"Montenegro records historic birth rate minimum": Low birth rate and emigration threaten country's demographic future

Montenegro recorded a historic low in the number of children born last year, and the reason for this is not only economic circumstances, but also the long-standing absence of a serious demographic policy, said Mileva Brajušković-Popović, Director General of the Directorate for Demography at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography.

As she told Boje jutra TV Vijesti, the fertility rate in Montenegro has not ensured simple population reproduction for three decades, while decisions about parenthood are further complicated by insecure jobs, unresolved housing issues, and high living costs.

Speaking about the measures that individual municipalities and the state are implementing through one-time financial benefits for newborn children, Brajušković-Popović assessed that such solutions cannot significantly affect the increase in the birth rate.

"Demographic literature shows that such incentives do not work. In a way, it is a bit insulting to reduce the decision to become a parent to someone getting a thousand or two thousand euros to have a child. Parenthood is a lifelong project and requires much more than a one-time help," she said.

She emphasized that young people need secure jobs, a resolved housing issue, accessible kindergartens, schools, health and social protection, to make it easier for them to decide to start a family.

Brajušković-Popović announced that Montenegro is for the first time developing a National Demographic Development Strategy for the period from 2027 to 2037, which will include research among citizens and local communities to determine which measures can yield long-term results.

She also warned about the problem of young people emigrating and emptying the north of the country, stating that nine Montenegrin municipalities already belong to the category of the deepest demographic age.

"Northern Montenegro is disappearing before our eyes. It is experiencing both negative natural growth and negative migration balance, while the population is increasingly moving towards Podgorica and the coast," said Brajušković-Popović.

According to her, without comprehensive and long-term measures, Montenegro will face an even greater labor shortage, an aging population, and additional pressure on the pension and healthcare systems.

"Demography is not an issue for one ministry, but for the entire state. Coordinated action by all institutions is needed to slow down negative trends and create conditions for the survival and development of the population," concluded Brajušković-Popović.