A 15-day population census has commenced in Montenegro, according to the country’s Monstat statistical agency.
In a significant milestone for Montenegro, the country has recently conducted its second population census since gaining independence. The originally scheduled date of 1 November for the announcement was delayed by the new Milojko Spajić cabinet. After facing opposition threats of a boycott due to the exclusion of its members from the census commissions, the announcement was further postponed until 30 November, and eventually until today.
In a recent development, the government of Montenegro, along with representatives from the opposition and the Council of smaller peoples, came together to sign an agreement on the census. This agreement includes various measures such as the establishment of expanded census commissions, the implementation of data oversight, the creation of verification software, and the prohibition of census-related campaigns by political parties.
The inclusion of questions regarding ethnicity and language in the census sparked political controversy, despite Eurostat’s recommendation to exclude them.
Politicians often debate the demographics of Montenegro, focusing on the majority population and the most widely spoken language. READ MORE about Montenegrin language
In the 2011 census, which took place five years prior to Montenegro’s renewed independence, 45% of the population identified themselves as Montenegrin, while 29% identified as Serb. Regarding language, 43% of respondents reported speaking Serbian, while 37% indicated they spoke Montenegrin.
In October, the census campaign took on a striking resemblance to an election campaign, as pro-Serb political parties and the Serb Orthodox Church exerted pressure on citizens to identify as Serb.
Ethnic map of Montenegro, census 2011, source: Wikipedia
Based on the 2011 census data, a significant portion of the population, around 18%, identified themselves as Islamic believers with affiliations to Bosniak, Muslim, Albanian, or Montenegrin backgrounds. Additionally, approximately 5.5% of the population reported speaking Bosnian, while another 5.5% reported speaking Albanian. In the recent census, it was revealed that a small fraction of the population, specifically 0.97%, identified as Croatian. Additionally, only 0.45% of the population reported speaking the Croatian language.
The population of Montenegro could see a significant increase this year, primarily attributed to the influx of Russians, Ukrainians, and Turks who have relocated to the country.
Based on the 2011 census data, Montenegro’s population was recorded at 620,000. Over the past few years, a staggering number of foreigners, totaling over 100,000, have made their way to the country, constituting nearly 15% of the population.
Following Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, there has been a noticeable increase in the population of both Russians and Ukrainians. In 2016, a wave of Turkish citizens began relocating following a failed coup attempt in their home country. Unofficial data suggests that approximately 17,000 Turks are currently registered in Montenegro.
The census results are expected to be released at least six months after its completion.
Possible reintroduction of Serbian language in Montenegro schools and official use anticipated with upcoming census?
According to the Montenegro census, Serbian language instruction and official usage may resume.
More than 50% of Montenegrins, according to the country’s officials, will claim to speak Serbian, which might lead to the language’s return to the classroom and official usage.
On December 3, Montenegro is scheduled to perform a contentious census that may exacerbate already existing tensions and ethnic divisions.
There is a sizable ethnic Serbian community in the small Balkan country of little over 600,000 people, accounting for 28% of the total population. However, others worry that pro-Russian groups would attempt to exaggerate the number of people who call themselves Serbian.
A member of parliament for the Montenegrin Nationalists party, Nikola Rakočević said:
“Mr Vučić (the president of Serbia) said on television that the census in Montenegro is one of the key issues for the vital interest of Serbia. Imagine that statement, imagine if before a census in Serbia, a Croatian or a Montenegrin president would say the same about their minorities in Serbia. It would be at least strange.”
The census was originally scheduled for November 1st, but it was postponed due to technological issues and the possibility of opposition parties boycotting.
More than 50% of Montenegrins, according to the country’s officials, will claim to speak Serbian, which might lead to the language’s return to the classroom and official usage.
Given that some Montenegrin nationalists use Serbian as their first language, the distinction between ethnic Serbs and the general populace is not entirely clear.
Philosophical professor Miroslav Doderović teaches at the University of Podgorica. He claims that pro-Serbian parties have asked for the census:
“They are forcing the census as an opportunity to strengthen their arguments and to try to influence the change in the constitutional-legal category and the position of the Serbian language and nationality.”
Source: euronews
