Croatian Member of the European Parliament Tomislav Sokol urged European policymakers to adopt a comprehensive approach to Europe’s demographic challenges, emphasizing cultural change, support for families, and engagement with the European diaspora as key strategies.
Speaking at a special session in Brussels attended by Croatia’s Minister of Demography and Migration Ivan Šipić and European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, Sokol highlighted Croatia’s unique approach to demographic policy. Croatia is currently the only EU member state to elevate demographic policy to a full government ministry, demonstrating a serious commitment to tackling long-term population decline.
Sokol stressed the importance of the Croatian diaspora as a potential source for revitalizing Europe’s population, citing estimates that nearly half a billion Europeans and their descendants live abroad. He called for stronger pro-natalist measures at the EU level, better support for families, reforms to the economic model, and measures to strengthen marriage as an institution. “Working to bring the European diaspora back to the continent should be a fundamental mission if we want a European spring after the demographic winter,” he said.
He attributed Europe’s demographic decline to economic and cultural factors. Historically, families had more children out of necessity, but industrialization, the introduction of state pensions, and urban migration have reshaped family structures. Sokol warned that consumerism and the weakening of marriage as a social institution have further eroded cultural norms, discouraging childbearing.
“Today, we risk relying on quick fixes such as mass immigration, but research shows that even immigrants adopt lower fertility rates within two generations,” he said. He also highlighted economic trends, including a shift from ownership to renting, which he said creates unstable environments for families and children. Sokol criticized political short-termism, saying policymakers often postpone addressing deep structural challenges with ineffective instant solutions.
Croatia’s Minister Šipić presented the government’s demographic program, underscoring that addressing population decline is a national priority. European officials in attendance emphasized the importance of coordinated action to reverse trends and support sustainable population growth.
Sokol’s remarks come amid broader EU discussions on demographic challenges, migration policy, and family support measures across member states.