Preparing for Demographic Change in the Banská Bystrica Region, Slovak Republic

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of demographic adaptation strategies for the Bansk?Bystrica Region (BBSK), a predominantly rural and mountainous region in Central Slovakia. The region is undergoing sustained demographic decline: between 2000 and 2023 its population fell by 6.8%, while in 2022 the youth net outmigration rate in Central Slovakia reached -0.4%, and the population continues to age rapidly. The report explores how the region can adapt and boost its attractiveness as a place to live and undertake economic activity through integrated approaches across three core dimensions: spatial and land-use planning, overcoming fragmentation in territories; multi-level governance and subnational finance, boosting municipal capacity; and service delivery, ensuring access to healthcare, education, and transport in sparsely populated areas. The analysis draws on data and assessments across these dimensions to identify concrete actions, ranging from the development of affordable housing and strengthened inter-municipal cooperation for more efficient service delivery, to improvements in education and healthcare systems, and enhanced social and economic inclusion of marginalised communities, particularly the Roma. The report was developed as part of Pillar 2 of the European Commission's Talent Booster Mechanism, an initiative supporting regions in training, retaining and attracting people with the necessary skills and competences to mitigate the impact of demographic transition.