As many as 90 percent of Croatian citizens are concerned about rising prices, 85 percent consider peer violence a major social problem, 73 percent are concerned about war conflicts, and almost half of them believe that immigrants are a threat to Croatian culture and way of life, according to a survey by the Ipsos agency.
The cost of living continues to be the biggest burden for citizens, so more than 90 percent of them are worried about the rise in prices, while slightly more than 78 percent of them are worried about the decline in purchasing power.
A third of citizens are spending less than a year ago, and regardless of their personal situation, the decline in living standards is troubling as many as three-quarters of citizens, the research showed.
It also showed that a growing number of citizens are concerned about security and defense issues. Almost 73 percent of citizens are concerned about military conflicts in which Croatia could be directly involved. This is also why support for mandatory military service has grown significantly in just one year, with 71 percent of citizens now supporting it.
However, in the case of NATO intervention, half of the citizens are against Croatia getting involved in war conflicts.
The problem of peer violence
Citizens are also concerned about the increase in mental health problems and the harmful impact on society. There are even 73,5 percent of them. At the same time, 85,5 percent of them highlight peer violence as one of the biggest social challenges that need to be prevented, while 64,5 percent of citizens worry about the decline in personal safety due to the increase in violence.
Citizens are increasingly concerned about the increased surveillance carried out by state institutions, slightly more than 61 percent of them.
Almost 80 percent of respondents would not support reducing personal freedoms to make it easier for the state to ensure security, such as introducing control of communication applications, stricter control of financial transactions, etc.
Foreign workers
Attitudes towards foreign workers are also changing, with the number of those who do not want them in Croatia growing. Only one in five citizens supports their arrival, and almost 48 percent believe that immigrants pose a threat to Croatian culture and way of life.
The presence of an increasing number of foreigners in the community worries more than 60 percent of respondents.
Only 14 percent of citizens trust state institutions, and only 14,7 percent of citizens are satisfied with their work.
The media is least trusted.
At the same time, respondents trust the media the least, only 13 percent of them. Only every eighth respondent believes that state institutions work for the benefit of society, while every seventh thinks the same about the media.
Even non-governmental organizations, which are primarily focused on public activities, do not enjoy too much trust among citizens, so only 17,7 percent believe that they work for the benefit of society.
Citizens continue to expect government money to be directed to areas that directly affect their daily lives. The most important sectors they single out are healthcare (90 percent), education (70,7 percent), and the pension system (55,4 percent).
Respondents see demography as a priority in the Government's work, with lower labor taxation and housing subsidies for young families being highlighted as the most important measures.
Expectations for the future
Citizens are divided when it comes to their expectations for the future. A third of them think they will live better in the coming years, but an equal percentage think their quality of life will deteriorate.
Despite the negative assessment of the economic situation, which only 12,8 percent of citizens rate as excellent and very good, and the fear of rising prices and falling purchasing power, 43,1 percent of respondents believe that their personal financial situation is better than a few years ago, 40 percent of them rate their quality of life as better than before, while 34,7 percent see it as worse.
Citizens are most positive about their personal relationships, and most negative about the political situation, which only one in ten rates with an excellent or very good rating, while one in five give such a rating to the quality of the healthcare system.
The Ipsos survey for the Val group was conducted from October 25 to 30, 2025, using an online method on a sample of 600 respondents aged 18 to 65.
Photo: HINA/Mladen Volarić
