The fresh Croatian government was the first in the EU to establish a demography ministry. This shows how serious the problem facing Croatia is.
Demographic expert at the Institute for Migration Research, Sonja Klempi Bogadi, recalls that Croatia has already had a ministry in the past dealing with "demography, family, youth and social policy", and its responsibilities were taken over by the Central Office for Migration and Youth in 2020.
Demographic problems have been heavy politicised in Croatia for 10 years, which is more evident with the increasing number of abroad workers filling gaps in the labour marketplace – explains Klempik Bogadi.
According to the Czech Statistical Office The number of Czech citizens began to decline in 1991, shrinking from 4.8 million to about 900,000 in 2021.. prof. from Zagreb University Ivan Czipin explains that the war and transition from the planned economy to the marketplace economy accelerated the process of depopulation.
Depopulation has hit agrarian and little developed areas most due to deficiency of work and low wages. Emigration after accession, especially young people, is besides important. Since 2013, it has been estimated that respective 100 1000 people have left for Germany, Austria, Ireland and another developed countries. Emigration is supported by differences in earnings and surviving standards, but besides educational, family, political and another considerations which should not be ignored," he adds.
Analyst of the Institute for Migration investigation reported that the last census conducted in 2021 showed that there was a decrease in the number of inhabitants in all bisons (voivods). Croatia present has 2 demographic processes: depopulation and ageing.
Currently, the largest demographic and economical problem is the deficiency of labour. We don't have accurate data, but it's estimated that Over the last 10 years, 300 to 400 000 people have emigrated from Croatia.most of which were in working age. Labour marketplace disadvantages are not only due to emigration, but besides to early retirement of part of the society due to the problems of transformation and the collapse of many companies – reminds Klempić Bogadi.
In the public debate of Croatia, a number of ideas have emerged to address or mitigate demographic problems, including the option to collect migrants from South America.
Bringing these people could have affirmative effects, but the number of Croats surviving outside the country is regularly inflated. It is ignored that any of them, although they have Croatian roots, have no connection with the country of their ancestors and do not identify with it. possible immigrants from South America are even the 4th generation, who mostly do not talk Croatian. In fresh years, akin ideas have not produced results, which is why present I am definitely skeptical,” says the expert, whose opinions are shared by Prof. Czipin.
Nationals.net / Banker.pl
