Croatia’s population: latest data and hot spot analysis
As a beautiful country in Southeast Europe, Croatia attracts tourists from all over the world with its charming coastline and rich history and culture. In recent years, Croatia’s demographic changes have become one of the hot topics. This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of Croatia's population status and provide structured data based on hot content from the entire Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Current Population Status of Croatia

According to the latest statistical data in 2023, Croatia's population shows a continued downward trend. Here are key statistics on Croatia’s population:
| Year | total population | population growth rate | Population density (person/square kilometer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,047,200 | -0.61% | 73.1 |
| 2021 | 4,019,800 | -0.67% | 72.6 |
| 2022 | 3,992,400 | -0.68% | 72.1 |
| 2023 (estimated) | 3,965,000 | -0.69% | 71.6 |
2. Demographic Structure Analysis
Croatia’s population structure shows an obvious aging trend. The specific data are as follows:
| age group | Proportion | Changing trends |
|---|---|---|
| 0-14 years old | 14.3% | ↓ |
| 15-64 years old | 63.8% | ↓ |
| 65 years and above | 21.9% | ↑ |
3. Reasons for Population Decline
1.low fertility rate: Croatia’s fertility rate is only 1.45, well below the population replacement level (2.1).
2.exodus: A large number of young people choose to work and live in EU countries such as Germany and Austria.
3.Increasing aging: The population over 65 years old accounts for more than 20%, entering a super-aging society.
4.economic factors: Croatia’s economic growth is slow and employment opportunities are limited, which affects young people’s desire to have children.
4. Hot Topics in Croatia’s Population
1.Immigration policy adjustments: The Croatian government is considering relaxing immigration policies to ease the demographic crisis.
2.fertility incentives: The government has launched a number of measures to encourage childbirth, including cash subsidies and extended maternity leave.
3.retirement age controversy: In the face of aging, the proposal to raise the retirement age has triggered social discussion.
4.Regional differences: The population in coastal areas is relatively stable, while the population loss in inland areas is serious.
5. Population data of major cities in Croatia
| city | Population (2023) | National proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Zagreb | 792,900 | 20.0% |
| Split | 178,100 | 4.5% |
| Rijeka | 128,600 | 3.2% |
| osijek | 108,000 | 2.7% |
6. Future population forecast
According to United Nations projections, Croatia’s population will continue to decrease:
| Year | Projected population | Changes from 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 3,850,000 | -2.9% |
| 2050 | 3,550,000 | -10.5% |
| 2100 | 2,950,000 | -25.6% |
7. Prospects for Croatia’s Population Policy
The Croatian government has realized the seriousness of the demographic crisis and is taking a number of measures to deal with it:
1. Raise childcare subsidy standards to reduce the burden of childcare on families
2. Attract overseas Croatians to return and provide employment and entrepreneurship support
3. Reform the pension system to ensure the sustainable development of an aging society
4. Promote economic development, create more job opportunities and retain young people
Croatia’s demographic problems reflect common challenges faced by many countries in Europe. In the era of globalization, how to balance population structure, economic development and social welfare will become a key issue in Croatia's future policy formulation.
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