkans is characterized by diverse population structures across different municipalities. Urban centers like Bucharest and Sofia highlight high population densities, while Turkish municipalities show significant youthful and high working-age demographics. Conversely, Bulgarian and Croatian municipalities exhibit a notably aging populations. These 2023 demographic insights are helpful for policymakers and researchers as they address the unique challenges and opportunities within each region of the Balkans. Understanding these trends will aid in developing targeted strategies for sustainable development and social welfare. For more detailed analyses and insights, stay tuned to our upcoming posts where we delve deeper into specific demographic aspects of the Balkan region, and consult the Demographics of the Balkans.