ZAGREB — Croatia has announced a new package of measures aimed at improving support for families and children, with the government focusing on childcare, parental assistance and policies designed to make it easier for people to raise children.

The Croatian government says family policy remains a major national priority as the country faces demographic challenges and a declining working-age population.

One of the key areas of the programme is improving access to childcare. Authorities are investing in additional kindergarten capacity so that more families can obtain places for their children closer to home.

The government is also expanding financial support for parents, particularly during the early years of a child’s life. Officials say the measures are intended to reduce some of the financial pressure associated with raising children.

Croatia has been working to increase parental benefits in recent years, including higher payments for parents taking maternity and parental leave. The government views stronger income support as an important part of encouraging families to have children while helping parents remain connected to the labour market.

Another focus is support for working parents. Authorities are seeking to make childcare arrangements more flexible and improve coordination between family responsibilities and employment.

The government has also highlighted the importance of creating better conditions for young families to remain in Croatia rather than moving abroad. Housing affordability, employment opportunities and access to public services are being considered as important elements of demographic policy.

Local governments are playing an important role in implementing family-support measures. Croatia’s central government is working with municipalities and cities to expand childcare infrastructure and provide services tailored to local needs.

Officials say the country’s demographic situation cannot be addressed through financial incentives alone. The government believes that families also need reliable childcare, stable employment, affordable housing and accessible public services.

The latest measures are therefore part of a broader demographic strategy rather than a single programme.

Croatia has experienced significant population changes over the past decade, including natural population decline and outward migration. The government is attempting to counter these trends by improving living conditions for families and creating stronger incentives for young people to build their futures in the country.

The family-policy programme also has an economic dimension. Increasing participation in the workforce, particularly among parents, could help Croatia address labour shortages while supporting economic growth.

Government officials have said that demographic policy will remain a long-term priority and that further measures could be introduced as authorities evaluate the effectiveness of existing programmes.

Croatia’s latest approach reflects a wider challenge facing many European countries: maintaining a sustainable population while ensuring that families have the financial and social support needed to raise children.