September the 6th, 2026 – The Croatian population rose by just 8,760 in 2025, which is representative of a 0.2% increase.
According to the mid-2025 population estimate, Croatia had just 3,874,993 inhabitants (1,893,472 men and 1,981,521 women). Poslovni reports that compared with the previous year’s estimate, the population increased by 8,760 people, or 0.2%. The continuous and deeply concerning ageing of the population continued in 2025.
Istria County recorded the largest relative increase: +1.60%, while growth was also recorded in: Zadar, Zagreb County, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Lika-Senj, Split-Dalmatia, Šibenik-Knin and Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties. The City of Zagreb specifically grew by 0.45%. The remaining counties saw population declines. The sharpest relative drops were in Sisak-Moslavina (−1.14%) and Požega-Slavonia (−1.13%).
a constantly ageing population
The average age of the total population was 44.7 years (men 42.9, women 46.4), placing Croatia among the oldest nations in Europe. The highest share of people aged 65+ relative to the total population was recorded in Šibenik-Knin County (28.8%). The lowest share of all was seen in the City of Zagreb (20.9%). The share of young people (0–19 years) in the total population was just 18.7%. The lowest share of young people was recorded in Primorje-Gorski Kotar (16.2%), while the highest was recorded in Međimurje County (21.1%).
The share of the fertile contingent (women aged 15–49) in the total female population was also a very worrying 39.8%.
over half of the country lives in just 5 counties
52.5% of Croatia’s population lives in just five counties. The City of Zagreb is home to 20.1% (777,744 people), Split-Dalmatia County is home to 11.1% (431,463 people). The least populated were Lika-Senj County: 43,402 (1.1%) and Požega-Slavonia County: 60,289 (1.6%).
natural change and migration
In 2025, 32,479 births were registered across Croatia (410 more than in 2024), while 50,007 deaths were recorded (1,073 fewer than in 2024). The natural increase remained negative at −17,528 (slightly better than the previous year). Marriages and divorces also both rose. There were 17,270 marriages (+64 compared with 2024) and 5,674 divorces. (+713 compared with 2024).
As far as net migration is concerned, it stood at +19,180 (almost half the 2024 figure of +31,394).
