THE BORDER REGIONS OF SERBIA: PERIPHERAL OR MARGINAL AREAS

The border regions of Serbia are marked by numerous problems that arise from their peripheral position. They mostly encompass municipalities that are underdeveloped, as compared to the rest of the country; unfavourable demographic characteristics are manifested in the long-term depopulation and out-migration and progressive population ageing. The purpose of the study is to explore their heterogeneity. By means of cluster analysis, groups of municipalities were identified according to the degree of development and demographic characteristics. Starting from theoretical and methodological concepts used in defining peripheral and marginal areas, the degree of peripherality/marginality is determined in the border areas of Serbia. The introduction of a large number of demographic indicators enables a more detailed analysis of border regions of Serbia and the identification of advantages and disadvantages of their development potentials.