Role of industry in social and economic growth of Silesian voivodship centres

Abstract

Participation of industry in economic structures of the Silesian province was decreasing between 1984 and 2006. The biggest impact it had was on changes of labour markets. During the analysed period, the number of workplaces in the province decreased from 1, 714, 404 in 1984 to 1, 058, 576 in 2006, which is about 36%. In the same time, the share of industry in the regional labour market fell down from 1, 149, 319 to 503, 190 (about 56%). As a result, the participation of industry in general employment dropped down from 65% to 45%. Similar trends could be observed in changes between the economic centres of the Silesian province. The number of workplaces decreased by about 38% in regional economy, while employment in industry was reduced by about 58%. As a result, the participation of industry in general employment dropped to the level of 21%. Significant changes could be observed in the economic structure of individual centres of the province. In the years of centrally planned economy, the structure of workplaces in the centres was dominated by industrial-specialized, industrial, and industrial-service types (96,4%). In 2006, the structure was more differentiated, with the predominating types being service-industrial, industrial-service, and service ( 70,5% ).