Demographic History of Montenegro
Encyclopedia
This article presents the demographic history of Montenegro through census
results and official documents which mention demographic composition. See Demographics of Montenegro
for a more detailed overview of the current demographics of Montenegro.
.
Various documents listed that the inhabitants of Medieval Doclea
or Zeta were Serbs,, but also minor populations of Latins
, Albanians
and Vlachs
. The language in usage was primarily the Serbian dialect of Old Slavonic
, while in the early stages Latin
also had importance and Greek
to an extent among the high-class members of the society.
Between the 15th and 17th century, Montenegro had little history on paper, however it is said that the Montenegrin population never exceeded 10 000. During these years, hundreds of families of Bosnian- and Rascian Serbs
sought refuge in the highlands of Montenegro. Medieval documents state that the citizens of Montenegro were Serbs.
was a public servant of the Republic of Venice. The main objective of his 1614 report and description of the Sanjak of Shkodra
was to provide information on the land routes which could best be utilized by local couriers conveying official correspondence from Venice to Constantinople and back, and to survey the military potential of the territory. He provided a very detailed overview of towns and villages in Montenegro and northern Albania in the early 17th century. The report concluded an ethnic Serb majority, while an Albanian minority was present in the Shkodra region.
By literacy:
The Princedom had around 5,000 Albanians
and a colony of 800 Romas.
The 1909 official census was undertaken by the authorities of the Principality of Montenegro
. Ethnicity was decided according to the mother tongue and religion
, the official language
being the Serbian language
:
Total: 317,856 inhabitants. By language:
By religion:
Conclusion:
In a geographic textbook for Montenegrin 3rd graders of elementary school
, it was written that:
.
, Bar
, Kolasin
, Niksic
, Podgorica
and Cetinje
, which are categorized in official statistics as Montenegro, there were:
Total: 199,227 inhabitantsAlbanian
: 16,838 ( 8.45%)
The counties Berane
and Bijelo Polje
, which are today in Montenegro, were considered counties of Old Serbia
:
Bijelo Polje
, total 26,147 inhabitants, Serbs
26,136 ( 99.96%)
Summed results:
Total: 249,238 inhabitantsothers, mostly Albanians
Total population for the area of modern-day Montenegro in precise was 311,341.
Total: 360,044 inhabitants
:Serbian Orthodox: 272,702 (80.88%)
:Roman Catholics: 26,070 (7.24%)
:Muslim
s 61,038 (16.96%)
:Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian languages
: 339,955 (90.13%)
:Albanian language
: 18,098 (5.03%)
, Communist Yugoslavia was formed, and Montenegro was proclaimed as one of its constituent republics. The 1948 and following censa were taken by the Republic of Montenegro.
Total: 377,189 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 342,009 (90.67%)
:Albanians
: 19,425 or (5.15%)
:Croats
: 6,808 or (1.8%)
:Serbs
: 6,707 or (1.78%)
:Undecided Muslims: 387 (0.1%)
:Others: 1860 or (0.52%)
::Slovenes: 484
::Germans
: 375
::Russians
: 277
::Italians: 162
::Roma: 162
::Macedonians: 133
::Czechs: 93
::Hungarians: 62
Total: 419,873 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 363,686 (86.61%)
:Albanians
: 23,460 (5.58%)
:Serbs
: 13,864 (3.3%)
:Croats
: 9,814 (2.33%)
:Yugoslavs
: 6,424 (1.52%)
:Others: 2,625 (0.66%)
This census witnesses the forming of the Yugoslav
nation.
Total: 471,894 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 383,988 (81.37%)
:Muslims
: 30,665 (6.5%)
:Albanians
: 25,803 (5.47%)
:Serbs
: 14,087 (2.99%)
:Croats
: 10,664 (2.26%)
:Yugoslavs
: 1,559 (0.33%)
In 1968 the Communist Yugoslav government introduced a new category, Muslims by nationality
.
Total 529,604 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 355,632 (67.15%)
:Muslims
: 70,236 (13.26%)
:Serbs
: 39,512 or (7.46%)
:Albanians
: 35,671 (6.74%)
:Yugoslavs
: 10,943 (2.07%)
:Croats
: 9,192 (1.74%)
Total: 584,310 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 400,488 (68.54%)
:Muslims
: 78,080 (13.36%)
:Albanians
: 37,735 (6.46%)
:Yugoslavs
: 31,243 (5.35%)
:Serbs
: 19,407 (3.32%)
:Croats
: 6,904 (1.81%)
:Roma: 1,471 (0.25%)
:Macedonian: 875 (0.15%)
:Slovenes: 564 (0.1%)
:Hungarians: 238 (0.04%)
:Germans
: 107 (0.02%)
:Russians
: 96 (0.02%)
:Italians: 45 (0.01%)
:Other: 816 (0.14%)
:No response: 301 (0.05%)
:Regional affiliation: 1,602 (0.27%)
:Unknown: 4,338 (0.74%)
:Muslims
: 89,614 (14.57%)
:Serbs
: 57,453 (9.34%)
:Albanians
: 40,415 (6.57%)
:Yugoslavs
: 26,159 (4.25%)
:Croats
: 6,244 (1.02%)
:Roma: 3,282 (0.53%)
:Macedonian: 1,072 (0.17%)
:Slovenes: 369 (0.06%)
:Hungarians: 205 (0.03%)
:Germans
: 124 (0.02%)
:Russians
: 118 (0.02%)
:Italians: 58 (0.01%)
:Other: 437 (0.07%)
:No response: 1,944 (0.32%)
:Regional affiliation: 998 (0.16%)
:Unknown: 6,076 (0.99%)
, which at this time, together with Serbia
, constituted Serbia and Montenegro
.
Total: 620,145
This census witnessed the forming of the Bosniak
nation, but some people still thought of themselves Muslims by nationality
, however. Also, there are very few people left who consider themselves Yugoslavs. But the biggest difference compared to the 1991 census is the dramatic increase in self-identification of many inhabitants as Serbs, which was not the case in Socialist Yugoslavia.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
results and official documents which mention demographic composition. See Demographics of Montenegro
Demographics of Montenegro
This article is about the demographic features of the population of Montenegro, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.- Total population:...
for a more detailed overview of the current demographics of Montenegro.
Medieval
Duklja, today's southern half of Montenegro, under Stefan Vojislav, was inhabited by SerbsSerbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
.
Various documents listed that the inhabitants of Medieval Doclea
Duklja
Doclea or Duklja was a medieval state with hereditary lands roughly encompassing the territories of present-day southeastern Montenegro, from Kotor on the west to the river Bojana on the east and to the sources of Zeta and Morača rivers on the north....
or Zeta were Serbs,, but also minor populations of Latins
Latins
"Latins" refers to different groups of people and the meaning of the word changes for where and when it is used.The original Latins were an Italian tribe inhabiting central and south-central Italy. Through conquest by their most populous city-state, Rome, the original Latins culturally "Romanized"...
, Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
and Vlachs
Vlachs
Vlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
. The language in usage was primarily the Serbian dialect of Old Slavonic
Old Slavonic
Old Slavonic may refer to:*Old Church Slavonic language*Common Slavonic language...
, while in the early stages Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
also had importance and Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
to an extent among the high-class members of the society.
Between the 15th and 17th century, Montenegro had little history on paper, however it is said that the Montenegrin population never exceeded 10 000. During these years, hundreds of families of Bosnian- and Rascian Serbs
Rascia
Rascia was a medieval region that served as the principal province of the Serbian realm. It was an administrative division under the direct rule of the monarch and sometimes as an appanage. The term has been used to refer to various Serbian states throughout the Middle Ages...
sought refuge in the highlands of Montenegro. Medieval documents state that the citizens of Montenegro were Serbs.
1614
Mariano Bolizza of KotorKotor
Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality....
was a public servant of the Republic of Venice. The main objective of his 1614 report and description of the Sanjak of Shkodra
Sanjak of Shkodra
The Sanjak of Scutari or Sanjak of Shkodra was one of the sanjaks of the Ottoman Empire. It was established after Ottoman Empire captured Shkodër in 1479. It was part of Rumelia Eyalet until 1867, when it became a part, together with Sanjak of Skopje, of newly-established Scutari Vilayet...
was to provide information on the land routes which could best be utilized by local couriers conveying official correspondence from Venice to Constantinople and back, and to survey the military potential of the territory. He provided a very detailed overview of towns and villages in Montenegro and northern Albania in the early 17th century. The report concluded an ethnic Serb majority, while an Albanian minority was present in the Shkodra region.
18th century
The ethnic composition in the 18th century was clear among the Slavs;- In a letter to Justinian Bert in 1756, Montenegrin chieftainsSerb clansSerb clans is a general term referring to what are known as plemena and bratstva , traditional geo-political units of the Western Balkans that now richly attest social anthropology and family history . The descendants of the clans are divided by regional and lately, national affiliation...
said: "We are of the Orthodox Christian faith and law of the Eastern Church, of the honorable and glorious Slav-Serb kinSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
".
- Jovan Stefanov Balevic, of the Bratonozic clan, who later became a major in the Russian army, wrote "A brief and objective description of the present state of Montenegro" in St. Petersburg in 1757, where it said: "All inhabitants of Montenegro are ethnically Serbs and confessionally Orthodox. As they are incompetent in some skills, because of their lack of school, they are naturally capable, especially with weapons.";
- "The number of Montenegrin warriors who live free on the peaks of Montenegro, called by TurksOttoman EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
disobedient, does not exceed 5000." - "There are no artisans and schools in Montenegro except at the Cetinje monastery, within the archbishop's residence, where priests learn reading and writing in the Slav-Serb language, which is financed by the archbishop."
- "Montenegrins count among themselves neighbouring Slav-Serbs of different provenience: KuciKuciKuči is one of the Highland clans of Montenegro, and is also a name of geographical region in eastern Montenegro which the clan populates. The region is located north-east of Podgorica, and extends along the border with Albania, with the Kelmend region on the other side of the border. The...
, Bratonozici, Donji and Gornji VasojeviciVasojeviciThe Vasojevići tribe is the largest Serb clan in Montenegro. It occupies the area between Vjetarnih Lijeva Rijeka in the South and Bihor under Bijelo Polje in the North, Mateševo in the West to Plav in the East. The clan is one of seven "highland clans"...
, PiperiPiperiPiperi can mean:* Piperi, Greece, an island in Greece* Piperi clan, a clan in Montenegro* Piperi , a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, Rovcani, Moracani, BjelopavliciBjelopavliciBjelopavlići is a strip of fertile lowland in Montenegro. It stretches along the Zeta river, being wider in river's lower end, down to the confluence with Morača river near Podgorica...
, who are Serb Orthodox but OttomanOttoman EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
citizens. They, also, count Roman Catholics: HotiHotiHoti in Pukhto pronounced as Oothay is a Union council in Mardan District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The town is located 34°12'0N° 72°4'0E with an altitude of 284 metres and lies just west of Peshawar - the capital of the province and is inhabited by the Kamalzai Pashtuns, a sub-tribe of the...
, Klimenti, Grudi, TuziTuziTuzi is a town in the Podgorica municipality, Montenegro, located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake Skadar. The exact location of Tuzi is...
, Skrivali, Huzi, Maltezi, Kastrati and others who outnumber Montenegrins."
- "The number of Montenegrin warriors who live free on the peaks of Montenegro, called by Turks
- In June 1789, Montenegrin ChieftainsSerb clansSerb clans is a general term referring to what are known as plemena and bratstva , traditional geo-political units of the Western Balkans that now richly attest social anthropology and family history . The descendants of the clans are divided by regional and lately, national affiliation...
, wrote to RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n Empress Katarina II, in the name of the entire Serb Montenegrin community: "We Serbs Montenegrins hope that we shall not be left without help" and "If we could have organization and munition, we would liberate our glorious Serb lands entirely from the Barbarian yoke (Ottoman EmpireOttoman EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
), together with our armed Serb brothers who aim to attack this enemy from all sides.
19th century
- According to letters to Russia from Bishop Petar I Petrović Njegoš from March 5, 1826, "the people of Montenegro are Serb of the Orthodox Christian faith".
- According to "paragraph 92" in the code of Prince Danilo, established 1855: "Although there is no other nationality in this land except Serb nationality and no other religion except Eastern Orthodoxy..." and about SerbdomSerbdomSerbdom is an ambiguous term used by ethnic Serbs to denote a type of patriotism or solidarity of the Serbian people. It is distinguished from Serbian nationalism by lack of a political agenda and absence of antagonistic or aggressive attitudes...
: "...of our homogenous Serb nation. the Montenegrin prince has, in his heart, carved sense of love and devotion not only towards his people, but towards entire Serbdom and everything named and called - Serb."
- SchwartzSchwartz*Abe Schwartz , musician*Alan Schwartz , businessperson* Albert Schwartz, American swimmer*Allyson Schwartz *Alvin Schwartz , multiple people*Andrea Schwartz , Canadian swimmer...
estimated in 1882 that the Princedom of Montenegro had 160,000 inhabitants. Although, a more usual estimate is that it was around 230,000 inhabitants.
- In 1895, the inhabitants of Montenegro was said to be "pure Serbs" because who speak Serbian language and followers of the Eastern Orthodox Church. There was a Catholic and Muhammedan minority.
1900
In 1900, according to international sources, the Principality of Montenegro had 311,564 inhabitants. By religion:- 293,527 Serbian Orthodox (94,21%)
- 12,493 Muslims (4,01%)
- 5,544 Roman Catholic (1,78%)
By literacy:
- 77% illiterate
- 71,528 (23%) literate
The Princedom had around 5,000 Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
and a colony of 800 Romas.
1909
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. Ethnicity was decided according to the mother tongue and religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, the official language
Official language
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a...
being the Serbian language
Serbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
:
Total: 317,856 inhabitants. By language:
- SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: ~95% - others mostly AlbaniansAlbaniansAlbanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
By religion:
- Orthodox ChristiansEastern Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
: 94.38% - others (mostly Muslims)
Conclusion:
- Serbs speaking the Serbian language (Orthodox Christians): ~95%
- Others (Muslims; Albanians): ~5%
1911
In 1911, the population of Montenegro had risen to 211,909.In a geographic textbook for Montenegrin 3rd graders of elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
, it was written that:
"In Montenegro live only true and pure Serbs who speak Serbian languageSerbian languageSerbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
... Besides Montenegro there are more Serb lands in which our Serb brothers are living... Some of them are free as we are and some subjugated to foreigners[...] Each Serb in Montenegro is obligated to love his entire Fatherland, all Serb lands - in which our free and unfree Serb brothers are living."
1914
The Cetinje government stated in the Code of Law in 1914 that there are around 500,000 citizens of Montenegro. It was declared that the term Montenegrin people can only refer to all citizens of the Kingdom of Montenegro, since a Montenegrin ethnicity doesn't exist and Montenegrins are ethnic SerbsSerbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
.
1921
In 1918 Montenegro entered the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In 1921 it organised a census which recorded the mother tongue and religion. A category called Serbian or Croatian was to include all respondents who termed their mother tongue as Serbian. In the counties AndrijevicaAndrijevica
Andrijevica is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,073 . Its territory is outspread on 340 km2 and it is surrounded by massives of mountains Komovi, Bjelasica and Prokletije....
, Bar
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
, Kolasin
Kolašin
Kolašin , is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 .Kolašin is the centre of the municipality and unofficial centre of Morača region, named after Morača River....
, Niksic
Nikšic
Nikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
, Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
and Cetinje
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
, which are categorized in official statistics as Montenegro, there were:
Total: 199,227 inhabitants
- Serbian or CroatianSerbo-CroatianSerbo-Croatian or Serbo-Croat, less commonly Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian , is a South Slavic language with multiple standards and the primary language of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro...
: 181,989 (
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
: 16,838 (
The counties Berane
Berane
Berane , formerly Ivangrad, is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 11,776 .Berane is the centre of municipality and one of the centres of Polimlje area, named after the Lim River, on which Berane is situated.-History:During the medieval period the Montenegrin land of Berane...
and Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 15,883 .Bijelo Polje is the center of municipality . It is unofficial center of north-eastern region of Montenegro...
, which are today in Montenegro, were considered counties of Old Serbia
Old Serbia
Old Serbia is a modern name for the territory which was the core of medieval Serbia. It included Raška , Kosovo and Metohija and the Macedonia...
:
- BeraneBeraneBerane , formerly Ivangrad, is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 11,776 .Berane is the centre of municipality and one of the centres of Polimlje area, named after the Lim River, on which Berane is situated.-History:During the medieval period the Montenegrin land of Berane...
, total 23,864 inhabitants, SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
23,561 or (
Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 15,883 .Bijelo Polje is the center of municipality . It is unofficial center of north-eastern region of Montenegro...
, total 26,147 inhabitants, Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
26,136 (
Summed results:
Total: 249,238 inhabitants
- Serbs or Croats: 231,686 (
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
Total population for the area of modern-day Montenegro in precise was 311,341.
1931
The 1931 census was also taken by the Kingdom of Yugoslavia but was later processed in Communist Yugoslavia. Results within today's borders of Montenegro were:Total: 360,044 inhabitants
:Serbian Orthodox: 272,702 (80.88%)
:Roman Catholics: 26,070 (7.24%)
:Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s 61,038 (16.96%)
:Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian languages
Serbo-Croatian language
Serbo-Croatian or Serbo-Croat, less commonly Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian , is a South Slavic language with multiple standards and the primary language of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro...
: 339,955 (90.13%)
:Albanian language
Albanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
: 18,098 (5.03%)
1948
In 1945, after the World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Communist Yugoslavia was formed, and Montenegro was proclaimed as one of its constituent republics. The 1948 and following censa were taken by the Republic of Montenegro.
Total: 377,189 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 342,009 (90.67%)
:Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
: 19,425 or (5.15%)
:Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
: 6,808 or (1.8%)
:Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: 6,707 or (1.78%)
:Undecided Muslims: 387 (0.1%)
:Others: 1860 or (0.52%)
::Slovenes: 484
::Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
: 375
::Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
: 277
::Italians: 162
::Roma: 162
::Macedonians: 133
::Czechs: 93
::Hungarians: 62
1953
The 1953 census results:Total: 419,873 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 363,686 (86.61%)
:Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
: 23,460 (5.58%)
:Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: 13,864 (3.3%)
:Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
: 9,814 (2.33%)
:Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
: 6,424 (1.52%)
:Others: 2,625 (0.66%)
This census witnesses the forming of the Yugoslav
Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
nation.
1961
The 1961 census results:Total: 471,894 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 383,988 (81.37%)
:Muslims
Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
: 30,665 (6.5%)
:Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
: 25,803 (5.47%)
:Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: 14,087 (2.99%)
:Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
: 10,664 (2.26%)
:Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
: 1,559 (0.33%)
In 1968 the Communist Yugoslav government introduced a new category, Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
.
1971
The 1971 census results:Total 529,604 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 355,632 (67.15%)
:Muslims
Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
: 70,236 (13.26%)
:Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: 39,512 or (7.46%)
:Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
: 35,671 (6.74%)
:Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
: 10,943 (2.07%)
:Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
: 9,192 (1.74%)
1981
The 1981 census results:Total: 584,310 inhabitants
:Montenegrins: 400,488 (68.54%)
:Muslims
Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
: 78,080 (13.36%)
:Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
: 37,735 (6.46%)
:Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
: 31,243 (5.35%)
:Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: 19,407 (3.32%)
:Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
: 6,904 (1.81%)
:Roma: 1,471 (0.25%)
:Macedonian: 875 (0.15%)
:Slovenes: 564 (0.1%)
:Hungarians: 238 (0.04%)
:Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
: 107 (0.02%)
:Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
: 96 (0.02%)
:Italians: 45 (0.01%)
:Other: 816 (0.14%)
:No response: 301 (0.05%)
:Regional affiliation: 1,602 (0.27%)
:Unknown: 4,338 (0.74%)
Ethnic structure
:Montenegrins: 380,467 (61.86%):Muslims
Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
: 89,614 (14.57%)
:Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: 57,453 (9.34%)
:Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
: 40,415 (6.57%)
:Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs
Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
: 26,159 (4.25%)
:Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
: 6,244 (1.02%)
:Roma: 3,282 (0.53%)
:Macedonian: 1,072 (0.17%)
:Slovenes: 369 (0.06%)
:Hungarians: 205 (0.03%)
:Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
: 124 (0.02%)
:Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
: 118 (0.02%)
:Italians: 58 (0.01%)
:Other: 437 (0.07%)
:No response: 1,944 (0.32%)
:Regional affiliation: 998 (0.16%)
:Unknown: 6,076 (0.99%)
Linguistic structure
- SerbianSerbian languageSerbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
: 510,320 - MontenegrinMontenegrin languageMontenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
: 144,838 - AlbanianAlbanian languageAlbanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
: 43,907 - 40,008 Muslims declared their language to be Serbian, while most declared either BosniakBosnian languageBosnian is a South Slavic language, spoken by Bosniaks. As a standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect, it is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
or Bosnian languageBosnian languageBosnian is a South Slavic language, spoken by Bosniaks. As a standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect, it is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
s as their mother tongue
Religious structure
- Eastern OrthodoxEastern Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
- 425,133- Montenegrins - 241,728
- SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
- 196,333
- MuslimsIslamIslam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
- 118,016- AlbaniansAlbaniansAlbanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
- 26,216 - Montenegrins - 82,492
- YugoslavsYugoslavsYugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
- 1,856
- Albanians
- Catholic - 27,153
- AlbaniansAlbaniansAlbanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
- 12,772 - YugoslavsYugoslavsYugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
- 4,149 - Montenegrins - 3,081
- Albanians
2003
The 2003 census was undertaken by authorities in MontenegroMontenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, which at this time, together with Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, constituted Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro was a country in southeastern Europe, formed from two former republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia : Serbia and Montenegro. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, it was established in 1992 as a federation called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
.
Total: 620,145
Ethnic structure
- Montenegrins 267,669 (43.16%)
- SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
198,414 (31.99%) - BosniaksBosniaksThe Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia...
48,184 (7.77%) - AlbaniansAlbaniansAlbanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
31,163 (5.03%) - MuslimsMuslims by nationalityMuslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
24,625 (3.97%) - CroatsCroatsCroats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
6,811 (1.1%) - Roma 2,601 (0.42%)
- YugoslavsYugoslavsYugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
1,860 (0.3%) - Macedonians 819 (0.13%)
- Slovenes 415 (0.07%)
- Hungarians 362 (0.06%)
- RussiansRussiansThe Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
240 (0.04%) - Egyptians 225 (0.04%)
- Italians 127 (0.02%)
- GermansGermansThe Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
118 (0.02%) - Others (i.e. GreeksGreeksThe Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
, TurksTurkish peopleTurkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
, RomaniansRomaniansThe Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
, BulgariansBulgariansThe Bulgarians are a South Slavic nation and ethnic group native to Bulgaria and neighbouring regions. Emigration has resulted in immigrant communities in a number of other countries.-History and ethnogenesis:...
) 2,180 (0.35%) - No response 26,906 (4.34%)
- Regional affiliation 1,258 (0.2%)
- Unknown 6,168 (0.99%)
This census witnessed the forming of the Bosniak
Bosniaks
The Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia...
nation, but some people still thought of themselves Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality
Muslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, however. Also, there are very few people left who consider themselves Yugoslavs. But the biggest difference compared to the 1991 census is the dramatic increase in self-identification of many inhabitants as Serbs, which was not the case in Socialist Yugoslavia.
Linguistic structure
- Serbian - 393.740 (63,49%)
- Montenegrin: 136.208 (21,96%)
- Albanian - 32.603 (5,26%)
- Bosniak - 19.906 (3,21%)
- Bosnian - 14.172 (2,29%)
- Croatian - 2.791 (0,45%)
- Roma - 2.602 (0,42%)
- undeclared: 13.902 (2,24%)
Ethnic structure
- Montenegrins 278,865 (44.98%)
- SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
178,110 (28.73%) - BosniaksBosniaksThe Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia...
53,605 (8.65%) - AlbaniansAlbaniansAlbanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
30,439 (4.91%) - MuslimsMuslims by nationalityMuslims by nationality was a term used in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as an official designation of nationality of Slavic Muslims. They were one of the constitutive groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
20,537 (3.31%) - Roma 6,251 (1.01%)
- CroatsCroatsCroats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
6,021 (0.97%) - Others 46,201 (7.44%)
Linguistic structure
- Serbian: 265,895 (42.88%)
- Montenegrin: 229,251 (36.97%)
- Bosnian: 33,077 (5.33%)
- AlbanianAlbanian languageAlbanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
: 32,671 (5.27%) - Rhoma: 5,169 (0.83%)
- Bosniak: 3,662 (0.59%)
- CroatianCroatian languageCroatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
: 2,791 (0.45%) - Others: 47,513 (7.68%)
Religious structure
- Eastern OrthodoxEastern Orthodox ChurchThe Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
- 446,858 (72.07%) - MuslimsIslamIslam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
- 118,477 (19.11%) - Catholic - 21,299 (3.44%)
- Others 27,756 (5.38%)
Sources
- Montenegrin Census' from 1909 to 2003
- The Ethnic Structure of the Population in Montenegro
- "Petar I Petrovic' - DJELA" publisher CID Podgorica 1999 year, printed by "Vojna tamparija" - Beograd
- "Statistički Godišnjak 2006" - Statistical Office of Montenegro