Croats think introducing euro will lead to price rise – survey

ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) – Citizens see the equalization of Croatia with the rest of the EU and easier payments as the biggest advantages of introducing the euro, while price increases and the loss of “monetary sovereignty” are their biggest fears, according to the results of a survey by the MojPosao portal, released on Wednesday.

The MojPosao web portal conducted the opinion poll on the introduction of the euro through the MojaPlaca website, and it has shown that more than a third (35%) of the 3,500 respondents are neither for nor against the introduction of the euro, that is, they did not have a clear attitude so they were excluded from the rest of the survey.

Of the citizens who have an opinion on the subject, 54% support the introduction of the euro, while 46% do not.

Older respondents support the currency change more, with 65% of those over the age of 46 having a positive view on the matter, compared with 49% of those younger than 25.

Broken down by gender, 64% of the men support the introduction of the euro, as well as 43% of the women, the MojPosao web portal said in the press release.

The study has also shown that those with higher salaries are in favour of the euro — 74% of those with a net salary over HRK 8,500 support it, compared to 43% of those who earn under HRK 4,500.

Half of the citizens see the equalization of Croatia with the rest of the EU and easier payments as the biggest advantages of introducing the euro.

They also think that the change will lead to a more stable currency, while some think that it would lead to lower interest rates on loans and a reduction in currency conversion fees for changing kunas into euros.

85 percent of respondents think prices will rise

As for disadvantages, people mostly fear price increases and the loss of “monetary sovereignty”.

Every third respondent thinks the introduction of the euro is too complicated, and a fourth of citizens say it will no longer be possible to use the exchange rate to increase the economy’s competitiveness.

Most respondents (85%) think that price increases are inevitable.

As for incomes, 40% of the respondents think that there will be no significant changes. A third hope that incomes will grow moderately, while every fourth respondent thinks they will decline.

According to some estimates and the current information, Croatia could introduce the euro as soon as 2023. The survey carried out by the MojPosao web portal shows that an equal number of people think that that is enough time to adjust and that the planned date is not sufficient for all the preliminary work needed to introduce the euro.