Modern changes in the educational structure of the population and regional economic development
The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of population education and the high correlative influence of the educational structure of the population of Serbia on economic development, as well as on certain socio-economic processes. Appropriate scientific methods were applied in the paper, namely: methods of analysis and synthesis, comparative method, statistical method and method of document content analysis. The result achieved by quality education of the population and the implementation of acquired knowledge in the economy has extremely significant implications for productivity growth, wage growth and overall economic development of the country. Sublimation of numerous works of other researchers, as well as the results of this research, leads to the conclusion that education of the population has an extremely positive impact on long-term economic growth and development. Therefore, Serbia needs education reform that would include the introduction of modern curricula, improvement of working conditions and harmonization with real economic needs, as a strong stimulus for young people to acquire appropriate knowledge and skills and thus motivate and retain the highest quality staff and enable zealous regional development. Economic development based on the education of the population, as well as the creation of conditions for the acquired knowledge to be practically applied in the realization of economic and business tasks, is set as an educational and developmental imperative.