For the purpose of the analysis of demographics (dis) continuities revealed by the 2011 Census in Portugal, the whole country was subdivided into different regions according to demographic trends showed in recent decades: firstly, the regions with more specific population characteristics (Metropolitan Areas of Lisbon and Oporto and the Azores and Madeira Islands), secondly, the remaining territory separated between a North and Central Coastal versus a Northern and Central Interior, and in addition a South that encompasses the entire south of the Tagus area not covered by Lisbon Metropolitan Region.
This study took up the latter region. In the vast South, we evaluated the change or continuation of past trends, particularly with regard to population, depopulation, dynamism and activity of endogenous migration flows, ability attractiveness of urban population in contrast to rural. We observed also the differences in variations in the number and size of households, housing and buildings recorded between 2001 and 2011.
Finally, assuming that the growth or population decline resulting from the combined effect of birth patterns and mortality offset by (un) balance between immigration and emigration, we have identified areas with territorial behaviours similar to each other in terms of natural growth and migration.

keywords: population dynamics, demographic decline, depopulation, Portugal, South, Alentejo, Algarve