Country Profile: Croatia

Croatia is located in Southeastern Europe along the Adriatic Sea, bordered by Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast and Slovenia to the northwest. With an estimated population of approximately 4.07 million in 2025, the country has a rich cultural heritage shaped by its history as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later Yugoslavia. Croatia has a parliamentary republic governance structure, having joined the European Union in 2013 and adopted the euro in 2023. The nation boasts a diverse economy, driven primarily by tourism, services, and a growing industrial sector.

Geography

Croatia's geographic diversity includes flat plains along the Hungarian border, low mountains, and a beautiful coastline with around 1,200 islands in the Adriatic Sea. The country has a total area of 56,594 sq km, slightly smaller than West Virginia, and features a climate that ranges from Mediterranean along the coast to continental further inland.

5,835 km of coastline, including mainland and islands
1,831 m is the highest elevation at Dinara
34.7% of land is covered by forests (2023 est.)
Major rivers include the 2,888 km long Danube
An estimated 26.6% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.)

People and Society

As of 2025, Croatia's population is projected to be 4,071,208, with approximately 58.6% living in urban areas. The predominant ethnic group is Croats (91.6%), followed by Serbs (3.2%), with the official language being Croatian. The median age of the population is 44.9 years, reflecting an aging demographic.

79% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic
3.4 deaths/1,000 live births is the infant mortality rate (2025 est.)
The life expectancy at birth is 77.7 years (2024 est.)
1.43 children born per woman (2025 est.)
58.6% of the population is urbanized (2023)

Economy

Croatia's economy is classified as upper-middle-income, heavily supported by EU investments and a robust tourism sector. The GDP (PPP) in 2024 is estimated at $164.825 billion, with a growth rate of 3.8%. The labor market faces challenges such as low unemployment and labor shortages in key sectors.

$92.526 billion is the GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.)
The unemployment rate is 5.3% (2024 est.)
3.4% of GDP is derived from agriculture (2024 est.)
59.7% of GDP comes from services (2024 est.)
18% of the population lived below the national poverty line (2021 est.)

Government

Croatia operates as a parliamentary republic, with the capital, Zagreb, serving as its political center. The current president is Zoran Milanović, and the prime minister is Andrej Plenković. The nation is divided administratively into 20 counties and one city with special status, functioning under a civil law system influenced by the legal heritage of Austria-Hungary.

The latest constitution was adopted on 22 December 1990
151 seats in the unicameral Croatian Parliament
18 years is the legal voting age
Croatia became independent on 25 June 1991
The national holiday is celebrated on 30 May (Statehood Day)

Military and Security

The Croatian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a focus on NATO compatibility. Military expenditures are estimated at 2% of GDP for 2025, and the nation contributes to international missions, including NATO operations.

Approximately 15,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Military service is voluntary for ages 18-29
Conscription was abolished in 2008 but is set to be reinstated in 2026
Croatia joined NATO in 2009
Current military deployments include 150 personnel in Kosovo (KFOR/NATO)

Energy

Croatia has a fully electrified population with a diverse energy mix, heavily reliant on hydropower and fossil fuels. The country exported 8.461 billion kWh of electricity in 2023 while consuming 16.408 billion kWh.

100% electrification of the population (2022 est.)
5.518 million kW installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.)
48.5% of energy is generated from hydroelectric sources
2.689 billion cubic meters of natural gas consumed (2023 est.)
11,000 bbl/day of total petroleum production (2023 est.)

Transportation

Croatia's transportation network includes a mix of railways, roads, and air travel, supporting both domestic and international transport. The country operates 45 airports and a merchant marine of 384 vessels.

2,617 km of railway, with 980 km electrified (2020)
16 total ports, including major ones like Rijeka and Split
1.1 million fixed telephone subscriptions (2024 est.)
4.72 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.)
1.11 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)

Environment

Croatia faces environmental challenges including air pollution and surface water pollution in specific regions. The country is party to several international environmental agreements and manages diverse ecosystems.

20% of municipal solid waste was recycled (2022 est.)
105.5 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
The country has 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Major environmental issues include air pollution from urban areas
16.467 million metric tonnes of CO2 emitted (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,071,208	Estimated for 2025
Area	56,594 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$164.825 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	79.907 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	8.49 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment Rate	5.3%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	77.7 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP	Estimated for 2025
Urban Population	58.6%	Estimated for 2023
Total Renewable Water Resources	105.5 billion cubic meters	Estimated for 2022