CROATIA'S DEMOGRAPHIC PICTURE VERY UNFAVOURABLE

ZAGREB, March 21 (Hina) - Croatia's demographic picture is not only cause for concern but is downright unfavourable, a member of the Croatian Academy of Science and Art told Wednesday's lecture on the state, tendencies and problems of the Croatian population. Until recently, the United Nations estimated that Croatia's population would decrease dramatically by 2050, but the latest forecasts are not as pessimistic, said Alica Wertheimer-Baletic. The UN now estimates the young population emigrating from Croatia will be replaced by immigrants from neighbouring countries, Albania in particular. Croatia needs the young population which is moving abroad as they bring knowledge and education, and consequently economic revival, said Wertheimer-Baletic, adding she was aware the reason for their emigration was the 25-percent unemployment rate. She said data from 1998 ranked Croatia among countries with an old population, like Sweden for instance. But Wertheimer-Baletic pointed to the gap between the two countries' gross domestic product and the fact that the rising poverty in Croatia could burden the budget. She said that judging by the population's age, Croatia was in general an old country. The least inhabited is the central region of Lika, whereas Zagreb, Krapina-Zagorje County and Varazdin, all in the north, were the most populated parts of the country. Today's lecture was held ahead of the impending census in April. (hina) ha