Croatia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Croatia's birth trends in 2024 show a slight increase in completed fertility with total mothers rising to 67.8%, alongside small rises in children per mother and average maternal age. However, the generational birthgap indicator marked a minor decline, reflecting a subtle reduction in fertility rates relative to the prior year. Childlessness remains low compared to global and European averages but has inched up by about 2 percentage points over the long term.
- Children per mother in 2024 is 2.15, stable and near long-term averages, ranking Croatia competitively worldwide and in Europe.
- Average maternal age continues to rise, now at 29.8 years, about 3.4 years older than in the 2000s, indicating delayed childbearing patterns.
- The birthgap generational indicator fell marginally to 29.5%, indicating a slight drop in the pace at which fertility levels replace generations.
- Lifetime childlessness rate is low at 32.2%, showing little annual change but a modest increase compared to early 2000s levels.
In 2024, Croatia's fertility and birth patterns show stability with slight shifts in key demographic indicators compared to recent years.
- TMR ranked 6th highest in Europe, near 2000s levels
- Children per mother steady at 2.15, ranking 16th in Europe
- Mean age at childbirth rising, now close to European average
- Among lowest childlessness rates in Europe, ranked 26th
- Strong longevity with SHL 6th highest in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Croatia
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 32.2% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.15 |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 29.5% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 35 |
| Total births (latest year) | 32,069 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in Croatia stands at 67.8% in 2024, showing minimal change from the 67.4% recorded in 2023. Over the past five years, the total motherhood rate (TMR) has been on the rise, averaging 69.1% between 2020 and 2024. This figure remains approximately 2.0 percentage points below the average seen in the 2000s, which was 69.8%. Croatia maintains a prominent position globally with one of the highest TMR levels, ranking 6th out of 38 countries.
Within Europe, it holds a similarly high rank of 6th among 31 countries.
| 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)
Croatia's children per mother (CPM) reached 2.15 in 2024, showing almost no change from the 2023 figure of 2.15. The metric has remained fairly steady over the last five years, with an average of 2.17 during that period. When compared to the average CPM in the 2000s, which was 2.12, current levels are close to this longer-term average. On the global stage, Croatia holds the 20th position out of 38 countries, while in Europe, it ranks 16th among 31 nations.
| 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 | 2.15* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in Croatia reached 29.8 years in 2024, marking a modest increase of 0.14 years from the previous year. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the average age during this period standing at 29.5 years. Compared to the 2000s average of 26.4 years, the current figure is 3.4 years higher. On the global stage, Croatia is placed 22nd among 38 countries, while within Europe, it holds the 17th position out of 31.
| 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.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) in 2024 stands at 29.5% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.46), showing a slight decrease of 0.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on a rising trend, averaging 27.6% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 28.6%, the current level is quite close to this longer-term benchmark. On the global stage, Croatia ranks 31st out of 38 countries, while in Europe, it holds one of the lower TFG standings, positioned 25th out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.5% |
| 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.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Croatia’s SHL stands at 63.1 years years in 2024. It has increased by 1.8 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 68.3 years. Compared with the 2000s average (59.2 years), SHL is now longer by about 3.9 years.
Globally, Croatia has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 7/38).Within Europe, it has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 6/31).
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 31 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 25/31).
Birth trajectory
The 2024 birth data projects a significant decline in total births over time, with numbers dropping from 32,069 in 2024 to 16,034 by 2087, representing a 50% decrease. Looking further ahead, births are expected to fall by 75% by 2150, and eventually see a 90% reduction, reaching 3,207 by 2234. These projections do not take migration into account.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Croatia's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 32.2%, showing a slight decrease from 32.6% in 2023. The rate has been declining over the last five years, with an average of 30.9% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 30.2%, this marks an increase of approximately 2 percentage points. When viewed globally, Croatia ranks among countries with the lowest levels of childlessness, standing 33rd out of 38. Similarly, within Europe, it is positioned near the lower end of the spectrum at 26th out of 31 countries.
| 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
Croatia saw a total of 32,069 births in 2024, showing only a slight increase from the 31,809 births recorded in 2023. The number of total births has been on a declining trend over the last five years, with an average of 33,874 births annually. When compared to the 2000s average of 41,685 births, there has been a significant decrease of 9,616 births, representing a 23.1% drop.
| 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.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, Croatia's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) stands at 37.7%, showing only a slight decrease from 38.2% in 2023. Over the past five years, the average BRI has been trending upward, averaging 33.7% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 35.6%, the current rate is approximately 2.2 percentage points higher.
Globally, this places Croatia 17th among 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 14th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
