AGE-SEX STRUCTURE OF SLOVENIANS IN VOJVODINA IN THE SECOND HALF OF 20th AND ON THE BEGGINIG OF 21st CENTURY
Tamara Kovacevic*, Milka Bubalo Zivkovic, Andelija Ivkov
University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel management, Trg dositeja Obradovica 3, novi Sad, Serbia * e-mail: snstamara@yahoo.com
Izvirni znanstveni clanek COBISS 1.01
Abstract
Age-sex structure of Slovenians in Vojvodina is elaborated in this paper. Particular attention was given to the period after the World War Second. Identification of tendencies in age structure of Slovenians was the main task of the paper. Statistic methods and mathematics proceedings are used to compare different parameters of age structure (e.g. middle age, index of ageing etc). The paper confirms that Slovenians are one of the oldest ethnic groups in Vojvodina population. Results will enrich knowledge about Slovenians in Vojvodina. They might be used in function of demography.
Key words: age structure, Slovenians, Vojvodina
STAROSTNA IN SPOLNA STRUKTURA SLOVENCEV V VOJVODINI
V	OBDOBJU OD 2. SVETOVNE VOJNE DO ZAČETKA 21. STOLETJA
Izvleček
V	prispevku je predstavljena starostna in spolna sestava Slovencev v Vojvodini. Posebna pozornost je namenjena obdobju po 2. svetovni vojni in analizi sprememb starostne sestave. Različni pokazatelji te sestave (srednja starost, indeks staranja, idr.) so bili analizirani s pomočjo statističnih in matematičnih postopkov. Rezultati prinašajo nova spoznanja o demografsko sliko Vojvodine z vidika Slovencev in opozarjajo na njihovo neugodno starostno sestavo. So namreč ena od starejših etničnih skupin, ki jim od nadaljevanju ugotovljenih trendov grozi izumrtje.
Ključne besede: starostna sestava, Slovenci, Vojvodina
1.	INTRODUCTIONS
From 1918 to 1991, Vojvodina and Slovenia, as regions, have been parts of the same country. The name of the country has occasionally been changed. For example, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians was formed in 1918. In 1929, country had changed the name into The Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After the World War Second, it appeared as Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia. From 1953, the same state has changed its name into the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In 1991 Slovenia has proclaimed independence.
The first census of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians was held in 1921. Then, Slovenians in Vojvodina, as ethnic category, appeared. Next census had occurred in 1931. The World War Second had gotten negative influence on the censuses time. For example, census in 1941 was not held. Instead of it, next two censuses were organized in 1948 and in 1953. In the paper, particular attention is given to the last forty years. In that period, four censuses were held in the equal periods (table 1). Last census was held eleven years after the previous one. It is important because it gives the freshest information about the population.
During the 20th century, populations have often moved into the frame of the state border, because of different reasons. The most movement had the population which worked in the Yugoslav army. The Important number of Slovenians in Vojvodina arrived in that way. For population from mountain country, as Slovenia is, fertile terrain of Vojvodina was very attractive. Vojvodina was one of the main sources of raw material for food industry in Yugoslavia. Many Slovenians in Vojvodina arrived because of works in regional offices for different enterprises of Slovenia. Generally speaking, Slovenians in Vojvodina have always represented small community. Therefore, censuses have been one of the small numbers of evidences of existence of Slovenians in Vojvodina.
For centuries, Vojvodina has been traditionally multi confessional region. Like other 29 nations in Vojvodina, Slovenians are also very important part of its identity.
2.	THE NUMBER OF SLOVENIANS IN VOJVODINA
The first census of the country of South Slav nations, in 1921, shows that then it was only about eight thousands Slovenians in Vojvodina Region. According to the Census of 1931, number of Slovenians in Vojvodina was decreased 2,6 times. It might be a consequence of the fact that the Kingdom of Serbs , Croats and Slovenians had changed the name into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia . Unrespectable declining of Slovenians in Vojvodina in 1931 appeared because of the fact that Slovenians did not declare themselves as Slovenians. Census in 1941 did not occur because of the World War Second. In 1948 the next census was organized. In 1948, in Vojvodina was registered 7223 Slovenians (table 1). It was 2,4 times more than in 1931 and 9,9 % less than in 1921. From the end of the World War Second, number of Slovenians was decreasing.
In 1921 Slovenians in Vojvodina represented only 0,5 % of population of Vojvodina. Eighty six years later, share of Slovenians in Vojvodina decreased 5 times. In 2002, only 2005 Slovenians lived in Vojvodina (table 1). According to the last census, the number of
Slovenians in Vojvodina is continuing to decrease (graph 1). Today, Slovenians represent 0,1 % of population of Vojvodina.
Table 1: Changes of number of Slovenians in Vojvodina 1961-2002
Censuses	Number of Slovenians	Males (In %)	Females (In %)	Share in population of Vojvodina	Index increase (base year 1961)	Chain index
1921.	8013	No data	No data	0,5	100,0	-
1931.	3028	No data	No data	0,2	37,8	37,8
1948.	7223	No data	No data	0,4	90,1	238,5
1953.	6025	No data	No data	0,4	75,2	83,4
1961.	5633	47,2	52,8	0,3	70,3	93,5
1971.	4639	46,0	54,0	0,2	57,9	82,4
1981.	3456	44,4	55,6	0,2	43,1	74,5
1991.	2730	44,5	55,5	0,1	34,1	79,0
2002.	2005	44,5	55,5	0,1	25,0	73,4
Source: (Kocsis, Kicosev, 2004, 1 and 2), (Republicki zavodza statistiku, 2003)
Mixed marriages have made negative influence on the feeling of ethnicity. On the Census in 1961, Yugoslavs have appeared as option of statement. Official politics tried to make Yugoslav nation. It was very fashionable until the death of the President Tito. Some of children of Slovenians in Vojvodina, who were born in mixed marriages, can declare themselves as Yugoslavs.
Graph 1: Moving the number of Slovenians in Vojvodina, According Censuses between 1921-2002
9000
6000
3000
0
1900
Years
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
2020
Slovenians are concentrated in the biggest towns of Serbia. In Belgrade, for example, live 40,8 % of the total number of Slovenians in Serbia (Ministrastvo za ljudska i manjiska prava Srbije i Crne Gore, 2004, 451). In Vojvodina live 39,3% of the total number of Slovenians in Serbia . In the capital of Vojvodina, in Novi Sad, according to last Census live 22,1 % of Slovenians in Vojvodina or 8,7 % of Slovenians in Serbia (Ministarstvo za ljudska i manjinska prava Srbije i Crne Gore, 2004, 23 and 25).
From 1961 to 2002, it was more females in the population of Slovenians. It might be because of the age structure. From 1981, differences between the share of males and females in total population of Slovenians in Vojvodina have become constant.
3. AGE STRUCTURE
According to typology of Sundbarg, in 1961 and 1971 population of Vojvodina had stationary type of age structure (Burdev, 1996, 39). After that, from Census in 1981 to 2002 its age structure becomes regressive. Census in 1961 has shown that Slovenians in Vojvodina were on the edge between stationary and regressive age structure. From Census in 1971 they belong to regressive age structure (Table 2).
Table 2: Age structure of Slovenians in Vojvodina (in %), according to censuses 1961-2002
Age structure of population of Vojvodina	Censuses				
	1961.	1971.	1981.	1991.	2002.
0-14	26,6	21,2	19,9	19,2	15,9
15-49	50,2	54,6	51,4	48,5	49,4
50+	23,1	24,1	28,7	32,3	34,8
Sum	100,0	100,0	100,0	100,0	100,0
60+	11,9	14,8	15,2	18,7	21,9
Age category of Slovenians in Vojvodina	Censuses				
	1961.	1971.	1981.	1991.	2002.
0-14	23,1	12,8	12,0	10,3	7,8
15-49	52,0	57,2	47,9	43,5	37,7
50+	24,9	30,0	40,1	46,2	54,5
Sum	100,0	100,0	100,0	100,0	100,0
60+	11,3	19,0	21,9	27,9	36,4
Source: (Republički zavod za statistiku, 2003), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1970), (Savezni zavod za statis-tiku, 1974), (Pokrajinski zavod za .statistiku, 1982), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1993)
From the middle of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century, the share of young people of Slovenians in Vojvodina has declined more than 3 times (from 23,1 in 1961 to 7,8 % in 2002). It means that in 1961, every 4th or 5th Slovenian was young. In 2002, every 13th Slovenian was 0-14 years old.
According to the censuses in 1961 and 1971, more then half population (52,0-57,2 %) of Slovenians in Vojvodina belonged to the biggest population category (15-49). That share started to decline in 1981, because the oldest category of population, which is more than 50 years old, continuously grew. In 2002, the oldest category of population of Slovenians in Vojvodina represented more than half (54,5 %) in total population.
Rosset's model was based on the share of inhabitants, who are older than 60 in total populations. In 1961, population of Vojvodina and Slovenians in Vojvodina was less then 12 % of population, who were more then 60 years old (table 2). According to this model, they belonged to the type, which Rosset named "in process of ageing". From census in 1971, both populations got more then 12 % population, who were older, than 60 years. Therefore, they have changed type of Rosset model. That type Rosset named "demographic old age". Differences between population of Vojvodina and Slovenians in Vojvodina are evident. Ageing process of Slovenians in Vojvodina is more aggressive and faster compared to the population of Vojvodina (Kicošev, Golubovic, 2004, 167-184).
If age groups were put into the graph, usually it could get age pyramid. Age pyramids are the most descriptive way for analysis of age structure.
4. POPULATION PYRAMIDS
The most important demographic characteristic of a population is its age-sex structure. Age-sex pyramids graphically display this information to improve understanding and ease comparison. Age-sex pyramids display the percentage of a population broken down by gender and age. According to that, comparisons between them are allowed (Breznik, 1980). The five-year age increments on the y-axis allow the pyramid to vividly reflect long term trends in the birth and death rates but also reflect shorter term baby-booms, wars, and epidemics.
Graph 2: Age structure of Slovenians in Vojvodina (in %), according to census 1961
1961 Females
10.0	8.0	6.0	4.0	2.0	0.0
1961 Males
J.l
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
1U U
12.0
12.0
The pyramid of 1961 has already gotten stationary type (graph 2). The biggest population groups of Slovenians in Vojvodina were between 25-40 years old. They were born in the period between two World Wars. In the second age groups were their children, e.g. age groups, who were born after the World War Second. These age groups were smaller than previous. There are few explanations. For example, families with many children were not in fashion any more. Mixed marriages were in fashion. From census in 1961, Yugoslavs as possibility of declaration has started to exist. Some Slovenians in mixed marriages have declared their children as Yugoslavs. Anomaly in the pyramid was perceived in population group, who were born during the First and Second World War.
From the sex aspect, male population groups compared to females were numerous in the four youngest age groups (0-19) and in the three last age groups (55+). Conclusion is that females of Slovenians in Vojvodina were often born in the period between two World Wars.
In 1971, population became 10 years older than in 1961, but relations between sizes of age categories were repeated in the pyramid of 1971 (graph 3). Shares of two categories of the youngest population are the smallest compared to the others. Pyramid has started to transform in regressive form. Because of smaller number of children, basis of Pyramid was reduced. Small basis of pyramid means that population might felt e.g. lost the future (graph 3).
Graph 3: Age structure of Slovenians in Vojvodina (in %), according to census 1971
1971 Males	1971 Females
4.0	12.0	10.0	8.0	6.0	4.0	2.0	0.
Males of Slovenians in Vojvodina were dominant compared to females in the oldest age category and in the five youngest age categories.
According to the Census of 1981, number of Slovenians was decreased more than 1,6 times compared to 1961. The oldest age category (65+) dominated in age pyramid (17,2 %). Other shares did not exceed 10 % (graph 4). Population that was born in the second half of the twenties was numerous. They were between 50-54 years and they were not any more in reproduction period. After them, share in total population of Slovenians in Vojvodina belong to generations that were born at the beginning of thirties of the 20th century. Shares of the
youngest population (0-19) of Slovenians in total population of Slovenians in Vojvodina didn't exceed 5 %. They were born in the decade with the most babies in Vojvodina Province.
Males were dominant in age groups 0-34, but females were dominant in other seven older age groups (graph 4). Because of hard work and unhealthy way of life, males generally live shorter than females.
Graph 4: Age structure of Slovenians in Vojvodina (in %), according to census 1981
1981 Females
]
I
I
-1
■
: □
zzi
: ]
]
0	5.0	10.0	15.0	20.0	25.0
65 + 60-64 55-55 55-54 44-44 44-44 35-39 30-34 22-22 22-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4
16.0 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0	4.0	2.0	0.0
Census in 1991, it was the last census of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, state which had incorporated Republic of Slovenia and Vojvodina Province . According to that census, shares of age categories have shown certain regularity. The youngest age category has the least share (2,9 %) and the oldest has the most shares (18,6 %) in total population of Slovenians in Vojvodina. Pyramids got regressive form. Share of females of Slovenians in Vojvodina was numerous compared to males in the four oldest age categories (50+) and in the age category 10-14 (graph 5).
After the separation of Slovenia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has started to decompose. For only five years, territory of Yugoslavia was reduced more than 2,5 times. Vojvodina as Province of Serbia was influenced from different internal and external factors. Among census in 1991 and 2002 political situation was unstable. Civil wars were in the neighborhood. Because of that, economic crisis and embargo had negative influence on the quality of life of population. At the end of the last decade of the 20th century, NATO aggression occurred. Consequently, many people abandoned Vojvodina.
In terminology of the last Census, Slovenians have transformed from ethic group of Yugoslav people into the national minority. According to census in 2002, share of age category 65+ was the biggest (26,4 %) compared to other age categories of Slovenians in Vojvodina. More then % of Slovenians in Vojvodina were more then 65 years old. Age pyramid of Slovenians in Vojvodina became slimmer than 1991 (graph 6). Share in every age category was diminished. It could be the consequence of mixed marriages, but some Slovenians, especially from reproductive age categories, have moved abroad.
Graph 5: Age structure of Slovenians in Vojvodina (% of both sex total populations), according to census 1991
Share of females of Slovenians in Vojvodina was numerous compared to males only in three age categories, two the oldest and in the age category 10-14.
Graph 6: Age structure of Slovenians in Vojvodina (in %), according to census 2002
2002 Females
S
(2,0 28,0 24,0 20,0 16,0 12,0
0,0	4,0
8,0 12,0 16,0 20,0 24,0 28,0 32,0
5. average AGE
In 1995, Panev gave parameters for seven different stages of age. According to him, in the second half of the 20th century, Slovenians in Vojvodina were passing through three stages of age (Vojkovic, Devedzic, 1997, 33-41). In 1661, they were in the threshold of demographic ageing. Average age from Census in 1971 shows that Slovenians in Vojvodina
were in demographic ageing (table 3,4). From Census in 1981 to Census 2002, Slovenians in Vojvodina were in the deepest ageing.
Table 3. Stages of demographic age and criteria for their identification
Stages	Average age	Index of ageing
1. Early demographic youth	< 20 years	< 0,07
2. Demographic youth	20-25	0,07-0,14
3. Demographic maturation	25-30	0,14-0,28
4. Threshold of demographic ageing	30-35	0,28-0,50
5. Demographic ageing	35-40	0,50-0,83
6. Deep demographic ageing	40-43	0,83-1,25
7. Deepest demographic ageing	43+	1,25+
Source: (Panev, 1995, 117-145)
Average ages in both cases (in the case of Vojvodina population and in the case of Slovenians in Vojvodina) are uprising. From 1961, Slovenians in Vojvodina had higher values of average age compared to the population of Vojvodina. In every following Census, their differences were bigger. Distinction in average age among Slovenians in Vojvodina and population of Vojvodina were 1,6 years in 1961 and 9,3 in Census in 2002 (graph 7). According to Panev (1995) and to data from last Census population of Vojvodina is on the threshold of the last stage. Demographic situation is very serious in Vojvodina at all.
Table 4: Average age of Slovenians in Vojvodina, according to censuses 1961-2002
	Year	1961.	1971.	1981.	1991.	2002.*
Sum	Population of Vojvodina	32,2	34,4	35,8	37,7	39,8
	Slovenians in Vojvodina	33,8	39,5	43,7	46,4	49,1
Male	Population of Vojvodina	31,2	35,4	34,9	39,0	38,3
	Slovenians in Vojvodina	33,0	38,6	41,2	43,4	46,3
Female	Population of Vojvodina	33,2	33,3	37,4	36,3	41,3
	Slovenians in Vojvodina	34,6	40,5	45,7	48,9	51,4
Source: (Republički zavod za statistiku, 2003), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1970), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1974), (Pokrajinski zavod za .statistiku, 1982), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1993) * Data for 2002 are taken from following source: Republicki zavod za statistiku, 2003
Average age of population is very important because of its reproductive ability. It is known that female reproductive period ends at 45. From the seventh decade of the 20th century, an average age female of Slovenians in Vojvodina was exceeded reproduction ability. From the middle of seventies, the number of Slovenians in Vojvodina couldn't grow by natural reproduction (table 4). According to Census in 2002, average age of female population of
Vojvodina has just approached to 4th decade. Politics of population must very quickly find solutions to rescue population in Vojvodina at all.
Graph 7: Average age of Slovenians in Vojvodina, according to censuses 1961-2002
CO
g 5O
AO
195O 196O 19?O 19SO 199O 2OOO 2O1O
6. MEDIAN AGE
Median age is good and very often used parameter when compared to an average age. Because, extremely values of the five-year age groups didn't make influence on the average age (Burdev, 1996, 41). From 1961 to 2002, median age of Slovenians in Vojvodina was constantly increased. Compared to Vojvodina population, median age of Slovenians in Vojvodina increased faster. From 1961 to 2002, median age of population of Vojvodina was increased for 10,3 years. In the same period, median age of Slovenians in Vojvodina was increased for 20,4 years (table 5).
Table 5: Median age of Slovenians in Vojvodina, according censuses 1961-2002
	1961.	1971.	1981.	1991.	2002.
Population of Vojvodina					
Summ	30,0	33,5	34,6	37,4	40,3
Males	28,9	32,1	33,2	36,0	38,6
Females	31,2	34,8	36,4	38,8	42,0
Slovenians in Vojvodina					
Summ	32,1	38,4	44,6	47,6	52,5
Males	30,8	37,0	41,4	43,3	49,3
Females	33,2	39,6	46,7	51,1	55,8
Source: (Republički zavod za statistiku, 2003), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1970), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1974), (Pokrajinski zavod za .statistiku, 1982), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1993)
Population of Vojvodina	m Slovenians in Vojvodina
					49 1
			AST--—	A&A——	
		295'--		3? ?	39.S
	SSS*—	34.4 _			
					
	32.2				
					
In observed period, median age of females of Slovenians in Vojvodina is higher compared to males (graph 8). Explanation might be in fact that those women are numerous because they live longer.
Graph 8: Median age of Slovenians in Vojvodina, according censuses 1961-2002
□ Summ ■ Male □ Female
& m I 55.
50. S 45. 40. 35. 30. 25. 20.
1961.
1971.
1981.
1991.
2002 Census
7. THE OLD AGE INDEX
If the old age index is less then 0,4, population is young. If value is above of this number, then population indicates age (Rančic, 1980, 190). According to Census in 1961, Population of Vojvodina and Slovenians in Vojvodina were still young population. The limit of 0,4 was already passed in 1971 (table 6). However, in both cases, old age index has grown slowly. In 1971, the old age of Slovenians in Vojvodina has had similar value of old age index (0,91) as population of Vojvodina from census in 2002 (0,97). From 1961 to 2002, the old age index of Slovenians in Vojvodina was increased more then 7,5 times (graph 9).
Graph 9: Age index of Slovenians in Vojvodina, according censuses 1961-2002
Table 6: Age index of Slovenians in Vojvodina, according censuses 1961-2002
Censuses	1961.	1971.	1981.	1991.	2002.
Population of Vojvodina	0,36	0,49	0,57	0,73	0,97
Slovenians in Vojvodina	0,38	0,91	1,30	1,89	2,86
Source: (Republički zavod za statistiku, 2003), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1970), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1974), (Pokrajinski zavod za .statistiku, 1982), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1993)
8. COEFFICIENTS OF OLD AGE AND YOUTH
Coefficients of old age directly show negative age process in some population. Age process includes increase of the share of population, which is older, than 60 in totals. When that number passes by 120%o, than population starts to be age in demographic sense (Kicošev, Golubovic, 2004, 174). Since 1971, population of Vojvodina, according to that parameter, has been in age process. Slovenians in Vojvodina entered the age process in 1961 (table 7). In 2002, its coefficient was almost 1,7 times higher compared to population of Vojvodina.
Table 7: Coefficients of old age andyouth of Slovenians in Vojvodina (in %%), according censuses 1961-2002
Census	1961.	1971.	1981.	1991.	2002.
Coefficient of old age					
Population of Vojvodina	119,0	147,8	152,3	187,5	218,6
Slovenians in Vojvodina	113,3	190,3	218,8	278,8	363,6
Coefficient of youth					
Population of Vojvodina	332,3	300,2	267,5	257,1	226,4
Slovenians in Vojvodina	295,0	209,7	168,1	147,3	127,2
Source: (Republički zavod za statistiku, 2003), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1970), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1974), (Pokrajinski zavod za statistiku, 1982), (Savezni zavod za statistiku, 1993)
Coefficient of youth in both cases decreased, but in the case of Slovenians in Vojvodina decreasing is bigger. In 1961, population of Vojvodina has 1,1 time higher coefficient of youth than Slovenians in Vojvodina. In 2002, difference was higher. Coefficient of youth of Slovenians in Vojvodina was 1,8 times less than coefficient of youth of population of Vojvodina (table 7). From 1961 to 2002, coefficient of youth of Slovenians in Vojvodina decreased 2,3 times.
9. CONCLUSION
During the 20th century, every new census has noted decrease of the number of Slovenians in Vojvodina and especially decreasing of the young generations. All parameters of age structure show that Slovenians in Vojvodina are very old. According to the last census, aver-
age age of Slovenians in Vojvodina was 49,1 year, but median age was lower (40,3 year). Old age index was almost 3 times higher compared to population of Vojvodina (2,86). Coefficient of old age approach 364 %% and coefficient of youth was 127,2 %o. If Slovenians in Vojvodina do not stop age process, they would disappear. From this historical moment, efforts must be intensive.
Slovenians in Vojvodina have always been small community. Small number of Slovenians in Vojvodina was the result of the fact that they have never had radio, television, newspaper, schools etc. on Slovenian language, as other more numerous national minorities (Hungarians, Romanians, Slovaks etc.) have. They have always lived under strong influence of other ethnicity. From 1961 to 1981, in Vojvodina was very popular to feel as Yugoslav. Mixed marriages were in fashion too. All these factors have transformed and assimilated Slovenians, or motivated them to migrate abroad. In the end of the 20th century, independence of Republic Slovenia, instable political and bad economic situation in Vojvodina have promoted emigration.
In this historical moment, Slovenians return in Vojvodina from commercial reasons. Because of that, number of Slovenians in Vojvodina might arise. Age structure might revive. Potentials exist, but nobody knows yet, if they could be utilized.
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starostna in spolna struktura slovencev v vojvodini v obdobju od 2. svetovne vojne DO ZAČETKA 21. STOLETJA
Summary
Ena od številnih etničnih skupin, ki prebiva v Vojvodini, so tudi Slovenci. Njihov delež in absolutno število je bilo od nekdaj majhno, v zadnjih desetletjih se še zmanjšuje. Od drugega desetletja 20. stoletja, ko jih je bilo po popisu leta 1921 nekaj več kot 8000, do začetka 21. stoletja (po popisu leta 2002 jih je bilo še 2005), se je število Slovencev zmanjšalo za skoraj štiri- krat. Za nadaljni obstoj narodnostne manjšine je zaskrbljujoča starostna sestava, saj močno prevladuje staro prebivalstvo. Delež starejših od 50 let se je podvojil; od 24,9 % leta 1961, na 54,5 % leta 2002. Starostna piramida za Slovence v Vojvodini tudi kaže neugodno stanje, saj se je iz zrelega tipa leta 1961, spremenila v skrajno regresiven tip leta 2002. Povprečna starost Slovencev v Vojvodini se je dvignila iz skoraj 34 let (leta 1961) na 49 let (leta 2002). Bolj realistično sliko starostne sestave prebivalstva daje mediana. V obravnavanem obdobju se je povečala za več kot 1,6 krat; iz 32,1 (leta 1961) na 52,5 let (leta 2002). Glede na popise prebivalstva se je indeks starejšega prebivalstva Vojvodine, ki se opredeljuje za Slovence, povečal za 7,5 krat. V zadnjih štirih desetletjih se je koeficient starega prebivalstva povečal za 2,3 krat. Slovenci so postali glede na starostno sestavo ena od starejših narodnostnih manjšin v Vojvodini. Če se proces staranja ne bo ustavil, kar je realno pričakovanje, obstaja možnost, da bodo Slovenci v Vojvodini izginili.
Sedanji nezavidljivi položaj slovenske manjšine v Vojvodini je ob historično majhni številčnosti posledica tudi dejstva, da niso imeli možnosti za ohranjanje jezika in narodnostne zavesti. V primerjavi z nekaterimi drugimi manjšinami, npr. Madžari, Romuni in Slovaki, niso imeli šol v slovenskem jeziku, niti medijev. K veliki asimilaciji so prispevali tudi mešani zakoni in dejstvo, da se je bilo v obdobju med 1961 in 1981 zelo moderno opredeljevati za Jugoslovane. K zmanjšanju števila Slovencev je prispevala tudi osamosvojitev Slovenije leta 1991 in dogodki, ki so spremljali razpad nekdanje Jugoslavije. Vojvodina je postala za Slovence zaradi slabega ekonomskega položaja in nestabilnih političnih razmer v Srbiji neprivlačna, zato se jih je del izselil.