Croatia - HR - HRV - CRO - Europe

Last updated: January 02, 2025
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  • Radnicki Dom (Workers' Hall), formerly the Grand Hotel, is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Vukovar, Croatia. From its opening in 1897 until its wartime destruction in 1991, it was the town's social and cultural center. The reconstruction of the exterior, roof, and basement took two years (2011-2013) and cost €1.64 million.

    Radnicki Dom (Workers' Hall), formerly the Grand Hotel, is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Vukovar, Croatia. From its opening in 1897 until its wartime destruction in 1991, it was the town's social and cultural center. The reconstruction of the exterior, roof, and basement took two years (2011-2013) and cost €1.64 million.

  • Close up of waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is the largest and most popular of the eight national parks in Croatia and consists of 16 lakes that are linked but separated by natural dams.

    Close up of waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is the largest and most popular of the eight national parks in Croatia and consists of 16 lakes that are linked but separated by natural dams.

  • A view in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, looking down into the gorge where the largest waterfalls in the park are located.

    A view in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, looking down into the gorge where the largest waterfalls in the park are located.

  • Statue of King Tomislav in his eponymous square in Zagreb, Croatia. Tomislav reigned from 910 to 928, first as the Duke of Dalmatia and then as the first King of Croatia.

    Statue of King Tomislav in his eponymous square in Zagreb, Croatia. Tomislav reigned from 910 to 928, first as the Duke of Dalmatia and then as the first King of Croatia.

  • The beautiful port city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea. During the Middle Ages, this maritime city-state (then called Ragusa) rivaled Venice for supremacy in the Adriatic.

    The beautiful port city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea. During the Middle Ages, this maritime city-state (then called Ragusa) rivaled Venice for supremacy in the Adriatic.

  • A cathedral within the city walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    A cathedral within the city walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

  • The harbor in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from outside the city.

    The harbor in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from outside the city.

  • The inner harbor of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    The inner harbor of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

  • From a cliff overview, one can see the enormous walls and large harbor of old Dubrovnik in Croatia.

    From a cliff overview, one can see the enormous walls and large harbor of old Dubrovnik in Croatia.

  • Stradun, the main street of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

    Stradun, the main street of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

  • Outside the walls of historic Trogir, Croatia. The town's 2,300 years of continuous urban tradition (Greek, Roman, Venetian, Habsburg) have left a unique concentration of palaces, churches, towers, and fortifications.

    Outside the walls of historic Trogir, Croatia. The town's 2,300 years of continuous urban tradition (Greek, Roman, Venetian, Habsburg) have left a unique concentration of palaces, churches, towers, and fortifications.

  • The Palace of the Slavonian General Command in Osijek, Croatia, was constructed between 1724 and 1726 in a blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. In addition to serving as the General Command headquarters, the palace was also the administrative seat for the Kingdom of Slavonia, and it is now the office for the University of Osijek's rector and is featured on the reverse of the Croatian 200-kuna banknote.

    The Palace of the Slavonian General Command in Osijek, Croatia, was constructed between 1724 and 1726 in a blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. In addition to serving as the General Command headquarters, the palace was also the administrative seat for the Kingdom of Slavonia, and it is now the office for the University of Osijek's rector and is featured on the reverse of the Croatian 200-kuna banknote.

  • Osijek, the largest city and economic capital of eastern Croatia, lies on the the Drava River. Its Old Town, referred to as Tvrda (Citadel), includes a Habsburg-era fortress and has some of the best-preserved Baroque architecture in the country. The former Guardhouse, built in 1729, now hosts the Archaeological Museum.

    Osijek, the largest city and economic capital of eastern Croatia, lies on the the Drava River. Its Old Town, referred to as Tvrda (Citadel), includes a Habsburg-era fortress and has some of the best-preserved Baroque architecture in the country. The former Guardhouse, built in 1729, now hosts the Archaeological Museum.

  • Osijek, the largest city and economic capital of eastern Croatia, lies on the the Drava River. Its Old Town, referred to as Tvrda (Citadel), includes a Habsburg-era fortress and has some of the best-preserved Baroque architecture in the country. The Holy Trinity column on the fort's main square dates to 1730 and was erected in thanksgiving for the end of a plague.

    Osijek, the largest city and economic capital of eastern Croatia, lies on the the Drava River. Its Old Town, referred to as Tvrda (Citadel), includes a Habsburg-era fortress and has some of the best-preserved Baroque architecture in the country. The Holy Trinity column on the fort's main square dates to 1730 and was erected in thanksgiving for the end of a plague.

  • Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

    Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

  • VVukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

    VVukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

  • Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

    Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

  • Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

    Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.

  • Radnicki Dom (Workers' Hall), formerly the Grand Hotel, is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Vukovar, Croatia. From its opening in 1897 until its wartime destruction in 1991, it was the town's social and cultural center. The reconstruction of the exterior, roof, and basement took two years (2011-2013) and cost €1.64 million.

    Radnicki Dom (Workers' Hall), formerly the Grand Hotel, is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Vukovar, Croatia. From its opening in 1897 until its wartime destruction in 1991, it was the town's social and cultural center. The reconstruction of the exterior, roof, and basement took two years (2011-2013) and cost €1.64 million.

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  • This view features the Dalmatian coastline of Croatia around the city of Split. Much of the region is characterized by the northwest-southeast-oriented islands and bays of the Adriatic Sea. This distinctive coastal geomorphology is the result of faulting caused by tectonic activity in the region. Photo courtesy of NASA.
  • Close up of waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is the largest and most popular of the eight national parks in Croatia and consists of 16 lakes that are linked but separated by natural dams.
  • A view in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, looking down into the gorge where the largest waterfalls in the park are located.
  • Statue of King Tomislav in his eponymous square in Zagreb, Croatia. Tomislav reigned from 910 to 928, first as the Duke of Dalmatia and then as the first King of Croatia.
  • The beautiful port city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea. During the Middle Ages, this maritime city-state (then called Ragusa) rivaled Venice for supremacy in the Adriatic.
  • A cathedral within the city walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
  • The harbor in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from outside the city.
  • The inner harbor of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
  • From a cliff overview, one can see the enormous walls and large harbor of old Dubrovnik in Croatia.
  • Stradun, the main street of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
  • Outside the walls of historic Trogir, Croatia. The town's 2,300 years of continuous urban tradition (Greek, Roman, Venetian, Habsburg) have left a unique concentration of palaces, churches, towers, and fortifications.
  • The Palace of the Slavonian General Command in Osijek, Croatia, was constructed between 1724 and 1726 in a blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. In addition to serving as the General Command headquarters, the palace was also the administrative seat for the Kingdom of Slavonia, and it is now the office for the University of Osijek's rector and is featured on the reverse of the Croatian 200-kuna banknote.
  • Osijek, the largest city and economic capital of eastern Croatia, lies on the the Drava River. Its Old Town, referred to as Tvrda (Citadel), includes a Habsburg-era fortress and has some of the best-preserved Baroque architecture in the country. The former Guardhouse, built in 1729, now hosts the Archaeological Museum.
  • Osijek, the largest city and economic capital of eastern Croatia, lies on the the Drava River. Its Old Town, referred to as Tvrda (Citadel), includes a Habsburg-era fortress and has some of the best-preserved Baroque architecture in the country. The Holy Trinity column on the fort's main square dates to 1730 and was erected in thanksgiving for the end of a plague.
  • Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.
  • VVukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.
  • Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.
  • Vukovar, on the confluence of the Vuka and Danube Rivers, is Croatia's largest river port. Yugoslav forces and Serbian militias almost completely destroyed the city during an 87-day siege in 1991, after Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. The city has been largely rebuilt, but certain buildings remain unrepaired as reminders of the fighting. The city's population today is only about 60% of its pre-war total.
  • Radnicki Dom (Workers' Hall), formerly the Grand Hotel, is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Vukovar, Croatia. From its opening in 1897 until its wartime destruction in 1991, it was the town's social and cultural center. The reconstruction of the exterior, roof, and basement took two years (2011-2013) and cost €1.64 million.

Croatia Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Nathalie RAYES (since 25 January 2024)

embassy: Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb

mailing address: 5080 Zagreb Place, Washington DC  20521-5080

telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200

FAX: [385] (1) 665-8933

email address and website:
ZagrebACS@state.gov

https://hr.usembassy.gov/

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.8% (male 296,527/female 278,236)

15-64 years: 63.1% (male 1,307,814/female 1,309,394)

65 years and over: 23.1% (2024 est.) (male 399,090/female 559,055)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Croatia. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

45 10 N, 15 30 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Heliports

4 (2024)

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than West Virginia
Area comparison map

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2008 but slated to be reinstated in January 2025 (2024)

note: as of 2024, women comprised about 14% of the military's full-time personnel

Background

The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics, including Croatia, under the strong hand of Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before Yugoslav forces were cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in 2009 and the EU in 2013. In January 2023, Croatia further integrated into the EU by joining the Eurozone and the Schengen Area.

Environment - current issues

air pollution improving but still a concern in urban settings and in emissions arriving from neighboring countries; surface water pollution in the Danube River Basin

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Population below poverty line

18% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.1% (2021 est.)

highest 10%: 22.3% (2021 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, electricity, natural gas, garments, wood (2022)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Italy 13%, Slovenia 11%, Germany 11%, Hungary 10%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 9% (2022)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular) with special county status; Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska (Bjelovar-Bilogora), Brodsko-Posavska (Brod-Posavina), Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria), Karlovacka (Karlovac), Koprivnicko-Krizevacka (Koprivnica-Krizevci), Krapinsko-Zagorska (Krapina-Zagorje), Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska (Medimurje), Osjecko-Baranjska (Osijek-Baranja), Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska (Primorje-Gorski Kotar), Sibensko-Kninska (Sibenik-Knin), Sisacko-Moslavacka (Sisak-Moslavina), Splitsko-Dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska (Varazdin), Viroviticko-Podravska (Virovitica-Podravina), Vukovarsko-Srijemska (Vukovar-Syrmia), Zadarska (Zadar), Zagreb*, Zagrebacka (Zagreb county)

Agricultural products

maize, wheat, maize, sugar beets, milk, barley, soybeans, sunflower seeds, grapes, pork (2022)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH): Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM; includes Coast Guard), Air Force (Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo, HRZ) (2024)

note: the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for internal security, including law enforcement (Croatia Police) and border security

Budget

revenues: $3.678 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $3.662 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Capital

name: Zagreb

geographic coordinates: 45 48 N, 16 00 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the name seems to be related to "digging"; archeologists suggest that the original settlement was established beyond a water-filled hole or graba and that the name derives from this; za in Slavic means "beyond"; the overall meaning may be "beyond the trench (fault, channel, ditch)"

Imports - commodities

natural gas, refined petroleum, electricity, garments, cars (2022)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast

Coastline

5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km)

Constitution

history: several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1990

amendments: proposed by at least one fifth of the Assembly membership, by the president of the republic, by the Government of Croatia, or through petition by at least 10% of the total electorate; proceedings to amend require majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; passage by petition requires a majority vote in a referendum and promulgation by the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2014

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)

note: Croatia used the kuna prior to conversion to the euro on 1 January 2023. During the transition period the exchange rate was fixed at 7.53450 kuna to 1 euro.

Executive branch

chief of state: President Zoran MILANOVIC (since 18 February 2020)

head of government: Prime Minister Andrej PLENKOVIC (since 19 October 2016)

cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the Assembly

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 December 2019 with a runoff on 5 January 2020 (next to be held in 2024); the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president and approved by the Assembly

election results:
2019: Zoran MILANOVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Zoran MILANOVIC (SDP) 52.7%, Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC (HDZ) 47.3%

2015: Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC (HDZ) 50.7%, Ivo JOSIPOVIC (Forward Croatia Progressive Alliance) 49.3%

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue - the Pan-Slav colors - superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms; the coat of arms consists of one main shield (a checkerboard of 13 red and 12 silver (white) fields) surmounted by five smaller shields that form a crown over the main shield; the five small shields represent five historic regions (from left to right): Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia

note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia

Illicit drugs

drug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of large quantities of cocaine destined for European markets

 

Independence

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia); note - 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia; notable earlier dates: ca. 925 (Kingdom of Croatia established); 1 December 1918 (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia) established)

Industries

chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the court president and vice president, 25 civil department justices, and 16 criminal department justices)

judge selection and term of office: president of Supreme Court nominated by the president of Croatia and elected by the Sabor for a 4-year term; other Supreme Court justices appointed by the National Judicial Council; all judges serve until age 70

subordinate courts: Administrative Court; county, municipal, and specialized courts; note - there is an 11-member Constitutional Court with jurisdiction limited to constitutional issues but is outside of the judicial system

Land boundaries

total: 2,237 km

border countries (5): Bosnia and Herzegovina 956 km; Hungary 348 km; Montenegro 19 km; Serbia 314 km; Slovenia 600 km

Land use

agricultural land: 23.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 16% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 34.4% (2018 est.)

other: 41.9% (2018 est.)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by legal heritage of Austria-Hungary; note - Croatian law was fully harmonized with the European Community acquis as of the June 2010 completion of EU accession negotiations

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Assembly or Hrvatski Sabor (151 seats; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last election held on 17 April 2024 (next to be held by April 2028)

election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - HDZ-led coalition 40.4%, SDP 27.8%, DP 9.3%, MOST 7.3%, We Can! 6.6%, SDSS 2.0%, Independents 1.3%, NPS 1.3%, IDS 1.3%, Bosniaks Together 0.7%, DZMH 0.7%, Focus 0.7%, SRRH 0.7%; seats by party/coalition - HDZ-led coalition 61, SDP 42, DP 14, MOST 11, We Can! 10, SDSS 3, Independents 2, NPS 2, IDS 2, Bosniaks Together 1, DZMH 1, Focus 1, SRRH 1; composition - men 101, women 50, percent of women 33%

note: of the 151 seats, 140 members come from 10 multi-seat constituencies, with 3 members in a constituency for Croatian diaspora; voters belonging to recognized minorities elect an additional 8 members from a nationwide constituency: the Serb minority elects 3 members, the Hungarian and Italian minorities elect 1 each, the Czech and Slovak minorities elect 1 jointly, and all other minorities elect 2

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.2% (2021)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

International organization participation

AIIB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EMU, EU, FAO, G-11, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

National holiday

Statehood Day (National Day), 30 May (1990); note - marks the day in 1990 that the first modern multi-party Croatian parliament convened

Nationality

noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s)

adjective: Croatian

note: the French designation of "Croate" to Croatian mercenaries in the 17th century eventually became "Cravate" and later came to be applied to the soldiers' scarves - the cravat; Croatia celebrates Cravat Day every 18 October

Natural resources

oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower

Geography - note

controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia -- some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks

Economic overview

tourism-based economy that was one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 economic disruptions; newest euro user since 2023, helping recover from a 6-year recession; public debt increases due to COVID-19 and stimulus packages; weak exports; continuing emigration; new liquefied natural gas import terminal

Pipelines

2,410 km gas, 610 km oil (2011)

Political parties

Bosniaks Together
The Bridge or MOST (formerly the Bridge of Independent Lists)
Croatia Romani Union Kali Sara (SRRH)
Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ
Democratic Union of Hungarians in Croatia (DZMH)
Focus or Fokus
Homeland Movement or DP (also known as Miroslav Škoro Homeland Movement or DPMS)
Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS 
Independent Platform of the North (NPS)
Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS
Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP
We Can! or Mozemo! 

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: the mobile market is served by three MNOs, supplemented by a number of MVNOs; the network operators have focused on improving ARPU by encouraging prepaid subscribers to migrate to postpaid plans, and on developing revenue from mobile data services; 5G services are widely available, though the sector will only show its full potential later in 2021 following the award of licenses in several bands; this will contribute towards the government’s national broadband plan to 2027, which is tied to the EC’s two allied projects aimed at providing gigabit connectivity by the end of 2025; the broadband sector benefits from effective competition between the DSL and cable platforms, while there are also numerous fiber deployments in urban areas; the number of FttP subscribers broached 134,000 in March 2021. (2021)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity 31 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions are 108 per 100 (2021)

international: country code - 385;  the ADRIA-1 submarine cable provides connectivity to Albania and Greece; digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic project, which consists of 2 fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik (2019)

Terrain

geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands

Government type

parliamentary republic

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Croatia

conventional short form: Croatia

local long form: Republika Hrvatska

local short form: Hrvatska

former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia

etymology: name derives from the Croats, a Slavic tribe who migrated to the Balkans in the 7th century A.D.

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia

Map references

Europe

Irrigated land

171 sq km (2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Pjer ŠIMUNOVIĆ (since 8 September 2017)

chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899

FAX: [1] (202) 588-8937

email address and website:
washington@mvep.hr

https://mvep.gov.hr/embassy-114969/114969

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle (WA)

consulate(s): Anchorage (AL), Houston, Kansas City (MO),Minneapolis/St. Paul (MN), New Orleans, Pittsburgh (PA)

Internet country code

.hr

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 24,525 (Ukraine) (as of 29 February 2024)

stateless persons: 2,889 (2022)

note: 843,010 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-September 2023)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$82.689 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: BBB- (2019)

Moody's rating: Ba1 (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2019)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Total renewable water resources

105.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years

male: 14 years

female: 16 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 58.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

the national state-owned public broadcaster, Croatian Radiotelevision, operates 4 terrestrial TV networks, a satellite channel that rebroadcasts programs for Croatians living abroad, and 6 regional TV centers; 2 private broadcasters operate national terrestrial networks; 29 privately owned regional TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; state-owned public broadcaster operates 4 national radio networks and 23 regional radio stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks and 117 local radio stations (2019)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Lijepa nasa domovino" (Our Beautiful Homeland)

lyrics/music: Antun MIHANOVIC/Josip RUNJANIN

note: adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; "Lijepa nasa domovino," whose lyrics were written in 1835, served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Croatia. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

684,000 ZAGREB (capital) (2023)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physician density

3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Hospital bed density

5.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)

National symbol(s)

red-white checkerboard; national colors: red, white, blue

Mother's mean age at first birth

29 years (2020 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 58% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 21.1% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 19.4% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 2.6% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 54% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -55.9% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 56.5

youth dependency ratio: 22.1

elderly dependency ratio: 34.4

potential support ratio: 2.9 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Croatia

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Population distribution

more of the population lives in the northern half of the country, with approximately a quarter of the populace residing in and around the capital of Zagreb; many of the islands are sparsely populated

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 18

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,093,577 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 530,000 (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9A

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 99.5% of population

rural: 98.4% of population

total: 99% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population

rural: 1.6% of population

total: 1% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Croat 91.6%, Serb 3.2%, other 3.9% (including Bosniak, Romani, Albanian, Italian, and Hungarian), unspecified 1.3% (2021 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 79%, Orthodox 3.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other Christian 4.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other 1.1%, agnostic 1.7%, none or atheist 4.7%, unspecified 3.9% (2021 est.)

Languages

Croatian (official) 95.2%, Serbian 1.2%, other 3.1% (including Bosnian, Romani, Albanian, and Italian) unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, nužan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Croatian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Croatian audio sample

Imports - partners

Italy 14%, Germany 12%, Slovenia 11%, Hungary 7%, US 7% (2022)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Elevation

highest point: Dinara 1,831 m

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 331 m

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

7.8% of GDP (2020)

Military - note

the Armed Forces of Croatia (OSRH) are responsible for the defense of Croatia’s sovereignty and territory, contributing to international humanitarian, peacekeeping, and security missions, and providing assistance to civil authorities for such missions as responding to disasters, search and rescue, anti-terrorism, and internal security in times of crisis if called upon by the prime minister or the president; Croatia joined NATO in 2009, and the OSRH participates in NATO missions, including its peacekeeping force in Kosovo and the Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Eastern Europe; it also contributes to EU and UN missions; the OSRH trains regularly with NATO and regional partners  

the OSRH was established in 1991 from the Croatian National Guard during the Croatian War of Independence (1991-95); during the war, the ground forces grew to as many as 60 brigades and dozens of independent battalions, and a single military offensive against Serbian forces in 1995 included some 100,000 Croatian troops; in 2000, Croatia initiated an effort to modernize and reform the OSRH into a small, professional military capable of meeting the challenges of NATO membership (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 14,000 active-duty personnel (10,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 1,500 Air force; 1,000 joint/other) (2024)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era (largely from the former Yugoslavia) equipment and a growing amount of more modern, NATO-compatible weapon systems from suppliers such as France, Germany, Turkey, and the US (2024)

Military deployments

150 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO); 175 Lithuania (NATO; Croatia also has a few hundred personnel participating in several other EU, NATO, and UN missions (2024)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 460 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 700 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 80 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.654 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 269,933 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.3% (2015 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 19.3% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 7.7% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 15.29 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 17.49 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 3.98 megatons (2020 est.)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 10 (8 cultural, 2 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Plitvice Lakes National Park (n); Historic Split (c); Old City of Dubrovnik (c); Euphrasian Basilica; Historic Trogir (c); Šibenik Cathedral (c); Stari Grad Plain (c); Zadar and Fort St. Nikola Venetian Defense Works (c); Primeval Beech Forests (n); Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (c)

Coal

consumption: 702,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

exports: 1,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

imports: 702,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 36.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind: 16.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity: 38.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

geothermal: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

biomass and waste: 7.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Natural gas

production: 741.456 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

consumption: 2.502 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

exports: 1.038 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

imports: 3.006 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves: 24.919 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 70,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 71 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.71 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

50.8% (2023 est.)

Remittances

6.89% of GDP (2023 est.)
7.51% of GDP (2022 est.)
7.23% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 3 (2024)

global geoparks and regional networks: Biokovo-Imotski Lakes; Papuk; Vis Archipelago (2024)

Ports

total ports: 16 (2024)

large: 2

medium: 0

small: 6

very small: 8

ports with oil terminals: 8

key ports: Bakar, Dubrovnik, Omisalj, Rijeka Luka, Rovinj, Sibenik, Split, Zadar

Labor force

1.744 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 19.2% (2023 est.)

male: 17.3% (2023 est.)

female: 22.3% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 45.1 years (2024 est.)

male: 43.2 years

female: 47 years

Maternal mortality ratio

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.176 billion (2023 est.)
$29.726 billion (2022 est.)
$28.309 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Waterways

4,714 km (2022) Danube 2,859 km, Sava 562 km, Drava 505 km, Neretva 20 km, Bosut 151 km, Kupa 296 km, Mura 53 km, Korana 134 km, Lonja 134 km

Public debt

82.08% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Total fertility rate

1.46 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Military expenditures

1.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2023)
1.8% of GDP (2022)
2% of GDP (2021)
1.7% of GDP (2020)

Unemployment rate

6.06% (2023 est.)
6.96% (2022 est.)
7.61% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

total: 4,150,116

male: 2,003,431

female: 2,146,685 (2024 est.)

Internet users

total: 3.321 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 81% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

15.944 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.563 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 9.474 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 4.907 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Area

total : 56,594 sq km

land: 55,974 sq km

water: 620 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

21.41% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$159.305 billion (2023 est.)
$154.574 billion (2022 est.)
$144.425 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Roadways

total: 26,958 km (2022)

Airports

40 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 4.48 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2022 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

28.9 (2021 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.94% (2023 est.)
10.78% (2022 est.)
2.55% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

$956.968 million (2023 est.)
-$2.336 billion (2022 est.)
$651.685 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$41,300 (2023 est.)
$40,100 (2022 est.)
$37,200 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 1,030,973 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 36.9% (2020 est.)

male: 37.6% (2020 est.)

female: 36.1% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.4% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

78.371 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Death rate

13.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

8.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 5.417 million kW (2022 est.)

consumption: 17.111 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports: 7.226 billion kWh (2022 est.)

imports: 11.92 billion kWh (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 1.729 billion kWh (2022 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 384 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 10, general cargo 32, oil tanker 14, other 328

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Imports

$46.571 billion (2023 est.)
$46.664 billion (2022 est.)
$36.256 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$44.969 billion (2023 est.)
$41.903 billion (2022 est.)
$34.367 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1.235 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2022 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 9.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 4.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 3.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 74.6 years

female: 81 years

Real GDP growth rate

3.06% (2023 est.)
7.03% (2022 est.)
13.04% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

-0.47% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Railways

total: 2,617 km (2020) 980 km electrified

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 3% (2023 est.)

industry: 18.8% (2023 est.)

services: 61.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0.26% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.46% (2024 est.)
Sources: