Croatia's population falls amid low birth rate, rising mortality

Cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death in Croatia in 2024, followed by cancer, endocrine disorders and injuries and poisoning, according to the HZJZ Croatian Institute of Public Health annual health statistics report.

A total of 51,080 people died in Croatia that year, CE Report quotes HINA.

Heart and blood vessel diseases accounted for 20,341 deaths, with a mortality rate of 526.1 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Cancer was the second leading cause of death, claiming 13,434 lives (347.5 per 100,000), followed by endocrine disorders with 3,664 deaths (94.8 per 100,000). Injuries and poisoning ranked fourth, causing 2,651 deaths (68.6 per 100,000).

These four groups accounted for around three-quarters of all deaths.

According to population estimates, Croatia had 3.87 million inhabitants in mid-2024.

The report said demographic trends had for years been shaped by declining birth rates, rising mortality and negative migration patterns.

In 2024, 32,069 children were born, while 51,080 people died, leaving the natural population change at a negative rate of 4.9 per 1,000 inhabitants.

According to Eurostat data, life expectancy in Croatia in 2024 stood at 79.1 years for both sexes combined, with women expected to live 82 years and men 76.1 years.

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