Country Profile: Croatia

Croatia is a country located in Southeastern Europe, bordered by the Adriatic Sea, with diverse geography that includes flat plains and mountainous areas along its coastline. The country has a population of approximately 4.15 million, with a rich cultural heritage influenced by its historical connections to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Yugoslavia. Croatia's economy is characterized as an upper-middle-income economy, heavily reliant on tourism and EU investments, while its governance is structured as a parliamentary republic. Recent developments include joining the Eurozone in 2023, reflecting its ongoing integration into European frameworks.

Geography

Croatia is strategically positioned along the Adriatic Sea, sharing land borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast and Slovenia to the northwest. Its geographic terrain is varied, featuring flat plains in the north and mountainous highlands near the coast. The country boasts a coastline extending 5,835 km, including around 1,200 islands.

Total Area: 56,594 sq km
Highest Point: Dinara, 1,831 m
Coastline Length: 5,835 km
Population Distribution: Approximately 25% live in Zagreb, the capital.
Natural Hazards: Prone to destructive earthquakes.
Climate: Characterized by Mediterranean and continental influences.

People and Society

Croatia has an estimated population of about 4.15 million people, predominantly ethnic Croats (91.6%), with a significant number of minorities including Serbs and others. The official language is Croatian, and the majority of the population is Roman Catholic.

Life Expectancy: 77.7 years (2024 est.)
Median Age: 45.1 years (2024 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 58.6% of the population is urban (2023).
Birth Rate: 8.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.).
Total Fertility Rate: 1.46 children/woman (2024 est.).
Ethnic Composition: 91.6% Croat, 3.2% Serb.

Economy

Croatia's economy is classified as upper-middle-income, with significant contributions from EU investments and the tourism sector. The country transitioned to using the euro in January 2023, and displays strong economic growth, albeit moderated by inflation control measures.

GDP (PPP): $164.825 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.3% (2024 est.).
Real GDP Growth Rate: 3.8% (2024 est.)
Labor Force: 1.733 million (2024 est.).
Exports: $46.601 billion (2024 est.).
Public Debt: 75.6% of GDP (2023 est.).

Government

Croatia operates as a parliamentary republic, with a president serving as the head of state and a prime minister heading the government. The country has a unicameral parliament and observes universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Capital: Zagreb
Executive Leadership: President Zoran Milanović (since 2020), PM Andrej Plenković (since 2016).
Legislature: 151 seats in the Croatian Parliament.
Recent Election Date: April 2024.
Legal System: Based on civil law influenced by Austria-Hungarian heritage.
National Holiday: Statehood Day, 30 May.

Military and Security

The Croatian Armed Forces comprise an army, navy, and air force, responsible for national defense and international peacekeeping missions. Military expenditure remains consistent at around 1.8% of GDP.

Active-Duty Personnel: Approximately 14,000 (2024).
Military Service Age: 18-27 years for voluntary service.
Military Expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2024 est.).
International Missions: Personnel deployed in Kosovo and Lithuania.
NATO Membership: Since 2009.

Energy

Croatia's energy sector features a mix of generating capacities with an emphasis on renewable sources, particularly hydroelectric power. The country has achieved full electrification for its population.

Electricity Access: 100% (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 5.518 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 16.408 billion kWh (2023 est.).
Natural Gas Consumption: 2.689 billion cubic meters (2023 est.).
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 16.467 million metric tons (2023 est.).
Renewable Energy Share: 48.5% hydroelectric (of total capacity).

Environment

Croatia faces environmental challenges such as air and surface water pollution. It is committed to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Air Pollution Issues: Mainly in urban areas.
Total Renewable Water Resources: 105.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.).
Urban Population: 58.6% (2023).
Waste Recycling Rate: 16.3% of municipal solid waste (2015).
Geoparks: 3 designated areas (2024).

Transportation

Croatia has a well-developed transportation system featuring an extensive network of roads, railways, and ports.

Railways: 2,617 km total length (2020).
Airports: 45 (2025).
Merchant Marine: 384 vessels (2023).
Ports: Total of 16 active ports (2024).
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: 9A.

Communications

Croatia's communication infrastructure supports a high percentage of internet and mobile phone subscriptions, highlighting its connectivity.

Internet Users: 83% of the population (2023 est.).
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 4.56 million (2023 est.).
Fixed-Line Subscriptions: 1.203 million (2023 est.).
Broadband Subscriptions: 1.11 million (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,150,116	(2024 est.)
Area	56,594 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$164.825 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.3%	(2024 est.)
Birth Rate	8.5 births/1,000 population	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.7 years	(2024 est.)
Public Debt	75.6% of GDP	(2023 est.)
Electricity Access	100%	(2022 est.)
Military Expenditures	1.8% of GDP	(2024 est.)
Urban Population	58.6%	(2023)