People and Society of Croatia

Nationality

Croat(s), Croatian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, Bosniak 0.5%, Hungarian 0.4%, Slovene 0.3%, Czech 0.2%, Roma 0.2%, Albanian 0.1%, Montenegrin 0.1%, others 4.1%

Population

3,862,305

Population in Major Urban Areas

ZAGREB (capital) 686,000

Health-care facilities in Croatia, although generally of Western caliber, are under severe budgetary strain. Some medicines are in short supply in public hospitals and clinics. There are numerous private medical and dental practitioners, and private pharmacies stock a variety of medicines not readily available through public health facilities. Tick-borne encephalitis, a disease preventable with a three-shot vaccination series, is found throughout inland Croatia, but is not prevalent along the coast.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Croatia stands at approximately 78 years overall, with notable differences between sexes. Women in Croatia can expect to live to around 81 years, while men have a life expectancy of roughly 75 years — a gap of about six years that reflects broader biological and behavioral patterns seen across much of Europe. These figures place Croatia broadly in line with the European Union average, reflecting the country's developed healthcare infrastructure, universal health coverage system, and relatively high standard of living. Croatia's public health system provides citizens with access to general practitioners, specialist care, and hospital services, contributing to improved health outcomes over recent decades. Life expectancy in Croatia has risen steadily since the 1990s, recovering from a period of disruption associated with the Croatian War of Independence. In the years since, improvements in cardiovascular care, cancer screening programs, and preventive medicine have played a significant role in extending average lifespans. It is worth noting that, as with much of Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary dip in life expectancy figures in the early 2020s, though numbers have since begun to recover. Despite these gains, Croatia faces ongoing public health challenges that temper further improvements. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, accounting for a substantial share of mortality. Rates of smoking and alcohol consumption are above the EU average, and obesity is an increasing concern among both adults and younger populations. These lifestyle factors contribute to chronic disease burden and place pressure on the healthcare system. Regional disparities also exist within the country. Urban centers such as Zagreb tend to have better access to specialized medical facilities and services compared to more rural or inland areas, which can influence health outcomes at the local level. Croatia's aging population presents an additional long-term consideration. With a total fertility rate well below the replacement level and ongoing emigration of working-age adults to other EU countries following accession in 2013, the proportion of elderly citizens is growing. This demographic shift will shape healthcare demands and social services for decades to come, even as overall life expectancy continues to gradually improve.

Infant Mortality Rate

Croatia maintains one of the lower infant mortality rates in the region, reflecting the country's well-developed public health infrastructure and accessible medical care system. As of the most recent available data, Croatia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 5 to 6 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places it favorably among European nations and well below the global average of roughly 28 deaths per 1,000 live births. This relatively low rate is the result of decades of investment in maternal and child healthcare services. Croatia operates a universal healthcare system that ensures expectant mothers have access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and postnatal support. The vast majority of births in Croatia take place in hospital settings under the supervision of trained medical professionals, which significantly reduces risks associated with complications during delivery. Over the past several decades, Croatia has made measurable progress in reducing infant mortality. In the early 1990s, the rate was considerably higher, hovering near 11 to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births. The steady decline since then reflects improvements in neonatal intensive care capabilities, vaccination programs, and public health education initiatives targeting new parents. Common causes of infant mortality in Croatia, as in other developed nations, include congenital anomalies, premature birth complications, and respiratory conditions. The country's national vaccination schedule is comprehensive and broadly adhered to, helping protect newborns and infants from preventable infectious diseases. Urban areas such as Zagreb benefit from highly specialized neonatal care units, while rural regions have seen improvements in access to regional medical centers. Croatia's membership in the European Union has also helped align its maternal and child health standards with broader European benchmarks and has facilitated access to EU health funding programs. Overall, Croatia's infant mortality statistics reflect a country that has successfully modernized its healthcare system and prioritized child health outcomes, making it a relatively safe environment for childbirth and early childhood by both regional and global standards.

Major Infectious Diseases

Intermediate

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Roman Catholic88.0%
• others and unknown6.0%
• Orthodox4.0%
• Protestant1.0%
• Muslim1.0%

Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German)

The Croatian language has thirty letters, each with a distinct sound.

• Croatian
• German
• Hungarian
• Slovak

Crime Information

While violent crime is rare, there have been isolated attacks targeting specific persons or property, which may have been racially motivated or prompted by lingering ethnic tensions from Croatia's war for independence. Foreigners do not appear to be singled out by criminals. We advise you to safeguard your belongings in public areas, especially in bus or railroad stations, airports, and gas stations, and on public transportation. As in many countries, outward displays of wealth may increase your chances of being targeted by thieves. We urge U.S. citizens to avoid going to so-called "gentlemen's clubs." A few such establishments have presented foreign customers with grossly inflated bar bills, sometimes in the thousands of dollars, and threatened those customers who refuse to pay. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Croatia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods, for example. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Croatia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.