The number of deaths in Croatia continues to exceed the number of births
Despite long-term demographic challenges, the latest estimates from the Central Bureau of Statistics show that during 2023–2024, most Croatian cities recorded population growth. Among them, according to certain indicators, Velika Gorica stands out in terms of nominal growth, Novalja in terms of percentage growth, in the medium-term period from 2021–2024. Zadar has the highest absolute population growth, and Nin is the leader in terms of relative growth.
After years of consistently bad demographic news, the latest estimates suggest that the picture is starting to change for the better in some Croatian cities. However, while some cities are experiencing population growth, others are still experiencing population decline, indicating increasingly pronounced differences in demographic trends at the local level.
Last year, 3.866.233 people lived in Croatia.
According to official statistical estimates, the country had a population of 3.866.233 in mid-2024, an increase of 6.547 people or 0,2 percent compared to the previous year. Such a national shift is largely linked to international migration movements..
Namely, during 2024, 70.391 people immigrated to Croatia from abroad, while 38.997 people emigrated, resulting in a positive balance of migration with abroad of 31.394 people. Foreign citizens predominated among immigrants (81,1%), whose immigration was largely related to labor migration and temporary protection of displaced persons from Ukraine, while Croatians made up 18,9 percent of immigrants. At the same time, 51,7 percent of emigrants were Croatian citizens and 48,3 percent were foreigners. Within the country, 71.575 people changed their place of residence in 2024, with almost half of those who moved between the ages of 20 and 39. Most moves took place between counties (40,8%), while the rest of the migrations related to moves within the same county, city or municipality.
Natural growth remains negative
In addition to migration, Croatia's long-term demographic picture continues to be strongly marked by negative natural population growth. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of deaths in Croatia continues to exceed the number of births, which is why the natural increase remains negative despite a positive migration balance. At the same time, the population is continuing to age. Available demographic indicators indicate that Croatia is among the oldest countries in Europe, with the average age of the population approaching the mid-forties. Such an age structure further increases the pressure on natural population growth and limits the potential for growth without migration in the long term.
In this context, it is particularly important to look at demographic trends in cities, where changes in population are most clearly evident. In the period from 2023 to 2024, 69 out of a total of 128 Croatian cities saw an increase in population, 57 recorded a decrease, and one stagnated. The most pronounced growth, apart from the City of Zagreb (which is expectedly the first with more than 5.200 inhabitants compared to the previous year, but due to its size and administrative status we are looking at it separately and not including it in the top 10 table) is recorded by cities from the Zagreb ring, then coastal cities, especially those with developed tourism and the service sector, as well as individual regional centers.
Kaštela ranks fourth in terms of population growth
If we look at the nominal population growth between 2023 and 2024, large cities are in the lead, with a total of 32 Croatian cities gaining more than 100 new residents. According to the population estimate for 2024, the largest nominal growth was recorded in Velika Gorica (+1.207), followed by Zadar (+1.033), while in third place Porec (+774). At the top of the list are also Castle (+ 719), Dugo Selo (+ 536), Pula (+ 490), Holy Sunday (+461) and Solin (+428), while the Top 10 is closed by Vodice (+380) and Dubrovnik (+ 370).
When looking at percentage growth, the picture changes slightly. 30 cities achieved growth of over one percent, and the largest relative increase in population in the period 2023–2024 was recorded by Novalja (+5,78%), ahead Nina (+4,51%) and Poreč (+4,43%). It is followed by Vodice (+4,14%), Overcome (+ 3,97%), Pag (+3,52%), Dugo Selo (+2,88%), Biograd na moru (+2,56%), Sveta Nedelja (+2,39%) and Neck (+ 2,39%).
Looking at the medium-term trend from 2021 to 2024, 45 cities gained more than 100 inhabitants, 27 of them boasted more than 300, the largest nominal population growth was achieved by Zadar (+2.970), ahead of Velika Gorica (+2.766) and Kaštela (+1.824). Also at the top are Poreč (+1.655), Sveta Nedelja (+1.558), Dugo Selo (+1.487), Solin (+1.156), Pula (+1.137), Samobor (+1.101) and Rovinj (+ 946).
According to the percentage indicator for the period 2021–2024, 48 cities can boast over one percent population growth, with Nin (+17,38%) leading the way, followed by Novalja (+16,44%) and Vodice (+10,52%). The top ten in terms of relative growth also includes Poreč (+9,97%), Sveta Nedelja (+8,55%), Dugo Selo (+8,41%), FISH (+8,19%), Biograd na Moru (+8,05%), Supetar (+7,86%) and Rovinj (+7,34%).
Source: Mayor
Photo: PGK archive
