These days in Sarajevo, or really anywhere in the Balkans, all anyone talks about are the increasing rates of emigration. These societies are simply disappearing. It’s no longer merely the young, it’s established professionals in their 40s and 50s. “Fajront” for a whole region.
Ironically, it’s opened up a few jobs for the few young professionals willing to stick it out. But I’ve yet to talk to a person in the city who is not either seriously considering, or has not already actually filed paperwork for Germany, Sweden, Canada etc.
In other words, these societies are on the speedway twds demographic collapse: declining birth rates + aging populations + massive emigration. You can literally see it happening in front of your eyes. Far worse situation than, say, just 2 yrs ago.
And the dirty lil’ secret: EU states like GER actually encourage this bc they are in desperate need of white & blue collars workers, even as far-right parties peddle anti-immigrant sentiment. Rank hypocrisy.
The process is also encouraged by local nationalists who are happy to be left w an aging, immobile, remittences dependent populations which will keep them cemented in power bc of their expansive patronage networks. They’re happy to see potential agents of social change depart.
We’ve known this from statistics & data for some time but the last few days have shocked even me: dentists, IT professionals, construction workers, nannies — everyone, from every segment of society is leaving. We’re headed twds a genuine social implosion in the Balkans. /xxx
