Croatia has lost almost 10% of its population over a 10-year period, according to the latest census data released today in the country, which is being described as a “disaster” by experts.
The country, a member of the European Union, has a population of 3.8 million compared to 4.2 million a decade ago, a 9.25% drop, according to the Croatian Statistical Office.
“This is an incredible disaster for Croatia,” demographer Stepan Sterc told N1.
The areas in central and eastern Croatia are hardest hit by the declining population.
For a long time, the country has been “bleeding” from its inhabitants due to a sluggish economy, corruption and lack of prospects for its young people. Emigration has also benefited from Croatia’s accession to the EU in 2013. More than 250,000 Croats have since left to live in other Member States, particularly Germany, Austria and Ireland, according to official figures.
According to UN forecasts, Croatia will not have more than 2.5 million inhabitants by the end of the century.
In December, the Croatian government announced premiums of up to 26,000 euros to encourage those who have left and resided in other EU countries to return to the country.
Source: AMPE
.
Source From: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
