تحولات و فرايند تخليه جمعيتي روستاهاي شهرستان بيرجند(مقطع زماني 75-1335)

Changes and Process of Rural Depopulation of Birjand County During 1956-1996

This paper reviews the process of depopulation resulting from extensive rural out-migrations in the Birjand county. Since the rural out-migrations are often likely to occur in active age groups in terms of economy and fertility, they frequently lead to the villages evacuated from the active and productive population as well as a disordered age pyramid of population which in turn result in the increasing weaknesses within social, economic and life foundations of the villages. As shown by the findings of this research, the populations of Birjand villages are heterogeneous and unbalanced interms of the population growth, and varied as far as the internal changes and composition are concerned. Moreover, most of the villages have experienced a negative growth which has caused an extensive evacuation of their active populations. This study has drawn on a descriptive-investigative method of research. Statistical sample population covers four sub-districts including 224 villages. Basic criteria to select the sample population include geographical population distribution, households, number of populated and deserted villages, manner of settlement, and degree of vulnerability to the depopulation phenomenon.