Croatia today announced a series of economic incentives aimed at persuading Croatians who have migrated to other EU countries to return home to stop the demographic hemorrhage and reverse the aging population seen in recent years.
The measures, which will take effect on January 1st, provide for up to 26,000 euros to Croats returning from other EU countries to Croatia to start a business. Similar measures under the “I chose Croatia” program will be given to those citizens who, for financial reasons, settled in other parts of the country than those where they grew up. The goal is to increase the population in rural, sparsely populated areas.
“Demographic revitalization is a vital issue for Croatia, whose population is aging,” said Prime Minister Andrei Plenkovic.
The government estimates that the program will encourage 4,000-4,500 people to return to the country.
According to official figures, more than 250,000 Croats have left the country since joining the EU in 2013. Most have sought better living conditions in Germany, Austria or Ireland. In the last census, in 2011, the population of Croatia was 4.2 million. Due to mass migration, the population has decreased by about 10% in the last decade, experts estimate.
The results of the recent census are expected to be announced in early 2022.
SOURCE: AMPE
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Source From: Capital
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