Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.62.3.2
What is Behind the Decline in the Number of Vacation Homes in Croatia? An Analysis of Changes in the Structure of Housing Stock 2011–2021
Geran-Marko Miletić
orcid.org/0000-0001-6673-657X
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Krešimir Peračković
orcid.org/0000-0003-2915-7223
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Mateo Žanić
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Regional Center Vukovar, Croatia
Abstract
For the first time in the past fifty years, since second or vacation homes have been recorded as a
separate category in the Croatian Census of Population, Households, and Dwellings, there has
been a decline in their number. Between 2011 and 2021, their official number decreased by
7%. However, recent studies have not shown a significant decrease in the number of vacation
homes in the main receptive areas, and during the pandemic, their use was even intensified.
Additionally, census data also show that the total number of dwellings in Croatia increased by
6% over the same period. The discrepancy between these indicators led our analysis to explore
whether the recorded decrease in the number of vacation homes signals a real decline in interest
in second-home use or if it hides a certain transformation process of this type of dwelling.
To investigate this, we analysed the results of the 2011 and 2021 Censuses. Specifically, we
examined the relationship between changes in the number of vacation homes and changes in
the size and structure of the housing stock on one hand, and the achieved level of local development
on the other. The data were analysed at the NUTS level 2 regions. The results of
the regression analysis did not indicate a relationship between the decrease in the number of
vacation homes and general negative development processes. However, in all three observed
regions, a strong association was found between the decline in the number of vacation homes
and the increase in the number of unoccupied dwellings, with one of the regions showing an
association between the decrease in the number of vacation homes and the increase in the
number of dwellings used during agricultural activities.
Keywords
second-home use; vacation homes; unoccupied dwellings; housing stock transformation; local development; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
329458
URI
Publication date:
27.3.2025.
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