Country Profile: Croatia

Croatia is located in Southeastern Europe, bordered by the Adriatic Sea and sharing land borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. The population is approximately 4 million, predominantly ethnic Croats, with a parliamentary republic governance structure. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income, benefiting from investments in the tourism sector and EU funds, and recently adopted the euro as its currency. The country has a rich historical background, having gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and joining NATO in 2009 and the EU in 2013.

Geography

Croatia features a diverse geography that includes flat plains in the north, low mountains, and a long coastline along the Adriatic Sea. It has a total area of 56,594 square kilometers, with significant land and maritime boundaries. The country's varied climate ranges from Mediterranean along the coast to continental inland, which impacts its agriculture and tourism.

5,835 km of coastline, including 1,200 islands.
1,831 m is the height of Dinara, the highest point.
34.7% of land is covered by forests (2023 est.).
26.6% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.).
620 sq km of water bodies within its territory.

People and Society

Croatia's population is estimated at 4,071,208 in 2025, with a median age of 44.9 years. The majority are ethnic Croats, and the official language is Croatian. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic, accounting for 79% of the population. Urbanization is notable, with 58.6% living in urban areas as of 2023.

58.6% urban population in 2023.
13.8% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.).
24.4% adult obesity prevalence (2016).
3.4 deaths per 1,000 live births (infant mortality rate, 2025 est.).
77.7 years life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).

Economy

Croatia's economy is an upper-middle-income Balkan economy, driven by tourism, agriculture, and structural funds from the European Union. The country introduced the euro in January 2023, marking a significant economic transition. The GDP per capita is approximately $42,600 for 2024, and the unemployment rate is forecasted at 5.3%.

3.8% GDP growth rate expected in 2024.
3.4% of GDP contributed by agriculture (2024 est.).
59.7% of GDP generated from the services sector (2024 est.).
7.3% of GDP from remittances (2024 est.).
$32.487 billion in government revenues (2023 est.).

Government

Croatia operates as a parliamentary republic, with the President and Prime Minister serving as the heads of state and government, respectively. The capital city is Zagreb, which is also the largest urban area. The legislative body is unicameral, composed of 151 seats. Croatia's legal framework is influenced by civil law traditions from its historical ties to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Zoran Milanović has been President since February 2020.
Andrej Plenković has served as Prime Minister since October 2016.
18 years is the voting age for universal suffrage.
22.6% of GDP spent on government consumption (2024 est.).

Military and Security

The Croatian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and are structured primarily for territorial defense and participation in international missions. Croatia has about 15,000 active-duty personnel and has been increasing its military expenditures in alignment with NATO commitments.

Military expenditures at 2% of GDP expected in 2025.
Participates in 150 missions in Kosovo (KFOR/NATO).
Conscription abolished in 2008; reinstatement expected in 2026.

Energy

Croatia features a diverse energy mix with significant reliance on hydroelectric power, making up 48.5% of its installed electricity capacity. The country aims for 100% electrification and has undertaken efforts to manage energy consumption effectively across all sectors.

100% electrification rate (2022).
16.408 billion kWh total electricity consumption (2023).
31.2% of electricity generated from fossil fuels (2023).

Environment

Croatia faces environmental challenges including urban air pollution and surface water pollution from the Danube Basin. The country participates in numerous international environmental agreements to address these issues, focusing on climate change, biodiversity, and pollution control.

20% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
105.5 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022 est.).
16.467 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 est.).

Transportation

Croatia boasts a well-developed transportation infrastructure with a mix of railways, roads, and maritime transport. The country has a growing number of airports and a merchant marine fleet contributing to trade and tourism.

2,617 km of railways, with 980 km electrified.
45 airports (2025).
384 vessels in the merchant marine fleet (2023).

Communications

The communications sector in Croatia is robust, with a high percentage of the population having access to mobile phones and the internet. The country has a national public broadcaster providing diverse media services.

83% internet penetration (2023).
4.72 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
1.11 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,071,208 (2025 est.)
Area	56,594 sq km
GDP	$92.526 billion (2024 est.)	Current exchange rate
Energy Consumption	79.907 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	8.49 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.3% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force
Life Expectancy	77.7 years (2024 est.)
Electric Access	100% (2022 est.)	Percentage of population
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Urban Population	58.6% (2023)