Barać: Croatia’s Demographic Revival Is Impossible Without Its Diaspora

Croatia’s demographic revival cannot be achieved without tapping into the enormous potential of the Croatian diaspora, Mladen Barać, State Secretary at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, told Glas Hrvatske at the 9th Gathering of the Croatian Diaspora in South America, held in Córdoba, Argentina. He announced new programmes for returnees and immigrants, while highlighting record interest among descendants of Croatian emigrants in learning the Croatian language and strengthening their ties with the homeland.

Barać noted that the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, the youngest ministry in the Croatian Government, is attending this important gathering of Croatian communities in South America for the second consecutive year.

The aim is to present existing and new measures for returnees and immigrants, as well as programmes designed to strengthen ties between the Croatian diaspora and the homeland.

Record Interest in Croatian Language and Culture

According to Barać, interest in Croatia among Croatians in South America has been growing in recent years, a trend reflected in participation figures for Croatian language and culture programmes.

A record 700 scholarships have been awarded for the Croaticum programme in the current academic year. Of the 386 participants, the largest share comes from South American countries.

“What people of Croatian descent are generally interested in is finding ways to strengthen their ties with the Republic of Croatia,” Barać said.

He stressed that permanent return and relocation to Croatia should not be the only measures of success. It is equally important to give descendants of Croatian emigrants opportunities to visit Croatia, experience life in their ancestral homeland, learn the language and establish business and other connections.

New Legislation and Support Measures for Returnees

The Ministry is working on a new Demographic Renewal Act, with one of its key components focusing on involving the Croatian diaspora in the country's demographic development.

Barać believes there is broad consensus in Croatian society on the importance of strengthening ties with the diaspora, particularly in light of the country's long-term demographic challenges.

“Demographic stabilisation, followed by the demographic renewal of our nation, is simply unimaginable without harnessing the enormous potential of our diaspora,” he said.

Strengthening Ties Between Croatians at Home and Abroad

Alongside existing measures, the Ministry plans to develop additional programmes to make it easier for Croatian emigrants to maintain and strengthen their ties with the homeland, regardless of whether they choose to return permanently.

Particular emphasis will be placed on younger generations of Croatian descent, their education, knowledge of the Croatian language and opportunities for professional development in Croatia.

Barać concluded that the goal is to continue strengthening the bonds between Croatians at home and abroad and to make the most of the growing interest among Croatian communities in South America in becoming more involved in the life of their ancestral homeland.