"Only rich people in Croatia can finance events which are an integral part of life - a birth, a wedding or a funeral, while the poor are forced to save more and more from basic costs, such as food or medical care costs," Sever said.
The costs of a birth exceed 19,000 kuna, funeral costs amount to 42,000 kuna, while wedding costs amount to 51,300 kuna, union officials say.
"There is talk about the need for demographic revival and more children, but the income of most young people today is insufficient to start an independent life: it is difficult to buy and furnish an apartment, loan terms are unfavourable and loan repayment is even more difficult and uncertain," Sever said.
The average Croatian family of four, whose average salary in May amounted to 4,436 kuna and covered only 75 percent of monthly costs, usually takes loans to mark important life events.
The union basket of a family of four in July did not include school books, medical care, vacation costs or expenses for a personal vehicle. The basic living costs amounted to 5,900 kuna, a 2.29 percent drop in relation to the month before that was due to lower prices of seasonal fruit, vegetables and clothing.
However, this autumn is likely to see a new increase in living costs caused by higher prices of clothing and food, as well as of electricity, Sever said.
According to an international survey on living costs in world capitals, this year Zagreb has moved to the 48th position from last year's 59th position or the 75th position in 2003.