Croatia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Croatia's fertility and childbearing patterns in 2024 show notable stability with slight shifts in key indicators. The total children per mother remains steady at 2.15, aligning closely with longer-term averages, while the mean age at childbirth edges up slightly to 29.8 years. Childlessness remains relatively low by European standards, though it has increased marginally compared to previous decades.
- Total fertility rate indicates a modest increase in completed fertility to 67.8%, maintaining Croatia's position among countries with relatively high fertility within Europe and globally.
- The birthgap generational indicator dropped slightly to 29.5%, reflecting one of the lower levels in Europe, suggesting generational replacement challenges.
- Total births rose marginally to 32,069, continuing a trend of stable birth numbers.
- Childlessness rose slightly to 32.2%, yet remains among the lowest rates in Europe, indicating sustained family formation despite broader demographic pressures.
In 2024, Croatia shows stable birth and fertility patterns with slightly rising mean age at childbearing and some of the highest total fertility rates in Europe.
- Total fertility rate ranks 6th highest in Europe
- Children per mother stable around 2.15, ranking 16th in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing increased to nearly 30 years, 17th in Europe
- Low lifetime childlessness rate, ranked 26th in Europe
- Strong birthrate ranking 14th in Europe despite recent declines
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)
The total motherhood prevalence rate (TMR) in Croatia stands at 0.678 in 2024, showing only a slight increase from the 0.674 recorded in 2023. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the TMR has been on an upward trend, averaging 0.6906. Despite this recent rise, the current level remains about 2.0 percentage points below the 2000s average of 0.698. Notably, Croatia ranks among the highest in motherhood prevalence worldwide, holding the 6th position out of 38 countries, and similarly ranks 6th within Europe 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) stood at 2.15 in 2024, showing almost no difference from the previous year’s 2.15. Over the recent five-year period, the CPM has remained fairly steady, averaging 2.17. This figure is near the level seen in the 2000s, which averaged 2.12, indicating little long-term change. On the world stage, Croatia ranks 20th among 38 countries, while within Europe, it holds the 16th position out of 31.
| 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)
In 2024, the average maternal age in Croatia reached 29.8 years, marking a slight increase of 0.1 years from the previous year. This figure has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with a five-year average of 29.5. Compared to the 2000s, the average maternal age has grown by 3.4 years. Internationally, Croatia holds the 22nd position among 38 countries in this metric, while in Europe, it ranks 17th out of 31 nations.
| 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) for 2024 stands at 29.5%, which translates to a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.46. This marks a slight decrease of 0.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has shown a rising trend, averaging 27.6% from 2020 to 2024. Comparing this to the 2000s average of 28.6%, values currently hover near this long-term mark. In a global context, Croatia ranks 31st out of 38 countries, while within Europe, it is among those with the lowest TFG figures, positioned at 25th out of 31 nations.
| 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
If birth rates continue along the trajectory observed in 2024, the number of total births is predicted to halve, dropping from 32,069 in 2024 to 16,034 by 2087. The decline would be even more dramatic over a longer span, with births potentially falling by 90% to just 3,207 by the year 2234, excluding any effects of migration.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Croatia stands at 32.2%, showing a slight decrease from 32.6% in 2023. Over the last five years, this rate has been on a downward trend, averaging 30.9% from 2020 to 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 30.2%, the current figure is approximately 2 percentage points higher. On the global stage, Croatia ranks 33rd out of 38 countries in terms of childlessness rates, placing it among the lower rates worldwide.
Within Europe, it also remains one of the countries with the lowest childlessness, ranked 26th out of 31.
| 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
Total births in Croatia reached 32,069 in 2024, showing only a slight increase from the 31,809 recorded in 2023. The trend over the last five years has been a decline, with an average of 33,874 births annually during that period. When looking back to the 2000s, the average was significantly higher at 41,685 births per year, meaning recent totals are down by 9,616 births, a 23.1% reduction.
| 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)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Croatia stands at 37.7% in 2024, showing minimal change from the 38.2% recorded in 2023. Over the past five years, the BRI has experienced an upward trend, averaging 33.7% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 2000s average of 35.6%, the current BRI is higher by approximately 2.2 percentage points. On the global stage, Croatia holds the 17th position 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.
