TENDENCIES OF CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF RURAL POPULATION.

The paper presents a new approach to the economic activity of rural population in Poland in the past ten years. The aim of the paper is to present the analysis of tendencies of changes in the structure of the economic activity of rural population in Poland. The paper focuses on the main task -- to consider the changes in the structure of rural population's economic activity in respect to the changes in the numbers and the share of a particular category of individuals in the general rural population in a dynamic perspective, differentiating between the population involved and non-involved in farm activity. The main source of the research data was the results of Agricultural Index which was applied in Poland in 2011. The research also used the materials from the Main Statistical Office and authors' previous studies. The main conclusions suggest that during the 10-year period since Poland's accession to the European Union some noticeable changes occurred in the economic activity of rural population. Demographic, educational, and social factors have played an important role. Extended education period has resulted in later entry of the youngest working age population into the labour market, which has both positive and negative consequences. It is necessary to bear in mind that activity is not a constant value assigned to a given professional or social group. Furthermore, the measurement of economic activity cannot be identical for each work station, function fulfilled or social role adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]