Population growth rate (percent). It represents the average annual growth of the population in a specific time frame (2001-2011 or 2002-2012) using the formula: ((Pop_t – Pop_s)/ (Pop_s * (t-s)) where t = last year and s = first year. Demographic trends are not equally spread across the Alps and it is thus not possible to highlight a single trend regarding Alpine population. Moreover, areas affected by population growth and population loss are often located close to each other, suggesting that specific conditions linked to the different administrative units may also play a relevant role in these dynamics. Data show the highest population growth trends in Tyrol and Salzburg (AT); in Haute-Savoie, Savoie and Var (FR); in Valais, Ticino and in Central Switzerland (CH). In these prospering regions, the urbanisation of the urban valley towns is evident. Due to the influence of the growing tourism sector, population gains can be noticed also in remote municipalities that are not easily accessible, particularly in tourist sites in AT, FR,CH and IT. Population loss or stagnation can be observed in the Central-Eastern AT Alps, in the CH Canton of Uri, in areas of the IT Alps and in the upper areas of SL. Agglomeration processes are shown in the Alps, where the population tends to coagulate in the proximity of the urban areas and along the main transportation access routes. Different agglomeration levels can be observed, both within a single country and across countries. In FR, CH and DE, this process seems generally slower, with a lower population decrease in remote areas in comparison with IT and AT, where the situation varies greatly according to the territory considered and is not homogeneous, with a more severe population loss in more remote areas and a stable or increasing population along the main transportation roads and urban areas. Agglomeration processes seem to have gone at a steadier pace in the last 10 years in IT and AT, with respect to FR, DE and CH.

This map is published within the 5th Report on the state of the Alps (RSA5).

Author: Elisa Ravazzoli, Institute for regional development and location management, EURAC.

Sources:
- Statistical Data: National Statistical Offices; Terrain: USGS (2006); Administrative boundaries: ©EuroGeographics, 2009;
National border: ESRI;
Year data: Data from Austria, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Slovenia refer to 2012 or 2013; Data from France refer to 2010 Census Data.

The layer can be accessed through WMS services at http://www.atlas.alpconv.org/geoserver/ows?service=wms&version=1.3.0&request=GetCapabilities