Country Profile: Croatia

Croatia is located in Southeastern Europe, bordered by the Adriatic Sea and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. With a population of approximately 4.15 million, the country enjoys a rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, from flat plains to mountainous regions. Croatia's economy, classified as upper-middle-income, has seen notable growth driven by tourism and investments from EU structural funds, particularly since it joined the Eurozone in January 2023. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Croatia has a stable political environment characterized by a multi-party system and a commitment to European integration.

Geography

Croatia's geographic coordinates are 45°10' N latitude and 15°30' E longitude, encompassing a total area of 56,594 sq km, slightly smaller than West Virginia. The country boasts a diverse terrain that includes flat plains along its northern border and low mountains near the Adriatic coastline. With a coastline measuring 5,835 km, Croatia is home to around 1,200 islands, islets, and rocks. The climate is predominantly continental with hot summers and cold winters, particularly in the interior, while the coastal areas experience milder winters and dry summers.

Total area: 56,594 sq km
Land boundaries: 2,237 km
Coastline: 5,835 km
Highest point: Dinara at 1,831 m
Agricultural land: 26.6% of total land (2023 est.)
Forest cover: 34.7% (2023 est.)
Natural hazards: Destructive earthquakes

People and Society

Croatia has an estimated population of 4,150,116 in 2024, with a slight majority being female (approximately 2.15 million). The ethnic composition is predominantly Croat at 91.6%, with Serbs and other minorities making up the remainder. The official language is Croatian, used by 95.2% of the population. The country has a rich cultural heritage, primarily Roman Catholic, with 79% of its citizens identifying with this faith. As of 2024, the median age is 45.1 years, reflecting an aging population.

Population: 4,150,116 (2024 est.)
Urban population: 58.6% (2023)
Birth rate: 8.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life expectancy: 77.7 years (2024 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.46 children/woman (2024 est.)
Obesity rate: 24.4% (2016)
Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Economy

Croatia has a robust economy characterized as upper-middle-income, with a real GDP (PPP) estimated at $164.825 billion for 2024. The nation experienced significant growth driven by tourism, which has become increasingly vital since joining the EU. The unemployment rate is at a low 5.3% in 2024, although labor shortages persist in several sectors. The country’s GDP composition includes 3.4% from agriculture, 19.8% from industry, and 59.7% from services.

GDP (PPP): $164.825 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.3% (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $42,600 (2024 est.)
Inflation rate: 3% (2024 est.)
Exports: $46.601 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $49.86 billion (2024 est.)
Public debt: 75.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Croatia is a parliamentary republic with a political structure that includes a president and a unicameral legislative body known as the Croatian Parliament (Hrvatski Sabor). The current president is Zoran Milanovic, and the prime minister is Andrej Plenkovic. The country has 20 counties and a capital city, Zagreb, which serves as the political and cultural center. The legal system is based on civil law, influenced by its historical ties to Austria-Hungary.

Government type: Parliamentary republic
Capital: Zagreb
Administrative divisions: 20 counties
Voting age: 18 years
Last parliamentary election: April 2024
Current president: Zoran Milanovic (since February 2020)
Legislature seats: 151

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 15,000 active personnel anticipated in 2025. Military expenditures have been steadily increasing and are projected to be 2% of GDP in 2025. Croatia has been a NATO member since 2009, participating in various international missions and security operations.

Active military personnel: 15,000 (2025 est.)
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military service age: 18-27 years
NATO member since: 2009
Military deployments: Personnel in Kosovo and Lithuania
Equipment inventory: Mix of Soviet-era and modern systems
Conscription: Abolished in 2008, slated for reinstatement in 2025

Energy

Croatia's energy sector is characterized by a mix of generation sources including hydroelectricity (48.5% of installed capacity), fossil fuels, and renewables. The country has achieved 100% electrification among its population. In 2023, electricity consumption reached 16.408 billion kWh, with significant imports and exports of electricity, highlighting its energy interdependencies.

Installed capacity: 5.518 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 16.408 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity imports: 10.038 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity exports: 8.461 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas consumption: 2.689 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Total petroleum production: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Coal consumption: 596,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Transportation

Croatia boasts a well-developed transportation network that includes 2,617 km of railways and 45 airports. The merchant marine fleet comprises 384 vessels, facilitating maritime trade and transport. Major ports, such as Rijeka and Split, enhance the country's connectivity across the Adriatic Sea.

Railways total: 2,617 km
Airports: 45
Merchant marine: 384 vessels (2023)
Ports: 16 (2024)
Civil aircraft registration prefix: 9A
Heliports: 7 (2025)
Electrification: 100% (2022 est.)

Communications

In terms of communications, Croatia has a high penetration of mobile phone subscriptions, with 4.56 million mobile cellular subscriptions reported in 2023. The state-owned Croatian Radiotelevision provides national broadcasting services, while internet accessibility stands at 83% of the population.

Total internet users: 83% (2023 est.)
Fixed telephone subscriptions: 1.203 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 4.56 million (2023 est.)
Broadband fixed subscriptions: 1.11 million (2023 est.)
Televisions: Operates 4 national TV networks
Internet country code: .hr
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 mobile (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,150,116 (2024 est.)
Area	56,594 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$164.825 billion (2024)
Energy Consumption	79.907 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	8.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.3% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.7 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Internet Penetration	83% (2023 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.46 children/woman (2024 est.)