Zbornik Matice srpske za drustvene nauke 2014 Issue 148, Pages: 715-725
https://doi.org/10.2298/ZMSDN1448715K
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Active ageing as lifestyle on Croatian islands
Klempić-Bogadi Sanja (Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Republic of Croatia)
Podgorelec Sonja (Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Republic of Croatia)
The main feature of Croatian islands, in addition to their beautiful nature,
is the fact that they are demographically and sociologically one of the most
threatened areas affected by ageing. The ageing of the island population is
the result of a long-term depopulation caused by the continuous emigration
of the younger working-active population over the past hundred years, but
also by the retirement return migration in the last thirty years. The most
critical situation is on small islands where the majority of population is
aged over 60 and this has a significant impact on all aspects of island life.
The research conducted on small islands in the Šibenik archipelago in 2011
has shown that older people live alone, with no significant health problems
limiting their daily activities, in their own households (homes), on modest
pensions, and many of them supplement their income through agriculture. They
very often financially help their children, who live mostly in nearby
mainland cities. The necessity of self-reliance, due to the lack of younger
generations, forces the inhabitants of Croatian island to lead an active life
until their old age. Although they are no longer actively employed, they
still continue to contribute significantly to the family and society through
their involvement in various community activities.
Keywords: Croatia, islands, active ageing, migration, retirement