Croatia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Croatia's fertility indicators in 2024 show a slight decline in the total fertility gap and a minor increase in average maternal age, continuing long-term trends of moderate fertility and increasing childbearing age. The total births and total fertility remain essentially stable compared to 2023, reflecting a steady demographic profile amidst gradual changes.
- Completed fertility rate is stable at 67.8%, with the total fertility rate effectively unchanged at around 1.46 children per woman after adjusting for the fertility gap.
- Average maternal age increased slightly to 29.8 years, consistent with the ongoing trend of rising age at childbearing.
- The total fertility gap rose over five years to 29.5%, indicating realized fertility remains below replacement levels.
- About 32.2% of women remain childless by the end of their reproductive years, a proportion that has been slowly increasing but remains comparatively low in Europe.
In 2024, Croatia's fertility patterns remain stable yet reflect ongoing demographic challenges with a high total fertility gap and notable childlessness.
- Total fertility rate among highest in Europe (6th out of 30)
- Low total fertility gap within Europe (24th out of 30)
- Childlessness rate among lowest in Europe (25th out of 30)
- Mean maternal age near European midrange (16th out of 30)
- Future worker gap moderate within Europe (13th out of 29)
Key fertility indicators — Croatia
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 29.5% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 35 |
| Total births (latest year) | 32,069 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Croatia, completed fertility is 67.8% (2024). It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 69.1%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 69.1%), mothers are now having lower by about 1.3pp children on average.
Globally, Croatia has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 6/42). Within Europe, Croatia has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 6/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 73.6% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 67.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 67.4% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 67.8%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Croatia had an average of 2.13 children. This is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Over the past five years, CPM has been falling, averaging 2.16. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.16), today’s CPM is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Croatia ranks 25 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Croatia ranks 17 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.10 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.19 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.15 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.13* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Average maternal age (AMA)
Croatia’s mean age at childbearing is 29.8 in 2024. It has edged up slightly (+0.1 years). Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 29.5 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 29.5 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Croatia ranks 23 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Croatia ranks 16 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 27.47 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.01 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 29.66 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.80* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 29.5% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.46). There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 0.6pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 27.6% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (27.6%), today’s TFG is higher by about 1.9pp.
Globally, Croatia ranks 33 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Croatia has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 24/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 30.1% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.5%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Croatia’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 37.7%. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 33.7% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (33.7%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 4.0pp.
Globally, Croatia ranks 19 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Croatia ranks 13 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 33.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 38.2% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 37.7%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Croatia is 63.1 years. It moved sharply up from 2023 (up 1.8 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 68.3 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (68.3 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 5.2 years.
Globally, Croatia ranks 9 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Croatia has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 6/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Croatia, there would be 35 great-grandchildren, representing a -65.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Croatia ranks 10 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Croatia has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 7/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2087 - Births down 75% in 2150 - Births down 90% in 2234
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 32,069 in 2024 to 16,034 in 2087, and by 90% to 3,207 in 2234 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
32.2% of women in Croatia remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 30.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (30.9%), Croatia’s current TCR is higher by about 1.3pp.
Globally, Croatia has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 37/42). Within Europe, Croatia has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 25/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 32.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.6% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 32.2%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Total births
In 2024, Croatia recorded 32,069 total births. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 33,874 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (33,874), total births are now lower by 1,805 births (5.3% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 43.3k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 35.8k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.8k |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 32.1k* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Croatia’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 37.7%. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 33.7% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (33.7%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 4.0pp.
Globally, Croatia ranks 19 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Croatia ranks 13 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 33.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 38.2% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 37.7%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
