Montenegro Loses an Average of 22 People Daily

(Patria) - Montenegro has recorded almost negligible population growth in the last 20 years - only 3,600 people. While the north faces a loss of over 25,000 inhabitants, the south is experiencing 10 percent growth.

These figures were presented by the Montenegrin Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care, and Demography, Damir Gutić, during a consultative hearing on the topic "Demographic Trends and Natural Increase in Montenegro".

Based on official statistical data, the Committee for Health, Labour, and Social Welfare assessed that Montenegro has been in a demographic crisis for a longer period, and they deemed the estimate that around 94,000 inhabitants emigrated from the country between 2011 and 2023 as concerning.

- According to the MONSTAT census from 2023, Montenegro has 623,633 inhabitants, which means a natural increase of only 147 people annually over the last 20 years.

The depopulation of the north is particularly concerning, with 25,247 inhabitants emigrating from there in the last 12 years, while the south of the country records a 10 percent growth - says Gutić.

He explained that demographic challenges encompass four key categories: natural population movement, migration, aging, and regional differences.

He emphasized that the first negative natural increase was recorded in 2020 and continued in the following two years, while the lowest number of live births (6,964) was registered in 2024.

- Podgorica and Budva are the main immigration centers, while municipalities with an emigration trend have an older population and a lower capacity for demographic renewal.

It is estimated that between 2011 and 2023, around 94,000 people emigrated from Montenegro, meaning that an average of 22 people left the country daily - adds Gutić.

The average age of the population increased from 31 years in 1991 to 39.7 years in 2023.

Nine municipalities are already in the stage of deepest demographic aging, and 36.3% of the total population lives in them.