Lviv as a Metropolitan Center of the Western Region of Ukraine: Peculiarities of Demographic Structure

Abstract

The paper deals with identifying modern features of population structure of Lviv city as the metropolis of the western region of Ukraine. It has been done by using comparative analysis of gender and age structure of Lviv population with the urban population of Lviv region and with the east and south Ukrainian metropolises. Th e modern peculiarities of gender and age composition of Lviv population are considered according to a set of indicators using statistical and demographic methods of structure and dynamics analysis as well as comparative assessment of structures using the model of stable population. Demographic structure is analyzed with estimation methods which haven’t been used in studies of these territorial objects yet. Th ere are several diff erent “thresholds” of sexes balancing age in the population of Lviv and other metropolises, which is explained by the gender specifi cs of educational and labor migration to these cities as educational and economic centers of Ukraine with their inherent features of economic major. Th e analysis revealed that among the considered cities the population of Lviv is younger, it has a slightly higher proportion of youth and women in reproductive age, signifi cantly lower demographic burden on population of working age by older people and higher burden by children and adolescents. Th ese features are associated with more favorable regime of natural reproduction and refl ects the existing and potential demoeconomic advantages of Lviv against the background of the south and east cities. Th e population of Lviv is, however, demographically older than the urban population of Lviv region (minus the regional center) due to relatively higher life expectancy and slightly lower reproductive activity. Th e study has underlined the diff erences between Lviv and studied metropolises of the south and east in terms of its demographic structure. It should be noted that although in the short and medium term the population aging in Lviv will be pro gressing, but in general the center of the western region of Ukraine has better demographic prerequisites for socio-economic development and, in particular, spurring the innovation.