Nighttime lights represent the result of satellite observation of the artificial lighting of human activities on the Earth from space during the night, which provides the excellent opportunity to determine their position, pattern, density, and spatial distribution. Such data have a high detail spatial and temporal resolution, which opens a wide range of possibilities for quantitative and qualitative analysis. In this paper, nighttime lights are used as a highly accurate dataset for indirect tracking of changes in temporal and spatial patterns of population distribution and activity in Serbia. Two indicators were applied-Lighted area and Sum of lights. They are calculated for local government units in Serbia, for 2015 and period 2015-2019. The results of the conducted analysis follow the conclusions of the existing knowledge on population distribution based on the official statistical data. Areas with a high share of lighted areas are dominantly urban and the most populated, while traditionally depopulated areas are with a low share of lighted areas. Sum of lights highlighted the distinction between developed and populated north and depressive and depopulated south of Serbia. General conclusion is that ?dark has fallen in Serbia?, not only in peripheral and rural parts of the country, but in the smaller urban centers as well, and it is steadily spreading toward bigger urban areas. With nighttime lights application, this kind of process in terms of spatial disparities, its scope and dynamics can be easily identified, analyzed, and monitored.

Rural areas have been usually observed through agriculture; however, today, it is broadened with various activities. In Serbia, it has been characterized by unbalanced development, which has led to a declining vitality and depopulation. The main goal of this research is detection of seasonally activated rural areas in Serbia, expressed through the population fluctuation, temporary settlement, or occasional use of residential and economic facilities, and identification of spatial patterns of seasonal use. This research applied an innovative proxy—nighttime lights (NTL)—as a complementary tool to statistical analyses, which are conducted in the GIS environment. The calculation encompassed two seasonality coefficients: one based on the NTL and the second based on statistical data on tourist turnover. The spatial frame applies settlement level and micro level (pixels), while temporal includes monthly values for the period 2015–2019. The obtained results highlight tourist activity as the main cause of seasonal activation of rural areas. The largest seasonal fluctuations were registered in mountain areas and spa resorts. For mountain areas, the highest seasonality is in the winter months (peak—January/February), and lowest is in the summer season. The seasonal character of spa centers indicates the similar trend, generally less pronounced (peak—January), however, with higher seasonality during the summer.

The research focus of the paper is set on the socio-economic potential of a protected area, as a key factor and a prerequisite for its development. The spatial framework of the research includes five settlements in the vicinity of Special Nature Reserve ?Carska Bara? (Northern Serbia). For the purpose of this research, they are classified into two groups, based on their distance from the fundamental phenomenon. The demographic characteristics analyses of the study area include basic demographic determinants such as population structures and migration characteristics. Population data related to the change in the number of inhabitants and the types of the total population movement were collected and analyzed, and a comparative analysis of the aging index was performed as well. In order to better understand the condition of the economic structure, the economic activity, and the structure of the active population performing occupation were analyzed by activity sections. The current state of the social infrastructure (schools, primary health care facilities, pharmacies, post offices, sports, and recreation facilities) was also considered, as one of the qualities of life indicators of the local population. The obtained results indicate an unfavorable demographic picture of the analyzed areas. These are smaller population areas, predominantly inhabited by population of the old age groups. Although they are in protected areas which, in the context of tourism, are abounding in natural potentials, but without implementing significant steps and certain measures, no progress and improvement of the demographic condition can be expected.

Human capital is an important determinant of individual and overall socio-economic development. In addition to economic parameters, human capital is significantly influenced by the level of formal and informal education attained. Previous research in this area has focused on formal education and the skills acquired concerning better positioning in the labor market. Accordingly, the main objective of the conducted research is to determine the state and level of educational attainment as prerequisite for the developm ent of human capital in Serbia. This analysis is based on a set of indicators that represent the achieved educational attainment with special focus on the young population. It is conducted for the territory of Serbia, on municipal level, which enabled the categorization of municipalities according to educational attainment. Most municipalities in Serbia are characterized by insufficient educational attainment in the local context, or in general. For the purpose of the regional disparities identification, the coefficient of human capital utilization was created, in order to identify the mismatch between education attainment and labor market demand. The research shows that it is crucial to change the general perception of demographic problems and challenges, which will allow the development of applicable and more realistic public policies in the future.

This paper tackles spatial mobility of the population in the Republic of Serbia, according to the census data from 1981 to 2011, and annual data given by The Statistical office of the Republic of Serbia from 2002-2013. The aim of this paper is to establish the basic characteristics of the inner population mobility and to point out the regional inequalities. Analysis shows that on the territory of Serbia there is inter-municipal definitive and temporary migration, and that its direction and intensity change over time. Increased population mobility can be observed towards Belgrade area, as well as other regional centers: Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Nis. The conclusion is that Serbia is in its late transition phase of spatial mobility of population, with prominent daily migrations in large city areas, especially Belgrade area. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 47007: Geografija Srbije]

The aim of this paper is to review and point out the demographic situation and processes happening in Lika Region (Republic of Croatia) today, as well as to describe the changes in the population structure with particular emphasis on changes in the ethnic structure of the population that have occurred over the past two decades. For centuries, Lika has been inhabited by the population of dual religious structure with different socio-cultural and linguistic characteristics. The area where the diverse population of Lika’s variety lives today is characterized by clear and steady depopulation, changed population structure (age, ethnicity) and changed adiministative and territorial organization. Jovan Cvijić in his Balkan Peninsula and the South Slavic Countries in this group (Lika’s variety) places the population living “between the Velebit mountain on the west and Kapela and Plješevica on the east”. This is the area of today’s southwestern Croatia, consisting of two towns (Gospić, Otočac) and eight municipalities (Brinje, Donji Lapac, Gračac, Lovinac, Perušić, Plitvice Lakes, Udbina, Vrhovine), belonging to two counties (Lika-Senj, Zadar).