THE IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC RESILIENCE ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRIES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE VISEGRAD GROUP COUNTRIES)

Abstract

The population, its physical well-being and development is a defining feature of society, the basis of the state's strength. Taking into account demographic trends is important in shaping strategies for economic development. Understanding the impact of population changes on the labour market, consumer demand, investment climate, and population expenditures is crucial for creating a sustainable and competitive economy. The demographic resilience of a country is determined by its ability to ensure quantitative and qualitative reproduction of demographic structures at various stages of historical development. Demographic resilience is a dynamic category that changes over time, and the level of a country's demographic resilience is defined by the parameters of its functioning. The level of demographic resilience depends on trends in population reproduction and mortality, demographic dependency, migration processes, gender equality, and the development of the healthcare system. Under these conditions, the assessment of the demographic resilience of the Visegrad Group countries was carried out in the context of these specified directions, allowing for the calculation of an indicator of the level of demographic resilience for Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The analysis of the level of demographic resilience in the Visegrad Group countries in-dicates an average value. However, the analysis of reproduction and mortality indicators suggests the presence of demographic crises in these countries. Population decline, falling birth rates, and an increase in mortality rates are key characteristics of the demographic crisis. Therefore, the Visegrad Group countries need to implement effective policy measures to ensure the development and efficient use of human capital, as well as social protection for migrants, refugees, and citizens, at a sufficient level through a politically and financially stable system.