Last year 76% of citizens rated their quality of life as bad, while the EU average with that opinion is 38%
Although satisfaction with living conditions in Croatia, which does not guarantee its citizens existential security, stability and sense of justice, has been on the continuing decline and is below EU average, residents of north-western Croatia are more satisfied with life than those in other areas of Croatia. They have more trust in institutions, they rate family and friends relations better and are less interested in leaving the country, Večernji List reported on June 22, 2016. This was shown in the results of a study undertaken by the Ivo Pilar institute on a sample of 1,000 citizens that included 196 from north-western Croatia and 804 from other areas, in the age from 18 to 88. Croatia falls behind the EU average with almost a third of unsatisfied citizens, while around 20% feel the same in the Union. Impossible to compare with Denmark and Sweden, who have 99% and 96% of satisfied citizens.
Additionally in Croatia, last year 76% of citizens rated their quality of life as bad, while the EU average is 38%. Only Romanians and Bulgarians had worse ratings, while Danes, Swedes and Dutch are ahead again where over 90% rated living quality as good.
“We analyzed differences between residents of north-western Croatia, which includes Krapina-Zagorje, Zagreb, Varaždin, Međimurje and Koprivnica-Križevci counties, with the rest of the nation. Results show they are somewhat more satisfied, have a stronger community belonging and are more optimistic towards the future. A lesser percentage of 4.1% wants to leave the country, compared to a 5.4% average in other areas,” professor Kaliterna Lipovčan stated.
“The standard opinion is that in the south, where the atmosphere is more relaxed and climate benevolent, life is better than in the north, European studies refute this. The Eurobarometer in 2015 showed that countries with the highest satisfaction are ones in the north – Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands, with the least satisfied being the southern countries, Spain, Portugal and Italy. It seems the economic and political situations in certain countries, crisis and unemployment, worry citizens more than the pleasure they gain from a mild climate and lovely environment,” Kaliterna Lipovčan said.
Having in mind we are behind by quality of life and satisfaction in the EU, citizens should think three times about how much will politicians they elect work for their quality of life, unless they want to remain in the back.
