Demography and security, a complex nexus: the case of the Balkans

Demographic shifts, settlement patterns and population movements profoundly alter the geo-political landscape with important ramifications for human security. Though the theoretical framework is not as yet fully elaborated, the growing volume of relevant literature reflects a fast-growing interest in the political and international implications of demographic phenomena. Demography poses new challenges both for public policy and for international relations. This paper aims to offer an overview of the possible linkages between demographic dynamics and human security, focusing on the case of south-eastern Europe in the post-communism era. This region gives a striking illustration of the relevance of demographic trends to security, highlighting the multilayered linkages between economic and social transition and stability.