THE IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC IMBALANCES ON EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE IN BISTRIȚA-NĂSĂUD COUNTY
Adina-Maria PATIȚA1, Raularian RUSU1 , Ciprian MOLDOVAN1 , Titus-Cristian MAN1 , Cosmina-Daniela URSU1 , Elena-Manuela BÎRSĂNUC1
1 Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Geography, Centre for Regional Geography, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, Cluj-Napoca, e-mails: adina.patita@ubbcluj.ro, raularian.rusu@ubbcluj.ro, ciprian.moldovan@ubbcluj.ro, titus.man@ubbcluj.ro, cosmina.ursu@ubbcluj.ro, elena.birsanuc@ubbcluj.ro
ABSTRACT. – The Impact of Demographic Imbalances on Education and Healthcare in Bistrița-Năsăud County. Low birth rates and limited immigration, together with high mortality and emigration, reflected in a negative total population change, have placed and continue to place Bistrița-Năsăud County in an unfavourable demographic position, with both direct and indirect consequences for society. One of the most severe consequences has been its impact on society and economy, which is particularly evident in the education and healthcare sectors, while simultaneously widening the imbalance between the economically active and inactive populations. According to data provided by the National Institute of Statistics, in 2024 the proportion of the elderly population (aged 65 years and over) reached 16.77%, whereas the proportion of the young population (0–14 years) was 15.77%. The crude birth rate was 8.23‰, the crude death rate 9.83‰, the immigration rate 16.6‰, and the emigration rate 18.18‰. In 2025, the most aged populations were concentrated in the southern, western, and south-western parts of the county, particularly in the communes of Milaș, Miceștii de Câmpie, Silivașu de Câmpie, Chiochiș, Nușeni, Șintereag, Braniștea, Ciceu-Giurgești, and Târlișua. Consequently, these communes experienced the most pronounced demographic, social, and economic consequences. The communes with fewer than 100 pupils enrolled in a school were Miceștii de Câmpie (63 pupils), Ciceu-Mihăiești (82 pupils), Silivașu de Câmpie (83 pupils), and Ciceu-Giurgești (86 pupils). As a result, the number of teaching staff was also limited, while educational investments remained comparatively low. In the healthcare sector, an ageing population entails ncreasing investment requirements, higher morbidity, and a growing shortage of economically active individuals capable of sustaining the healthcare system through financial contributions.
Keywords: population ageing; population; spatial planning; Bistrița-Năsăud County; Romania