Recent Demographic Transformations in the Prut River Basin During the 2014-2024 Period: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

This paper analyzes the demographic dynamics within the Prut River hydrographic basin over the 2014-2024 decade, frameworked by the "Siret-Prut-Nistru" and "Lower Danube" Euroregions. The study aims to identify evolutionary trends in population size, age structure, and natural movement indicators across riparian localities. The methodology integrates comparative analysis, statistical methods, and GIS cartographic representation, relying on official usual residence data and census results provided by BNS and INS. The findings reveal severe depopulation, with rural population decline exceeding the critical threshold of 30%. Structural analysis highlights pronounced demographic ageing (mean age > 40 years) and a massive productive exodus, phenomena that directly jeopardize the socio-economic sustainability of critical utility infrastructure (water and sanitation). Ultimately, the study underscores strategic opportunities driven by cross-border cooperation, smart water management, and eco-tourism to stabilize and retain regional human capital. UDC: 314.04”2014/2024”(478); JEL: J11, R11, Q56