The thesis examines the historical, economic, and demographic development of the Prekmurje region, exploring opportunities for its contemporary economic growth and demographic revitalisation. The historical overview, spanning from early settlement and Hungarian administration to the incorporation into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and the Yugoslav era, reveals a persistent peripheral position, an agrarian economic structure, and a lack of major industrial centres. During the socialist period, low value-added industries dominated, while the transition to a market economy led to the collapse of numerous companies, high unemployment, and significant youth outmigration. The research combines literature review, statistical data analysis, and semi-structured interviews with regional stakeholders. It analyses best practice examples from other Slovenian towns, such as Kočevje and Hrastnik, and evaluates their applicability to Prekmurje’s circumstances. The findings indicate that the region has potential in developing higher value-added industries, tourism, creative sectors, and cross-border cooperation. However, success requires a coordinated strategy that takes into account the region’s historical particularities, economic structure, and demographic challenges.
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