Povratne umirovljeničke migracije na hrvatskim otocima
Return Retirement Migration on Croatian Islands

Summary/Abstract: Emigration and depopulation on most Croatian islands is a continuous process lasting for decades which has determined their demographical and socio economic development. For many immigrants returning home is a possibility they think about during their entire lifetime. Although return flows may somewhat mitigate the negative long-term demographic trends, return retirement migration is the prevailing form of return migration to Croatian islands, especially to smaller ones. Consequently, the share of the elderly in the total population number is increasing, thus only masking the real consequences of long-term emigration. This paper addresses three basic concepts: retirement, return migration and reintegration into local island communities. The base are survey data collected by using interview method with returnee pensioners to four Croatian islands (Lošinj, Zlarin, Kaprije i Žirje). Through the life course model, the return is viewed only as one of the stages in the migration process, which does not have to be final but may be potentially reversible step.

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