Łódź – a shrinking city: causes and effects of depopulation, opportunities for counteraction

Abstract

Since the late 1980s Łódź has been experiencing a rapid population decline, the fastest of Poland’s ten largest cities. In the period 1985–2020, Łódź lost over 20% of its population, falling in 2021 to fourth place in Poland in terms of size. The main causes were a very low natural increase and a high mortality rate, resulting in an annual population loss of some 5–7000 inhabitants. This was due, among other factors, to the rapid ageing of its population. A negative migration balance to a lesser extent contributed to population decline. These processes are the results of the political and economic changes which were initiated in 1989 and led in Łódź to the decline of the textile industry that had been the engine of the city’s growth since the 19th century.

The local authorities of Łódź are well aware of these problems and are launching various projects designed to prevent the shrinking of the city and to boost its development .As regards urban demographic policy, the most important program is „Młodzi w Łodzi” (“Young People in Łódź”), offering numerous benefits to young people such as traineeships, work experience, free training courses, scholarships, visits to companies and discount tickets. Another urban program called “In vitro for Łódź” supports couples having problems with conception.

The demographic situation in Łódź is likely to improve due to the influx of people from Ukraine over several years seeking work in Poland, and after the outbreak of war – an inflow of refugees, some of whom will probably decide on permanent residence. During March–May 2022, the population of Łódź increased due to Ukrainians by some 9–11%.