Montenegro has not made significant progress in the field of demography, and it is crucial to begin addressing it in a serious, strategic, and organized manner, stated Damir Gutić, the Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care, and Demography.

He made these remarks at the conference titled “Demographic Crisis: Is Montenegro Planning or Improvising?” organized by the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT) and the Society of Statisticians and Demographers (DSD).

Gutić emphasized that demographic challenges are not unique to Montenegro but are also a global concern, with even more developed countries facing significant difficulties in managing their demographic structures.

“There are several approaches we can take. None has proven to be flawless, but perhaps a combination of these strategies could be implemented in Montenegro,” Gutić remarked.

He noted that as a young state, Montenegro has not yet fully developed its administration in various sectors since regaining independence, which hinders its ability to tackle these challenges.

“In the domain of demography, we have seen minimal progress in the past, and now is the time to start approaching it in a serious, strategic, and organized manner,” Gutić reiterated.

He recalled the absence of a demographics department previously and mentioned that with the establishment of the Deputy Prime Minister position and the Demographics Council in 2023, progress has begun.

Gutić highlighted the first positive development in demography arose with the Government’s restructuring, which led to the formation of the Ministry dedicated to this area.

“In a formal sense, the Government has acknowledged an overlooked domain that requires attention,” Gutić stated.

Consequently, the Ministry has set up a Directorate for Demography, tasked with analyzing the situation, regulations, and comparative practices within the region and the European Union (EU).

Gutić stressed that demographic issues cannot be solely addressed by one department; they require input from the entire Government, including the Ministry of Finance, the Statistical Office, and the departments of education, health, and security.

“We must ensure that individuals everywhere have access to their rights and a decent quality of life to retain residents and boost the birth rate,” Gutić affirmed.

He pointed out that demography encompasses much more than merely focusing on birth rates.

“Stability within families must be supported by financial incentives. We need to explore effective practices and implement the best solutions,” Gutić advised.

He also mentioned that the data from the 2023 census serves as an additional wake-up call.

“We have had a sobering experience, and it’s evident that there is no time left for complacency,” concluded Gutić.

Koprivica: We are unable to retain our population

Dragan Koprivica, Director of CDT, revealed that between the 2011 and 2023 censuses, Montenegro lost a population comparable to that of Nikšić, Berane, and Gusinje combined.

During this period, there were 22 births daily while 20 individuals died, and on average, 22 residents emigrated each day even as 21 foreigners settled in Montenegro.

“It is abundantly clear that we are incapable of retaining our continuously departing population, jeopardizing the long-term stability of the overall demographic makeup,” Koprivica stated.

He elaborated that Montenegro is grappling with a dual demographic crisis characterized by low birth rates and a significant exodus of young people, inducing profound demographic aging in the country.

“All of this is unfolding in a nation that has failed to establish a well-prepared population policy for the last 20 years. Whether the political elites lacked the knowledge or the will is irrelevant—the outcome remains the same,” Koprivica added.

He indicated that the establishment of a dedicated demography department has sparked hope for positive developments in this area.

“When the Demographic Council was formed in March 2024, intended to play a pivotal role in formulating long-term population policies, we were again hopeful that meaningful progress was underway. Unfortunately, reality once more proved us wrong,” remarked Koprivica.

Radojević: Investigate the motives for foreigners leaving Montenegro

Gordana Radojević, Executive Director of DSD, identified one of the primary issues as the stagnation and decline of the population.

“The key issue leading to stagnation is that our residents are departing,” Radojević highlighted, adding that while there is an influx of foreigners, it is insufficient to achieve population growth.

She noted that Montenegro remains an emigration zone.

Radojević also pointed out that foreigners are leaving Montenegro, with four percent having exited within a year.

She emphasized the necessity to investigate the reasons behind this outflow, noting that economic factors are not the sole determinants.

According to Radojević, Montenegro lost 30,000 residents under the age of 30 between the two censuses.

She underscored that uneven population distribution poses another challenge, with the northern regions experiencing demographic depletion.

“Only six percent of the foreign population resides in the north, while 66 percent are located in the southern parts of the country, which creates potential for price shocks that we are not adequately addressing,” Radojević said.

She argued that demographic policy responsibility cannot rest with just one minister or one government; a multisectoral approach is essential.

Radojević pointed out that any inquiries into why young people leave will reveal that they cite the rule of law as the primary reason, followed by education, and lastly the economy.

To ensure meaningful discussions about population movements, Radojević asserted that it is essential to create the right conditions first.

“Following that, our focus must turn to social policy and education, and we must support parents not just financially, but through various policies and measures that empower individuals to make informed choices about family planning,” Radojević stated.

She mentioned that the Demographic Council currently mirrors the Government’s structure, comprising 28 members, mostly ministers or deputy prime ministers.

“This reflects its short-term focus, even as demographic trends themselves are inherently long-term,” Radojević stressed.

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