V diplomski nalogi sem primerjala socialno-ekonomske spremembe v občinah Braslovče in Polzela po letu 1991. Občini sta v letu 2008 praznovali deseto obletnico obstoja. Ležita v Spodnji Savinjski dolini ob reki Savinji. Naravnogeografsko ju zaznamuje razgiban relief in zmerno celinsko podnebje osrednje Slovenije. Demografsko sta občini precej podobni. Število prebivalcev se v obeh občinah povečuje, povečuje se tudi število dnevnih migrantov in število zaposlenih v uslužnostnih dejavnostih. Značilno je staranje prebivalstva. V času obstoja sta občini doživeli številne spremembe na področju gospodarstva, na katere so vplivali svetovni gospodarski trendi, kot sta procesa terciarizacije in deindustrialzacije. Pomen kmetijstva se v občinah zmanjšuje, z njim se ukvarja vedno manj delovno aktivnega prebivalstva. Največji vpliv na razvoj občine Polzela imata Tovarna nogavic in Garant, ki zaposlujeta največ lokalnega prebivalstva. Kljub velikemu vplivu proizvodnih dejavnosti, pa se v občinah povečuje pomen storitev. V občinah delujeta dve osnovni šoli s podružnicami. Poskrbljeno je tudi za zdravstveno in socialno varstvo. Braslovče in Polzela imata velik turistični potencial, vendar le-ta ostaja v veliki meri neizkoriščen. V obeh občinah se povečuje število podjetij, prihodek na podjetje in bruto investicije. S SWOT analizo sem ugotovila, da ima občina Polzela več možnosti za razvoj v prioritetno razvojno področje. In diploma thesis I compared the socio-economic changes in municipalities Braslovče and Polzela after the year 1991. In the year 2008, both municipalities celebrated the 10th anniversary of their existence. They are located in the Spodnja Savinjska valley along the river Savinja. In terms of physical geography, dynamic relief and semi-continental climate of center Slovenia are characteristic for these municipalities. Demographically, both municipalities are pretty much alike the number of inhabitants is increasing in both municipalities, and there is also a growth of daily migrants and the number of employed in service activities. The aging of inhabitants is present. In the period of their existence, both municipalities have undergone numerous changes in terms of economy world economy trends such as tertiarization and deindustrialization have influenced these changes. The significance of agriculture, especially the hop growing, is decreasing in both municipalities. The number of persons in employment, who are dealing with agriculture, is constantly decreasing. The largest influence on development of the municipality Polzela still have companies Tovarna nogavic and Garant which employ the most local inhabitants. Despite the big influence of production activities, the significance of service activities is growing. Two elementary schools with their branches operate in municipalities. Health and social security are also taken care of. Municipalities have a great touristic potential, which unfortunately still remains unexploited to a great extent. The number of companies, the income on a company and gross investments are increasing in both municipalities. By SWOT analysis I found out that municipality Polzela has more possibilities for development into priority development sphere.