RESIDENTIAL AXES AND DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS IN MUREȘ COUNTY
Teodora SOMEȘAN1, Călin-Cornel POP2
1 Babeș-Bolyai University, Doctoral School of Geography, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,
e-mail: teodora.somesan@ubbcluj.ro.
2 Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,
e-mail: calin.pop@ubbcluj.ro
ABSTRACT. – Residential Axes and Demographic Dynamics in Mureș County. The condition of the human component within a geographical space reflects the functionality of its social system, revealing both existing dysfunctions and favourable elements. At the European level, an accelerated trend of population decline is observed, occurring simultaneously with population ageing. This dual challenge amplifies the pressure on the sustainability of essential societal systems, particularly healthcare and pension systems. Although demographic degradation is a general concern, both its territorial extent and the severity of its effects vary significantly across Europe. Mureș County is part of an increasingly dysfunctional system in terms of its demographic component, and diagnosing the problem is the first step in attempting to mitigate its effects. Within this geographical space, three demographic trajectories can be identified: progress, stagnation, and decline. The relationship between these trajectories and the geographical axes of the county highlights their role in shaping territorial dynamics, a role that can be extrapolated to other geographical contexts.
Keywords: demographic challenges, demographic trends, geographical axes,o residential axes, territorial disparities.