Croatia records higher births and abortions, rising caesarean rates and falling child vaccination coverage

In 2024 Croatia recorded 32,936 births, an increase of 361 over the previous year but still 4,316 fewer than in 2015. The highest number of deliveries occurred at the Split Clinical Hospital (over 4,000) and Zagreb University Hospital (around 3,000). There were 474 twin births and two sets of triplets. About 35% of mothers were aged 30‑34 and 29% were 25‑29. Seven girls under 15 gave birth, and eight women over 50 did so.

Caesarean sections rose to 9,662, representing roughly 30% of all deliveries, up from 24.4% in 2018. The total number of abortions and pregnancy terminations reached 8,563, including 3,170 legally induced abortions – the highest count since 2012 and an increase of 342 from the prior year. The majority of induced abortions were performed in Zagreb (501), followed by Primorje‑Gorski Kotar, Istria and Zagreb County. Among women under 19, 206 had legally induced abortions, three of them under 15. Most women undergoing induced abortion were aged 30‑39, and two‑thirds already had one or more children.

Child immunisation rates continued to decline. Only the tuberculosis vaccine met the 95% coverage target. Coverage for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis fell as low as 58% in Dubrovnik‑Neretva, while Krapina‑Zagorje reached nearly 98%. Health experts warn that reduced vaccination could raise the risk of disease resurgence.