Croatia is coping well with one of the biggest challenges of our time - the demographic crisis, said Croatian Minister of Demography and Immigration Ivan Šipić in an interview for the central broadcast of the national television HRT, BTA reported.
He stressed that for the first time in years, a trend of increased return of emigrants and their descendants has been observed, with statistics showing that more people are returning to Croatia than leaving it.
„The ministry and the government have taken up the hottest topic since the Homeland War (the war of independence 1991 - 1995, ed.) - demography. Immigration, or the history of returning emigrants, is inextricably linked to it“, said Šipić. According to him, cooperation between local, regional and national institutions is of key importance in order to change long-standing negative trends.
The minister acknowledged that administrative and procedural obstacles still deter some of those wishing to return, but assured that the government is working to eliminate them.
Šipić emphasized that the main incentive for return is security in the country.
“Today, Croatia is stable and safe. Economic conditions are improving, and life in Germany, Ireland or Australia is no longer as attractive as it was a decade ago. Security is now our greatest advantage“, he told HRT.
The minister also presented a new program to stimulate settlement in depopulated regions – Dalmatian Zagora, Lika and Slavonia – with a total budget of 30 million euros. Through the Croatian Agency for Small Business, Innovation and Investment “HAMAG-BICRO“ loans of up to 150 thousand euros will be granted, with up to 75 thousand being forgivable.
“This is real support for people who want to stay, move or return to their homeland“, he pointed out.
According to him, life in small communities is not necessarily more difficult than in big cities.
“Our goal is to create conditions for a decent life everywhere – through jobs, housing support and infrastructure“, emphasized Šipić.
Šipić concluded that success in demographic policy depends on the synergy between the state and citizens: “It is not just about measures to encourage birth rates, but about creating an atmosphere for family and dignified life. Where there are families and children – there is also a future.“