Croatia reports rising birth rates amid regional population declines

Croatia is experiencing contrasting demographic trends at the national and regional levels. According to the Ministry of Demography and Migration, 1,055 more children have been born in the first part of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Minister Ivan Šipić described this as an encouraging sign for family-oriented policies, though he cautioned that a single indicator does not confirm a long-term demographic reversal.

In contrast, regional data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics shows significant population decline in certain areas. The Koprivnica-Križevci County has lost over 2,500 residents between 2021 and 2025, representing a 2.5 percent decrease. While Croatia's total population saw a slight increase of 0.2 percent to 3,874,993 by mid-2025—partially driven by foreign workers—this growth is unevenly distributed. While cities like Zagreb and several coastal counties reported growth, many other regions continue to face steady population loss.