2025-04-20-世界银行-利用移民促进克罗地亚的繁荣（英）_121页_13mb

Summary of "Leveraging Immigration for Croatia's Prosperity"

Core Content

This report by the World Bank explores how Croatia can leverage immigration to address demographic and labor market challenges, aiming to enhance economic growth and social cohesion through strategic policy actions.

Main Points

1. Demographic Challenges and Labor Shortages

• Croatia is experiencing a significant population decline and aging, with a projected drop of 19.1% in population over the next three decades.
• The proportion of people aged 65 and older is expected to increase from 17.9% in 2012 to 30% by 2050.
• These trends are causing labor shortages, especially in construction, hospitality, healthcare, and research.
• By 2035, Croatia may need over 300,000 additional workers to meet labor demand, with a projected net increase of 36,000 jobs.

2. Immigration as a Solution

• Immigration has become a critical tool for Croatia to fill labor shortages.
• Foreign-born residents now make up 12.7% of the population, with a notable increase in labor immigration since 2016.
• Annual first-time work permits have risen from under 10,000 to nearly 80,000 in 2023.
• The refugee population has also increased, reaching 27,000 in 2023, mainly due to the Ukraine conflict.
• The influx of migrants has led to a positive net migration balance since 2022.

3. Profile of Immigrants in Croatia

• The majority of immigrants are male, with an average age of 37.3 years.
• A growing number of immigrants are coming from South and East Asia, particularly Nepal, India, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.
• Most immigrants are low-skilled, with only 20% having tertiary education.
• Over 80% of foreign workers are employed in construction, tourism, and hospitality, with 40% in construction, 27% in hospitality, and 14% in manufacturing.

4. Integration Challenges

• Migrants often face difficulties in integrating due to language barriers, cultural differences, and imperfect recognition of foreign qualifications.
• Many work in positions below their skill level, leading to underutilization of talent and reduced productivity.
• Integration support is fragmented, with limited access to services and digital divides.
• Public opinion on immigration has become more negative, with only 33% of citizens viewing it positively in 2023.

5. Immigration System in Croatia

• Croatia has made progress in developing a streamlined and digitized immigration system.
• The 2020 Aliens Act removed quotas and introduced exemptions for shortage occupations and seasonal work.
• Recent reforms in 2025 extend work permits to three years, simplify employer changes, and impose stricter requirements on employers.
• The country has developed bilateral labor and social security agreements with several OECD and Western Balkan countries.

6. Policy Recommendations

• Enhance Governance Framework: Develop a comprehensive migration strategy with clear priorities, action plans, and funding.
• Strengthen Recruitment Regulation: Improve oversight of recruitment agencies to prevent exploitation and ensure skill alignment.
• Align Selection with Economic Needs: Better match the selection of foreign workers with labor market demands.
• Invest in Integration Support: Expand language training, credential recognition, and access to social services.
• Leverage Technology and Data: Implement digital tools and monitoring systems to improve migration management and integration outcomes.

Key Information

• Demographic Trends: Croatia has lost 400,000 residents over the last decade, with significant emigration from rural and disadvantaged areas.
• Labor Market Needs: There is a high demand for skilled workers in construction, tourism, hospitality, and manufacturing.
• Integration Barriers: Language, credential recognition, and access to services are major obstacles.
• Public Perception: Negative attitudes toward immigration are rising, especially among older, less educated, and rural populations.
• Policy Gaps: The lack of a unified migration strategy, limited bilateral agreements, and data fragmentation hinder effective policy implementation.

Conclusion

To maximize the benefits of immigration, Croatia must address governance, recruitment, and integration challenges. By developing targeted policies and leveraging technology, the country can enhance its migration system and support sustainable economic growth.