Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has once again highlighted the country’s demographic challenges, warning that the number of Croats living in Croatia continues to decline year after year and urging young members of the diaspora to consider returning home.
Speaking during a reception for participants in the Homeland Summer School program, Plenković described demographic renewal as one of the most important long-term issues facing the country. He encouraged young Croats living abroad to strengthen their ties with their ancestral homeland and contribute to its future development.
According to the prime minister, Croatia invests around €820 million annually in demographic measures designed to support families, encourage higher birth rates, and create conditions that could help reverse negative population trends. He stressed that demographic decline remains a strategic challenge that has affected the country for decades.
The issue has become increasingly prominent in public policy discussions as Croatia, like several other European countries, faces a combination of low birth rates, population aging, and emigration. Various studies have pointed to long-term population losses driven by demographic trends and outward migration, particularly following Croatia’s accession to the European Union.
Government officials argue that attracting members of the Croatian diaspora back to the country could play an important role in addressing labor shortages, strengthening economic growth, and helping stabilize population trends. The message delivered to young Croats abroad was clear: maintaining connections with Croatia is valuable, but returning and building a future in the country would represent an even greater contribution.
The remarks come as demographic policy continues to rank among the Croatian government’s top priorities, alongside economic development and labor market reforms. While recent measures have sought to support families and encourage population growth, authorities acknowledge that reversing decades of demographic decline will require sustained efforts and long-term commitment.
