Montenegro is facing serious demographic challenges, and addressing them requires a coordinated, strategic, and long-term approach, participants concluded at the roundtable “Demographic Revitalization of Montenegro: Finding Solutions Through Dialogue,” organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography ahead of World Population Day.
The event brought together representatives of the executive branch, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, academia, and civil society, who discussed key demographic challenges, including declining birth rates, the emigration of young and working-age people, population ageing, and the depopulation of the northern region.
The Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities, Mišela Manojlović, stated that measures aimed at addressing depopulation are already included in all sectoral strategies and should therefore be systematized and, where necessary, supplemented in the future demographic strategy, while being tailored to the specific circumstances of individual municipalities.
Population statistics are of essential importance, as they form the basis for local strategic development plans adopted by municipalities for periods of up to seven years.
“The activities of the Union of Municipalities are focused on all areas of importance to municipalities that ultimately influence demographic trends. This includes adapting legislation to the needs of local communities, attracting funding from the EU and other sources for infrastructure development—particularly in municipalities affected by depopulation—proposing local policies, providing financial support to municipalities, and strengthening their capacities to deliver higher-quality services, all with the aim of creating an environment conducive to living in local communities,” Manojlović said. She also highlighted measures being implemented by certain municipalities in the northern region to prevent the outmigration of younger populations, including social housing programs, monthly allowances for unemployed pregnant women and new mothers, financial benefits and hygiene gift packages for newborn children, and similar forms of support.
Manojlović emphasized that providing young people with basic infrastructure, housing, and employment is not sufficient to encourage them to remain in underdeveloped areas. To halt depopulation, attention must also be given to the development of cultural amenities, accessible healthcare and social services, educational institutions—including higher education facilities—and other factors that make life in a particular area attractive and sustainable.
The Minister of social welfare, family care and demography, Damir Gutić, stated that demographic issues are no longer challenges of the future, but challenges that are already here and require an urgent response. “Behind every statistic are real families, children, and young people who are leaving. These figures compel us to act responsibly and effectively. The time has come for demographic policy to become a cornerstone of all public policies,” Minister Gutić said.
The Minister of ecology, sustainable development and northern development, Damjan Ćulafić, warned that the demographic crisis is felt most acutely in the northern part of the country. “If we want demographic renewal, we must create a Montenegro where young people want to stay, where families receive genuine support, and where life in smaller communities is valued just as much as life in the capital,” Ćulafić said.
Mr Mileva Brajušković-Popović, acting director general of the Directorate for Demography, emphasized that one of the Directorate’s key objectives is to monitor demographic trends and establish cooperation with all relevant stakeholders. “Our priority is the development of a National Demographic Strategy based on reliable data and an assessment of existing measures. Together, we are working on sustainable solutions for a better quality of life in Montenegro,” she said.
A representative of the ministry of finance, Miloš Mišković, emphasized that budgetary and fiscal policy must be aligned with demographic priorities.
“It is essential to create an environment in which citizens choose to remain in Montenegro. The Ministry of Finance is ready to support all initiatives that contribute to demographic revitalization,” Mišković said.
As announced, the conclusions of this dialogue will serve as the basis for the preparation of Montenegro’s Demographic Strategy for the period 2026–2036, which will include concrete measures and recommendations aimed at preserving and strengthening the country’s demographic stability.
