Population Growth Trends in Croatia from 1990 to 2023

Croatia's population trends have been shaped by significant political and economic upheavals. A steep decline in 1991-1992, with growth rates plummeting to -2.4%, coincides with the Croatian War of Independence, which caused large-scale emigration and casualties. Post-war recovery saw brief growth in 1993-1994, peaking at 1.1%, but subsequent years of economic hardship and emigration led to prolonged negative growth rates.

The decline deepened during the 2010s, averaging -0.7% annually, reflecting continued emigration and a low birth rate. The sharp drop to -4.3% in 2021 aligns with census adjustments and post-pandemic mortality. A gradual improvement to -0.1% in 2023 suggests stabilization efforts but highlights ongoing demographic challenges.