In Some Places, Deaths Double Births
Koprivnica-Križevci County Loses 791 Residents in a Year, Internal Migration Becomes a Bigger Problem Than Emigration Abroad
Koprivnica-Križevci County Loses 791 Residents in a Year, Internal Migration Becomes a Bigger Problem Than Emigration Abroad
Demographic trends in Podravina and Prigorje remain concerning. According to the latest data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS), Koprivnica-Križevci County lost 791 residents over the past year. This was driven by both key demographic indicators: a negative natural increase of 592 people and a total migration deficit of 199 residents.
Although mass emigration abroad has slowed significantly in recent years, internal migration within Croatia is becoming more pronounced. DZS data reveals that the county's external migration balance is even slightly positive. A total of 784 people moved in from abroad, while 755 left, resulting in a small surplus of 29 residents.
However, the picture is much less favorable when it comes to internal migration. A total of 533 people moved in from other counties, while 761 moved to other parts of Croatia. This results in a negative inter-county balance of 228 residents. The main driver is the move toward Zagreb and its surroundings, where salaries and employment opportunities are significantly better. With a total migration deficit of 199 people, Koprivnica-Križevci County ranks third in Croatia on this indicator, just behind Sisak-Moslavina County, which lost 558 residents, and Brod-Posavina County, with a deficit of 205. In contrast, neighboring Varaždin and Međimurje counties recorded slight migration surpluses of 79 and 68 residents, respectively, offsetting internal outflows with positive international migration.
Natural increase brings no good news either. Last year, 860 children were born in the county, while 1,452 people died. The vital index, which shows the number of live births per 100 deaths, stands at just 59.2. This means that for every ten deaths, there are just under six births, which is below the national average. For Croatia as a whole, the vital index is 64.9, with 32,479 births and 50,007 deaths, resulting in a natural decline of 17,528 residents.
The situation is particularly alarming in certain municipalities. In Novo Virje, only five children were born last year, while 16 people died. Ferdinandovac, Legrad, and Podravske Sesvete also recorded twice as many deaths as births. In Mali Bukovec and Martijanec, the situation is even worse: for every birth, there are three deaths. The closest to balance are Hlebine, with 16 births and 17 deaths, and Drnje, with 20 births and 24 deaths. Cities like Koprivnica (207 births) and Križevci (158 births) record higher numbers of newborns, while Đurđevac, Ludbreg, and Pitomača saw between 65 and 69 births each, but even that is not enough for a positive natural increase.
DZS data also provides interesting insights into marital relationships. In Podravina and Prigorje, 460 marriages were contracted last year, and 168 were dissolved, the highest number in the last five years. Statistically speaking, there is nearly a 37 percent chance that a marriage will not succeed. However, there are bright exceptions. The municipalities of Gornja Rijeka and Kalinovac recorded no divorces in the past year.
On the other hand, marital vows were taken least seriously in Rasinja. There, for every five marriages, there were as many as seven divorces, the most unfavorable ratio in the region.
