Depopulation in Croatia shows a tendency of spreading even further. The situation is especially difficult in war-torn areas. On the other hand, there is also a trend towards relatively great pressure of population in urban areas. All major cities of Croatia are faced with typical problems generated by the great pressure of inhabitants on the environment. There are insufficient and inadequate housing, unauthorised construction, inadequate traffic and other infrastructure systems, conflicts between different users, overburdened environment etc. which all affect the quality of living.
Rural areas face problems of a completely different nature.
With a few exceptions, the entire rural area can be described as one neglected and ignored over many years, marked with undeveloped infrastructure. The consequences today are total demographic and social deterioration. However, on account of still intact economic potentials of rural areas and their preserved and healthy environment, recent developmental plans see them as promising areas which have capacity to relieve overpopulated cities and become valuable economic regions. Mr. Chairperson, Considering the relation between the health of our population and the environment, available data does not indicate any particular environmental factor as a possible health problem. The fact is that, there are no analyses covering different regions of the country.