Demographic trends and e-inclusion in the Republic of Croatia – a case study of the 54+ population

Global demographic trends indicate that the share of the elderly in the total population is growing due to the increase in life expectancy and the decline in the number of births. The policy of sustainable development addresses this problem because the number of pensioners and life expectancy are increasing, the number of younger employees is declining, and there is a need to extend working life if possible. Consequently, this affects the relief of pension funds on the one hand, and on the other, employers need to make additional efforts to ensure that senior employees develop digital competencies so that they can be active in the business system. Due to their age, numerous members of the 54+ population have limitations (eyesight, motor skills, acquisition of new knowledge, adaptation) making it difficult to develop digital literacy and remain active. Leaving the business environment usually brings a kind of personal sense of “liberation” from the obligation to adapt to the challenges of the digital age and raise digital literacy, which in turn leads to isolation and a growing digital generation gap. This is a social problem that requires an active and systematic approach to solution through public policies. The paper presents key indicators that can support all previously stated claims. The main data sources are mainly secondary databases such as the data of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics on the Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011 and 2021 (hereinafter referred to as Census) in the Republic of Croatia, Eurostat data on e-society, scientific papers and public policies on the issue.