Croatia/Society

Society in Croatia

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
3.9M(2023)
Population Growth
0.1%(2023)
Fertility Rate
1.46(2023)
Death Rate
13.3 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-5.2K(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
78.5 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
4.6 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
3 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
7.2%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
99.4%(2021)
Primary Enrollment
88%(2017)
Secondary Enrollment
105.6%(2022)
Tertiary Enrollment
80.8(2022)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
4.1%(2021)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
83.2%(2023)
Access to Electricity
100%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
98.7%(2007)
Urban Population
2.3M(2023)
Rural Population
1.6M(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Croatia

  • Croatia has an estimated population of 3.9M
    2023
    , with a modest annual growth rate of 0.1%
    2023
    , suggesting a mature demographic transition with stable, but limitated, population increase. The critically low fertility rate of 1.5 births per woman
    2023
    presents severe demographic challenges, including accelerated population aging and contraction, impacting economic and social systems. Net emigration of approximately 5K individuals annually (or 1.3 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, robust public health systems are evident in a strong life expectancy of 78.5 years
    2023
    , indicating effective healthcare delivery. Concurrently, healthcare system effectiveness is further validated by favorable maternal and child health outcomes, reflected in a child mortality rate (under 5 years) of 4.6 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and a maternal mortality rate of 3 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    . These outcomes are supported by a moderate commitment to health system development, with 7.2% of GDP directed to healthcare expenditure
    2022
    .
  • The country boasts exceptional educational attainment with a near-universal adult literacy rate of 99%
    2021
    , establishing a robust foundation for a knowledge-based economy. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 88% primary enrollment
    2017
    and 106% secondary participation rates
    2022
    . This educational framework is supported by moderate public support, with 4.1% of GDP allocated to public educational expenditure
    2021
    , reflecting a balanced approach to funding.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (59% urban population
    2023
    ) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 100% electricity access
    2023
    and 83% internet penetration
    2023
    , supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

The combination of low fertility and net emigration poses significant long-term risks to workforce sustainability and economic vitality.

Public Health System

Sustained, high investment in healthcare underpins the country's excellent life expectancy and human development outcomes.

Human Capital Formation

A highly educated populace positions the nation for success in the global knowledge economy. Keeping talent is a vital strength.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.