In a Nutshell - Croatia

 

War Damage Osijek, Croatia - photo by JoAnn Sturman

Scott Sturman

Croatia along the Danube, unlike the touristy Dalmatian Coast, is agricultural and poor.  In 1991 the area around Vukovar received the brunt of Serbian aggression, and for generations to come patriots with be downing liters of slivovitz in commemoration of the military prowess of a band of irregulars, out numbered 20:1, who held off the Serbs for 100 days.  Memories like these last for centuries in the Balkans. 

Memorial Osijek - photo by JoAnn Sturman

Croatians, Serbs, and Bosnians hail from the same gene pool and speak similar languages, but powerful religious and cultural affiliations cast them as mortal enemies.  86% of Croatians identify themselves as both Croatian and Roman Catholic, although the birthrate is a paltry 1.4%.  As with other countries of Eastern Europe, the period of Turkish occupation equates with oppression and crippling taxation.  From the Turkish conquest at the Battle of Mohacs in 1526 until their departure in 1797, Croatia merely existed.  To this day, the bells at Osijek chime at 1100 AM one day a week to celebrate the conclusion of Turkish occupation. 

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul - photo by JoAnn Sturman

Of Croatia’s 4.5 million people, 1 million are retired.  Veterans of the Serbian War account for 400,000 of these and were granted retirement for life in 1996 for their service to the country.  This largess has grave implications for the economic health of the country.  The average Croatian earns about $1000/month of which the first $800 is excluded from income tax.  All other income is taxed progressively at a 35-45% rate.  Croatia became a member of the EU this year with plans to convert to the Euro in 5-7 years. 

   Osijek - photo by JoAnn Sturman

Health care is funded by income tax, but as our guide quipped,  “It doesn’t cost anything until you need to see a doctor.”  Baseline care under national health care is inadequate, and most Croatians supplement access to care by purchasing private insurance.  They smoke like chimneys, and cigarette butts are the only litter one sees on otherwise clean streets.

Bullets and Flowers - photo by JoAnn Sturman