THEY EXPELLED THE SERBS, AND NOW THEY ARE DISAPPEARING THEMSELVES: Fewer children than ever born in Croatia, over 70,000 foreigners have moved in!

Last year in Croatia, fewer children were born than ever before in recent history, the number of deaths was almost double the number of births, and at the same time, a new record was set for immigration to that country.

This is a quick overview of the situation, given the numbers recently published by the Republican Bureau of Statistics, which indicate that the demographic picture in Croatia is deteriorating, while the record number of immigrants is related to foreign workers who are coming in increasing numbers to work in that country, writes the portal 24sata.hr.

As for births, there were a total of 32,204 in 2024. If we look back a few years, it is clear that the number of births is decreasing. For example, in 2021, there were 36,641. Given the total population, this difference is quite large. And as already mentioned, last year there was also a record number of immigrants to Croatia – last year 70,391 people moved from abroad, while 38,997 moved out of Croatia.

According to the RZS, in 2024, 18.9 percent of Croatian citizens and 81.1 percent of foreigners moved from abroad, while at the same time 51.7 percent of Croatian citizens and 48.3 percent of foreigners moved out. The most people came to Croatia from Nepal – 14.2 percent of the total number of immigrants – and from Bosnia and Herzegovina (11.3 percent). As for those who left Croatia, most of them moved to Germany (21.1 percent).

Empty Lika

The vast area of Lika has always been sparsely populated, former places with a hundred inhabitants have completely disappeared, and in some, there are one or two residents, mostly elderly. Many houses are abandoned, trees are growing out of them and it does not look like anyone will ever return.

The ecological area that was once a synonym for ideal living conditions is now even more sparsely populated. The signs “Zadar” and “Udbina” show that the cities are not far, but you can drive for hours without seeing a single person.

“We came back because this is our home, the anniversary of Oluja is coming up, and we have nothing to say, not everyone participated in the war, and it seems to us that they treat us as if we did,” a man who works as a day laborer in a field tells us, adding that there was never any major work, except for agriculture and livestock farming, but that there used to be factories, so it was easier.

In the capital of Lika, Gospić, more babies were recently born, which was a reason for celebration. The prefect claims that when they grow up, they will have a job.

“We provide scholarships for high school students and university students, we are working on investment in the economy, we have a drop in unemployment, and that is the result, and whoever wants to stay can secure a job, we have fallen below one thousand unemployed people. Emigration has been going on for decades and it is a long-term process for people to return,” said Ernest Petri, the prefect of the Lika-Senj County.

Meanwhile, the older population that did not have jobs in state services lives on a pension of two hundred euros, if they have one at all.

“We were actually farmers in the former state, we lost part of our service record in the war, and now when you add it all up, we have reached a pension of 170 euros. Whoever can cultivate a small garden, works, but when you are 80 years old, you can no longer work physically, and that is your end,” said a grandmother who plants tomatoes and some lettuce in the center of Gračac.

Empty Slavonia

Slavonia in eastern Croatia is often called “empty Slavonia”. The term reflects the deep challenges facing the once vibrant agricultural heartland. The phenomenon is fueled by a combination of factors, including high unemployment, lack of investment, and the allure of better opportunities in Western Europe.

Young people, in particular, are leaving in large numbers, seeking higher wages and a more secure future. Villages and towns that were once teeming with life are now dotted with abandoned houses and overgrown properties. Schools are shrinking, most have closed in the villages, and local services are struggling to survive.

The demographic drain is not just an economic problem – it is a social and cultural problem that threatens the very fabric of communities and the region’s rich traditions. Despite these difficulties, a sense of resilience persists. There are still people fighting to revitalize their communities, preserve their heritage, and find new ways of life. However, the road to recovery is long and challenging, and the future of Slavonia remains uncertain.

Even worse in Požega and the surrounding area

Požega-Slavonia County is one of those from which a larger percentage of people have moved out than the Croatian average. For example, in just two years, about 3,000 people or 3.73 percent of the total population left the county, and in just one year, as many as 1,600 people would cancel their registration. The pictures taken in some villages illustrate that this is true.

“If I could and had somewhere to go, I would also leave, maybe not so far, at least to Požega or Slavonski Brod, because staying here in the village makes less and less sense. It’s desolate around us, wherever you look, abandoned houses and overgrown properties. Look, across from me, two sisters sold their house and left here. Apparently, some German bought it, but as far as I hear, he is also selling that property, but unfortunately, there is no one to buy it. We, the older ones, are left in the village trying to do something, but we don’t have anyone to help. If we have a bigger job and need to pay someone – there is no one. I also have to say that no one wants to work, everyone is on social assistance and just scraping by,” said Jasna from Oljas, a small village not far from Požega.

The demographic picture of Slavonia faces extremely difficult and complex challenges that are reflected in the long-term decline in population, negative natural increase, and emigration. These trends are present in all Slavonian counties and have far-reaching consequences for the economic and social life of the region.

Continuous population decline

One of the most pronounced problems is the continuous decline in population. Although depopulation is present throughout Croatia, the Slavonian counties record the most intense decline. After Croatia’s entry into the EU in 2013, the intensity of emigration significantly increased, and young and able-bodied people are leaving the region the most in search of better economic opportunities.

As a direct consequence of depopulation and low birth rates, the population structure of Slavonia is shifting towards an older age group. This leads to a reduction in the workforce, increased pressure on the pension and health care system, and a general reduction in economic potential. In some villages, the situation is particularly critical, where mostly the elderly population remains, and young families are a rarity.

“Only we, the old ones, are left, and when we are gone, there will be no one left in the village. We are old and sick, and abandoned. I have nothing against young people going to Germany, I’m sure they will be better off there, they will earn a pension, and what would they have here, to live on social assistance as most of us do – that’s not life. There are more residents in the cemetery in Brtuljevac than here in the village, and no one returns from there just as those who leave the village do not return. My neighbor came by the other day and I asked him if he would come back, he told me he wouldn’t, asking me – where would he come back to,” said Stjepan Prišpilović (80) from Lučinci near Požega, who was found on a chair in front of his house while he was waiting for the mobile store to arrive.

“It looks like it won’t come, it didn’t come yesterday either,” Stjepan commented to himself.

A combination of unfortunate circumstances as the cause of depopulation

Slavonia’s demographic problems are a consequence of a combination of various factors, such as economic stagnation, deindustrialization, unsuccessful privatization, and poor economic development that have created high unemployment and low wages. This is, in fact, the main push factor for emigration.

War destruction and the bad demographic consequences of the war have further deepened the negative trends, and the areas affected by the war are particularly sensitive.

Modernization, changes in social values, as well as a greater focus on education and career, have led to later marriages and postponed parenthood, which also contributes to a low birth rate.

The consequences of these trends are multiple – the disappearance of the workforce, the closing of schools, the decline of agricultural holdings, the reduction of economic activity, and a general decline in the social optimism and vitality of the region.