Imotski: How one Croatian town is attracting young families and returnees

Imotski

Imotski, a small Croatian town in the Dalmatian hinterland, is quickly becoming a vibrant hub for young families, with a surprising 24% of its population under 19.

Known for its community spirit and affordable living, Imotski is attracting residents back from abroad and encouraging a new generation to settle down. With strong support for young families, Imotski is setting an inspiring example for rural communities across Croatia, reports Danas.hr.

Imotski has become a town full of young people. You may be surprised, but 24% of its residents are under 19, with an average age of 40. More and more people are returning to start their families here.

“Personally, my decision to return was entirely work-related. After finishing my studies and specialisation in Zagreb, I came back to join the family business,” Ante Kujundžić from Imotski said.

“I find it comfortable living here in Imotski. I’ve lived in Dubrovnik and Split, but work brought me back. I live here with my wife and child, and we’re happy. I don’t see what others see; for me, life here is pleasant,” Ante adds.

There are also many young families returning from Germany. The draw? A peaceful life and affordable housing, with property costing around €1,500 per square metre.

“I have a lot of friends who’ve moved back from Germany. They like the small-town life, where everything is close and easier. But their main reason is the children – raising kids here is simply better,” Ante explains.

And speaking of children, there are so many now that it’s becoming hard to secure places in nursery, particularly for younger children, prompting the expansion of local childcare facilities. Schools are well-attended too, with over 850 pupils across two primary schools.

Imotski (Photo: Dreizung/GNU Free Documentation License)

Some people, like Ružica, never left Imotski in the first place. “I had the chance to go abroad as my in-laws lived overseas, but once I had my children, I knew I’d stay here. It’s much easier here – I have three sons, and everything was simpler. Once they could cross the street on their own, they had freedom,” she says.

This is one reason why Imotski is one of just six Croatian towns with a birth rate higher than its death rate. “People seem to want to escape urban centres for rural areas where they may have better opportunities for a good life in the future,” says Maja Zelić from Split.

“Most people just want to live healthily and comfortably. They make good use of the support offered by Imotski and nearby municipalities. Recently, there’s been strong support for young families, including incentives, building materials, and subsidies to make it easier to start out,” says Zvonko Babić from Studenci.

There’s also financial support for housing, with families with multiple children eligible for €13,000 to €16,000 for building or renovating homes.

Imotski itself offers incentives, with €1,300 for a first child, double for the second, and €6,500 for the third. These benefits will increase next year, with new housing developments also planned for young families.

Blue Lake near Imotski

“But there’s more to consider beyond financial support – security, employment, early education, and community amenities that are fit for modern needs,” says Ivan Budalić, Mayor of Imotski. Over half the town’s budget is allocated to support for children and young people. The mayor himself is part of this trend in Imotski, sharing, “I have five children – the youngest is eight, and my oldest is about to get married.”

So, this town of 10,000 residents has set an example for all of Croatia.