Quick facts
Croatia population overview
Croatia is the 27th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 3,835,817 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.7% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 69 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 30,687 births (8 per 1,000 people) and 53,701 deaths (14 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 2,685 people. The infant mortality rate is 3.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population fell from 4,140,181 in 1960 to 3,876,200 in 2025 — a change of -6.4%, or -0.1% per year on average. It peaked at 4,777,368 in 1990 and has declined 20.1% since.
Demographically, the median age is 45.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 79.1 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 13.7% of residents are under 15 and 23.6% are 65 or older (2025); 57.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Zagreb. Croatia covers 88,070 km², giving a population density of about 43.3 people per km². GDP was $105.06B in 2025 — about $27,104 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Croatia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 3,815,627 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 3,835,817 |
| World rank | #130 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #27 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.046% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.7% |
| Births per year est. | 30,687 |
| Deaths per year est. | 53,701 |
| Net migration per year est. | -2,685 |
| Birth rate | 8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 14 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 93.3 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 45.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 79.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 57.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 88,070 km² |
| Population density | 43.3 per km² |
| Capital | Zagreb |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $105.06B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $27,104 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Croatia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 3,815,627 | – | – |
| 2025 | 3,876,200 | +10,000 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 3,866,200 | +6,514 | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 3,859,686 | +4,045 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 3,855,641 | -23,340 | -0.6% |
| 2021 | 3,878,981 | -35,225 | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 3,914,206 | -237,519 | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 4,151,725 | -143,702 | -0.7% |
| 2010 | 4,295,427 | -14,718 | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 4,310,145 | -158,157 | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 4,468,302 | -151,728 | -0.7% |
| 1995 | 4,620,030 | -157,338 | -0.7% |
| 1990 | 4,777,368 | +75,951 | +0.3% |
| 1985 | 4,701,417 | +101,635 | +0.4% |
| 1980 | 4,599,782 | +87,700 | +0.4% |
| 1975 | 4,512,082 | +99,830 | +0.4% |
| 1970 | 4,412,252 | +131,329 | +0.6% |
| 1965 | 4,280,923 | +140,742 | +0.7% |
| 1960 | 4,140,181 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Croatia
Population over time
- From 4,140,181 in 1960 to 3,815,627 today — down 7.8%.
- Population peaked at 4,777,368 in 1990 and is down 20.1% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.9 years (2024), up 13.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.3 births vs 13.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 4.9 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 13.7% of the population is under 15 and 23.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 7.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 18.68 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 33.42 Mt in 1988 — down 44.1% since.
- Per person: 4.83 t in 2024, vs 3.6 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,237.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 12.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 34.1% of final energy in 2021 (+12.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 34.8% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 33.2% to 34.8% since 1992 — roughly 1,384 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 57.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 30.1% in 1960 (+27.7 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1984.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 9,778 m³ in 2022, up 18.7% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $105.06B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 106% since 2015.
- That works out to $27,104 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.7% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 83.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 121.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Croatia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Croatia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Croatia has an estimated population of 3,815,627. The United Nations estimated 3,835,817 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Croatia growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.7% per year — roughly 69 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 30,687 births and 53,701 deaths, with net migration of -2,685.
What is the population density of Croatia?
About 43.3 people per square kilometre: 3,815,627 people living on 88,070 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Croatia?
The median age is 45.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 79.1 years. 13.7% of the population is under 15 and 23.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Croatia rank by population?
Croatia is the 130th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 27th in Europe, with 0.046% of the global population.
How has the population of Croatia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 4,140,181; by 2025 it had fallen to 3,876,200 (-6.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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UruguaySources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.