During the last intercensal period, Croatia's total population declined by over 400,000, significantly impacting the country's age and family structures. The intensive emigration of young adults and entire families following Croatia's accession to the EU led not only to a substantial decrease in the total population but also to a notable reduction in the number of individuals of reproductive age, which ultimately influenced birth rates in subsequent years. Between 2011 and 2021, Croatia's population decreased by 9.6%. The number of people under the age of 15 fell by 15.3%, while those aged 15–64 declined by 14.7%. In contrast, the population aged 65 and older increased by 14.6%. As a result, Croatia recorded an unprecedentedly low number of live births in 2023.

Additionally, the number of families with children in Croatia decreased by approximately 100,000 during this period. The emigration of the working-age population created a labor shortage, forcing Croatia to rely heavily on immigrant labor force. Consequently, after years of being an emigrant country, Croatia transitioned into an immigrant destination, primarily due to the influx of workers from non-EU and Asian countries. However, most of the immigrants are male, who find employment in sectors such as construction, transportation, tourism and hospitality, etc. The substantial influx of foreign workers in the last few years prompts for the development of a robust immigration policy focused on ensuring effective and high-quality integration of foreign workers, among other things.

The main objective of this research is to analyze the impact of migration patterns in Croatia after 2011 on the country's age and family structures. Furthermore, the study will compare Croatia with other former socialist EU member states to better understand migration trends and their influence on population dynamics following these countries' accession to the EU.

The notion of 'left-behind places' has emerged as a prominent theme in discussions of geographical inequalities and has gained widespread usage in urban and regional studies. This term is employed to denote the particularly salient challenges faced by former industrial and rural regions that have been adversely impacted by population decline, globalization, economic shifts, and technological advancements. This research examines demographic dynamics in Latvia's peripheral and rural regions of Latvia through the population change, building on Billari's (2022) framework of the “fast and slow” demography perspective. While traditional demographic research has emphasized gradual, long-term population transitions, this study argues that Latvia's left-behind places experience demographic shifts driven by the interplay of structural population decline, out-migration, and uneven development patterns. The research investigates how these areas navigate between slow structural changes (aging, low fertility) and sudden demographic disruptions caused by economic and social factors. The study employs a set of variables derived from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, analyzing quantitative data of population turnover and migration share and age structures in rural areas and former industrial monotowns to understand patterns of demographic change. The study's initial findings suggest that Latvia's peripheral regions exhibit characteristics of both slow and fast demographic change, with some areas experiencing sudden population losses while maintaining underlying patterns of gradual decline. This research advances theoretical discussions about demographic temporalities in post-socialist context of urban change. The findings provides important insights for regional development policies by highlighting how different dimensions and temporalities of demographic change require varied policy responses.

The socio-cultural and economic conditions of older adults in Croatia, as well as the organization, accessibility, and quality of formal care services, both institutional and non-institutional, vary significantly depending on their geographical location. Key factors influencing these disparities include whether individuals reside in urban or rural areas, the size of their community, the region’s level of economic development, and the extent to which the area experiences immigration or outmigration. This paper aims to explore the role of the state in caring for the elderly and to examine the significance and impact of family ties and solidarity in old age. This analysis examines strategic documents that address the needs of older people in Croatia. It also presents findings from a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 41 respondents aged 65 and older, all of whom are ageing in place. The research was carried out in two distinct locations: Zagreb, Croatia’s largest and most economically developed city, and Vinkovci, a medium-sized city in a less economically developed region that has experienced significant outmigration in recent years. However, regardless of geographical location and personal socioeconomic conditions, all older persons receive some type of assistance and care primarily within the family or household. Although family ties remain strong and the level of solidarity is high, especially in small communities, informal carers cannot compensate for the, often complete, absence of formal care for older people. Demographic changes, including the decline in household size, transformations in family structures, advancements in gender equality in employment, and the significant migration of younger populations (from rural to urban areas and, increasingly, abroad over the past decade) require new approaches in planning to meet the needs of older people. There is a need to develop various services that enable older individuals to continue living in their own homes and encourage their active participation in community life, which can greatly enhance their quality of life. At the same time, due to the growing number of individuals aged 80 and older and their increased need for all forms of care, it is necessary to continuously expand the network of nursing homes.

The expansion of International Student Mobility (ISM) reflects the increasing internationalization of higher education, with growing attention to non-traditional destinations. Emerging ISM hubs, such as Latvia, challenge the dominance of established education centers, signaling a shift toward a more multipolar ISM landscape. While traditional research often focuses on motivations, destinations, and mechanisms of educational migration, this paper investigates how ISM contributes to demographic resilience in Latvia, a nation grappling with ageing populations and high emigration since the 1990s.

In recent decades, Latvia has leveraged internationalization to attract diverse student groups, particularly from non-European countries. Between 2000 and 2021, Latvia experienced a significant diversification in its immigrant population. In Riga, while the European population increased modestly by 4%, the non-European population grew by 25%, with the most prominent groups being Indians and Uzbeks. These populations have concentrated in inner-city areas, as well as near higher education institutions, while largely avoiding Soviet-era housing estates and outer-city neighborhoods.

This study explores Latvia’s dual identity as an emerging ISM hub: attractive for its affordability, cultural openness, and strategic location, yet less desirable due to its small size, semi-peripheral European status, and historical-geopolitical context. By examining these dynamics, the paper highlights ISM’s role in shaping Latvia’s immigration landscape and its potential to address demographic challenges. The findings provide insights into how ISM can serve as a strategic resource for demographic resilience in other regions facing similar population shifts.