Demographic issues in strategic policy documents of the Republic of Croatia

Sa？etak According to relevant research, for decades the population of the Republic of Croatia has been characterized by extremely unfavourable demographic processes, natural depopulation, reduced fertility, population aging and emigration, which affect a wide range of social, economic, political, social and security problems. This analysis is based on the hypothesis that response to such processes and changes in negative demographic trends require long-term and coherent multisectoral policies in definition and implementation. Consequently, a research question examines the coherence of the strategic political approach to the demographic problem of the Republic of Croatia since independence in 1991. The analysis of strategic documents, inaugural statements of the Croatian presidents, the government programs and the national security strategies indicates a more unfavourable demographic situation than a quarter of a century ago, whereby the political processes that need to ensure the response to negative developments are still in an early stage. A positive aspect can be seen through the growing political and security focus of recent key political actors on demographic issues, which is also a prerequisite for ensuring durable and coherence in defining, harmonizing and implementing measures aimed at changing demographic trends