Croatia Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Croatia's population growth was 0.52% in 2025, ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 205.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Croatia's population growth stood at 0.52% in 2025, a rise of +0.35pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.52% by 2025. Croatia ranked 143rd globally.
Croatia’s population growth rate has moderated to 0.52 % in 2025, placing the country 143rd globally and closely aligning with peers such as the Bahamas (0.53 %) and Viet Nam (0.53 %). Over the 65‑year series, the rate has fluctuated modestly, reaching an all‑time peak of 1.11 % in 1994 before plunging to a historic trough of –3.85 % in 2001, a period marked by pronounced emigration and low fertility. The earliest recorded growth of 0.65 % in 1961 already exceeded the current figure, indicating a long‑term deceleration. Compared with the European Union average of 0.49 %, Croatia’s pace remains slightly above the regional norm, yet the lingering negative swing of the early 2000s suggests structural demographic challenges. Continued improvements in labor‑market conditions and policies that encourage family formation could stabilize or modestly raise the growth trajectory in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.14% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.83% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.52% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.52% | +0.35pp | #143 |
| 2024 | 0.17% | +0.06pp | #49 |
| 2023 | 0.10% | +0.71pp | #49 |
| 2022 | -0.60% | +0.30pp | #20 |
| 2021 | -0.90% | −0.01pp | #20 |
| 2020 | -0.89% | +0.10pp | #16 |
| 2019 | -0.99% | +0.32pp | #13 |
| 2018 | -1.31% | +0.30pp | #12 |
| 2017 | -1.61% | −0.52pp | #9 |
| 2016 | -1.09% | +0.11pp | #15 |
| 2015 | -1.19% | −0.43pp | #10 |
| 2014 | -0.77% | −0.14pp | #13 |
| 2013 | -0.62% | −0.15pp | #16 |
| 2012 | -0.47% | −0.13pp | #20 |
| 2011 | -0.35% | −0.12pp | #22 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Croatia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw population growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Croatia's population growth was 0.52% in 2025. Ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 205.4% increase from the previous year.
Croatia's population growth peaked at 1.11% in 1994.
The lowest population growth in Croatia was -3.85% in 2001.
Croatia ranks 143rd globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Croatia's population growth is projected to reach 0.52% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Croatia in 2025 was 0.52%. This ranks 143rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_croatia_population-growth,
title = {Croatia Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/croatia/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}