Croatia shows high sports pride but low physical activity levels

Research indicates a significant gap between sports viewership and physical activity in Croatia. While the nation shows immense pride in its athletic achievements, many citizens do not participate in regular exercise.

According to Eurobarometer data, 43% of Croatian citizens over the age of 14 report that they never exercise. This figure is higher than the European Union average of 39%. Additionally, while 45% of the population aged 16 to 64 follows football through various media, interest is heavily gendered, with 58% of men following the sport compared to 29% of women.

Data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) highlights the country's high level of national pride regarding sports, with 67.2% of citizens feeling very proud of Croatian sporting successes. When including those who feel somewhat proud, the total reaches 91%, ranking Croatia second among 29 analyzed countries.