On Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the Hotel Podravina we visited a lecture on "Demographic Alarm and Exodus of Young Families from Croatia - How to Stop a Negative Trend?".
Given that there will be no sustainable development, if there are no people, we were interested in what about this problem has to say demographer Stjepan Šterc who often speaks about the issue in the media.
Lecturer Stjepan Šterc warned of an alarming demographic picture in Croatia and the necessity of making strategic and legal decisions that would provide greater support to young families and families with more children, as well as the need to devote more resources to the demographic revitalization of society.
He believes that demographic issues are the foundation of overall development, especially the economy, and situation is alarming because 240 people on average emmigrates every day from country while the natural growth of the population is negative and unemployment and general dissatisfaction are growing and he believes that solving these questions are key to our future.
Conclusion at the end of the lecture:
Abortion is not the reason for falling birth rates and can not be banned due to a number of circumstances, but it can be ensured that no woman is considering abortion. Paid full maternity leave for parents is necessary. We should introduce fees for parents up to fifteen years of childrens' age. Introduction of the tax selective system or the communal system to match with income of families is in order.