Croatology, Vol. 16 No. 1, 2025.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.59323/k.16.1.6
Contemporary Migration Patterns of the City of Zagreb: Emigrants, Foreign Workers and Potential Returnees
Monika Balija
orcid.org/0000-0001-7350-2798
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Croatian Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
In accordance with changes in contemporary migration patterns in the Republic of Croatia, the research aims to determine the volume, direction and characteristics of the immigrated/emigrated population of the City of Zagreb (from) abroad in the last inter-census period, and the intentions of the return of emigrants from the City of Zagreb after Croatia entered the EU. The research
results showed that from 2011 to 2021, 53,072 people moved abroad from the City of Zagreb, and 48,627 people immigrated. Western and Central European countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia stand out among the destination countries of those who emigrated from the City of Zagreb, while the majority of immigrants are from the countries of SE Europe, with an increased share of immigrants from India, Nepal and the Philippines (and Ukraine) in recent years. The share of men and women in the total emigrant and immigrated population of the City of Zagreb to/from Western European countries, is almost equal or slightly male-dominated. In contrast, men predominate among the immigrated/emmigrated population to/from SE European countries and Asian (and African)
countries. A significantly younger population immigrates to the City of Zagreb from Asian countries, than from Western European countries, and Croatian citizens participate in the total emigrant population of the City of Zagreb with a significantly larger share than in the total immigrated population. According to the survey results, 16.8% of the respondents were sure that they would not
return to their previous residence, while 37.8% of them pointed out that they were not sure about their return. Among the measures that would encourage respondents to return, changes related to economic conditions predominate, in accordance with the reasons for the emigration of respondents.
Keywords
City of Zagreb; emigration; external migration; foreign workers; intentions of return
Hrčak ID:
330132
URI
Publication date:
14.4.2025.
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