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Croatia

Europe · Zagreb · parliamentary republic

What Croatia means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.

Map showing the location of Croatia

$949M

U.S. imports, 2025

-5%

change in one year

$746M

U.S. exports, 2025

4M

Population

$92.5B

GDP

In your house

What you buy that Croatia makes

America bought $949M in goods from Croatia in 2025. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.

Pharmaceutical preparations

medicines and pharmacy items

$339M35.7%

Generators, accessories

$128M13.5%

Bakery products

$105M11.1%

Toys, games, and sporting goods

toys, games, sporting goods

$101M10.6%

Wood, glass, plastic

$41M4.3%

Electric apparatus

$22M2.4%

U.s. goods returned, and reimports

$16M1.7%

Footwear

shoes and sneakers

$13M1.4%

Industrial engines

$13M1.4%

Other foods

$10M1.1%

2026 so far (through April): $352M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).

The other direction

What America sells to Croatia

$746M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.

Gas-natural

$396M

Metallurgical grade coal

$98M

Minimum value shipments

$18M

Plastic materials

$17M

plastics for packaging and goods

Pharmaceutical preparations

$12M

medicines and pharmacy items

Nuts

$12M

Medicinal equipment

$12M

medical devices and equipment

Electric apparatus

$12M

Chemicals-other

$10M

Where you stand

U.S. tariff posture toward Croatia

Since February 24, 2026 most EU goods face the universal 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge, which replaced the framework's 15% all-inclusive IEEPA structure when EO 14389 terminated the reciprocal tariffs. The framework's Section 232 terms persist: EU autos at 15%, and the April 2026 metals expansion expressly preserved the EU's trade-agreement-partner treatment (steel and aluminum otherwise at 50%).

The United States negotiates tariffs with the European Union as a single market — every measure here applies to Croatia as an EU member.

Reciprocal tariff (assigned — terminated)

20%

The rate this country was assigned under the EO 14257 reciprocal Annex — no longer in force. The Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs and they were terminated February 24, 2026 (EO 14389), replaced by a universal ~10% Section 122 surcharge. See the timeline below for the current effective rate.

Section 232 sectors

Autos, Wood

Steel, aluminum, autos, and similar national-security tariffs that name this country.

Policy in motion

Tariff status: a moving target

U.S. tariff policy toward the European Union — and with it Croatia — has changed 11 times since 2025. This page tracks it.

  1. 2026-04-06

    EU treatment preserved in expanded metals tariffs

    In effect

    The April 2026 proclamation expanding Section 232 coverage of aluminum, steel, and copper derivatives expressly does not alter or supersede the prior U.S.–EU agreement implementation, and lists the EU among 'Trade Agreement Partners' eligible for its exclusion process.

    91 FR 18201
  2. 2026-02-24

    IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122

    In effect

    Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including those under EO 14257, the basis of the EU's 15% all-inclusive structure — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them. The framework's Section 232 terms (the 15% EU autos cap, metals carve-outs) rest on separate authority and were expressly unaffected.

    91 FR 9437
  3. 2025-09-25

    Framework implemented: preferential treatment for certain EU goods

    In effect

    Acting under the September 8, 2025 procedures order, Commerce and USTR modified the HTSUS to implement the framework — preferential (zero) reciprocal treatment for certain EU goods and a reduction of the Section 232 automobile and parts duty to 15% for EU-origin vehicles.

    90 FR 46136
  4. 2025-08-21

    U.S.–EU Framework Agreement joint statement

    Agreement

    The United States and the European Union issued the Joint Statement on a Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade: the U.S. committed to the 15% all-inclusive ceiling, zero reciprocal duty on certain products, and a cut of the Section 232 automobile duty to 15%; the EU committed to eliminate tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and expand agricultural access, plus $750B in U.S. energy procurement through 2028.

    Source
  5. 2025-08-07

    15% all-inclusive structure replaces the 20% rate

    In effect

    The July 31, 2025 order ('Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates') gave the EU a unique structure effective August 7, 2025: for goods with an MFN (Column 1) rate below 15%, the reciprocal duty tops the total up to exactly 15%; goods with an MFN rate of 15% or higher pay no additional reciprocal duty.

    Federal Register · 2025-15010
  6. 2025-07-09

    Reciprocal-rate pause extended to August 1

    In effect

    The July 7, 2025 order extended the suspension of country-specific reciprocal rates through August 1, 2025, keeping the EU at the 10% baseline while framework talks continued.

    90 FR 30823
  7. 2025-06-04

    Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%

    In effect

    The June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% effective June 4, 2025, with no EU carve-out.

    90 FR 24199
  8. 2025-04-10

    90-day pause suspends the 20% rate back to 10%

    In effect

    The April 9, 2025 modification order suspended country-specific reciprocal rates for 90 days for all partners except China, returning the EU to the 10% universal baseline effective April 10, 2025 while negotiations proceeded.

    90 FR 15625
  9. 2025-04-09

    EU country-specific reciprocal rate of 20% takes effect

    In effect

    Annex I of Executive Order 14257 assigned the European Union a 20% country-specific reciprocal rate, effective April 9, 2025 — the rate still carried for the EU in the HTS Chapter 99 Subchapter III note.

    Federal Register · 2025-06063
  10. 2025-04-05

    Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect

    In effect

    Executive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, including the EU, effective April 5, 2025. The order singled out the EU's 5% average MFN rate and 10% passenger-vehicle tariff as examples of non-reciprocal treatment.

    Federal Register · 2025-06063
  11. 2025-03-12

    Section 232 steel and aluminum arrangements terminated — 25% duties on EU metals

    In effect

    Proclamations of February 10, 2025 ended the EU's tariff-rate-quota arrangements for steel and aluminum and raised the aluminum duty from 10% to 25%, applying 25% Section 232 duties to EU steel and aluminum effective March 12, 2025.

    90 FR 9817

Reference

The country itself

Europe · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics, including Croatia, under the strong hand of Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before Yugoslav forces were cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in 2009 and the EU in 2013. In January 2023, Croatia further integrated into the EU by joining the Eurozone and the Schengen Area.

Regional map of Croatia

Geography

Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Area
56,594 sq km
Climate
Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Terrain
geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands
Natural resources
oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower
Coastline
5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km; islands 4,058 km)
Natural hazards
destructive earthquakes

People & society

Population
4,071,208 (2025 est.)
Nationality
Croat(s), Croatian(s)
Ethnic groups
Croat 91.6%, Serb 3.2%, other 3.9% (including Bosniak, Romani, Albanian, Italian, and Hungarian), unspecified 1.3% (2021 est.)
Languages
Croatian (official) 95.2%, Serbian 1.2%, other 3.1% (including Bosnian, Romani, Albanian, and Italian) unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 79%, Orthodox 3.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other Christian 4.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other 1.1%, agnostic 1.7%, none or atheist 4.7%, unspecified 3.9% (2021 est.)
Median age
44.9 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
77.7 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Economic overview
upper-middle-income Balkan economy; newest euro user (introduced in 2023); increased investments from EU structural funds and tourism sector contributing to strong but moderating economic growth; declining energy prices and restrictive monetary policy easing inflation; historically low unemployment rate with labor shortages within services and manufacturing sectors
Industries
chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism
Agricultural products
maize, wheat, sugar beets, milk, barley, soybeans, sunflower seeds, potatoes, pork, grapes (2023)
Exports - partners
Italy 14%, Germany 11%, Slovenia 11%, Bosnia & Herzegovina 6%, Austria 6% (2023)
Imports - partners
Italy 14%, Germany 14%, Slovenia 11%, Hungary 6%, Austria 5% (2023)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
Zagreb
Independence
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia); notable earlier dates: ca. 925 (Kingdom of Croatia established), 1 December 1918 (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes established, later became Yugoslavia)
Constitution
several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1990
Executive branch
President Zoran MILANOVIC (since 18 February 2020)
Legislative branch
Croatian Parliament (Hrvatski Sabor)

Full reference data

Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.

Introduction
Background
The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics, including Croatia, under the strong hand of Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before Yugoslav forces were cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in 2009 and the EU in 2013. In January 2023, Croatia further integrated into the EU by joining the Eurozone and the Schengen Area.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Croatia. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 3 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required.
US Embassy/Consulate
[385] (1) 661-2200; US Embassy in Zagreb, Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb, Croatia; https://hr.usembassy.gov/; ZagrebACS@state.gov
Telephone Code
385
Local Emergency Phone
112
Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/
Climate
Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Currency (Code)
Euros (EUR)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages
Croatian 95.6%, Serbian 1.2%, other 3% (including Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and Albanian)
Major Religions
Roman Catholic 86.3%, Orthodox 4.4%, Muslim 1.5%
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Zagreb; Plitvice Lakes National Park; Kornati National Park; Split; Zadar's Romanesque churches; Zlatni Rat Beach; Kor?ula Town; Mljet National Park; Dubrovnik; Osijek; Stecci Medieval tombstones
Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, tennis
Cultural Practices
When eating, be sure to accept second helpings if offered. Refusal is considered impolite.
Tipping Guidelines
Tips are often included in restaurant bills, but, if not, add 10%; loose change or rounding up to the next convenient number is acceptable at bars. A tip of 15-20 kuna per bag for a hotel porter to deliver luggage to your room is appreciated. A daily tip of 15-20 kuna for housekeeping is considered to be good. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped.
Souvenirs
Lace and embroidered items, silver and coral jewelry, carved heart items; lavender, olive oil, and truffle products; handmade non-edible dough painted and/or bejeweled ornaments, wine and liqueurs
Traditional Cuisine
Zagorski štrukli — dough and various types of filling either boiled or baked; a mixture of cottage cheese with eggs, sour cream, and salt is spread thinly over the dough which is rolled lengthwise into two joined rolls and then cut into pieces before cooking
CIA source last updated
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Travel resources

Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Geography
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
Geographic coordinates
45 10 N, 15 30 E
Map references
Europe
Area - total
56,594 sq km
Area - land
55,974 sq km
Area - water
620 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries - total
2,237 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Bosnia and Herzegovina 956 km; Hungary 348 km; Montenegro 19 km; Serbia 314 km; Slovenia 600 km
Coastline
5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km; islands 4,058 km)
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Terrain
geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands
Elevation - highest point
Dinara 1,831 m
Elevation - lowest point
Adriatic Sea 0 m
Elevation - mean elevation
331 m
Natural resources
oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower
Land use - agricultural land
26.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 15.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
34.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
38.2% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
170 sq km (2022)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km) - Atlantic Ocean drainage
(Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution
more of the population lives in the northern half of the country, with approximately a quarter of the populace residing in and around the capital of Zagreb; many of the islands are sparsely populated
Natural hazards
destructive earthquakes
Geography - note
controls most land routes from Western Europe to the Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia -- some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks
People and Society
Population - total
4,071,208 (2025 est.)
Population - male
1,968,334
Population - female
2,102,874
Nationality - noun
Croat(s), Croatian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Croatian
Nationality - note
note: the French designation of "Croate" to Croatian mercenaries in the 17th century eventually became "Cravate" and later came to be applied to the soldiers' scarves - the cravat; Croatia celebrates Cravat Day every 18 October
Ethnic groups
Croat 91.6%, Serb 3.2%, other 3.9% (including Bosniak, Romani, Albanian, Italian, and Hungarian), unspecified 1.3% (2021 est.)
Languages - Languages
Croatian (official) 95.2%, Serbian 1.2%, other 3.1% (including Bosnian, Romani, Albanian, and Italian) unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.)
Languages - major-language sample(s)
Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, nužan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Croatian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 79%, Orthodox 3.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other Christian 4.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other 1.1%, agnostic 1.7%, none or atheist 4.7%, unspecified 3.9% (2021 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
13.8% (male 296,527/female 278,236)
Age structure - 15-64 years
63.1% (male 1,307,814/female 1,309,394)
Age structure - 65 years and over
23.1% (2024 est.) (male 399,090/female 559,055)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
55.9 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
21.5 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
34.4 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
2.9 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
44.9 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
43.2 years
Median age - female
47 years
Population growth rate
-0.53% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
8.49 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
12.87 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
more of the population lives in the northern half of the country, with approximately a quarter of the populace residing in and around the capital of Zagreb; many of the islands are sparsely populated
Urbanization - urban population
58.6% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
684,000 ZAGREB (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.07 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
1 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.71 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
8.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
8.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
77.7 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
74.6 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
81 years
Total fertility rate
1.43 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.69 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
13.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
3.91 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
5.6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
24.4% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
9.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
4.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
3.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
32.8% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
33.6% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
32.1% (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.1% (2021 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
8.5% national budget (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
16 years (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
15 years (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
17 years (2022 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of Croatia
Country name - conventional short form
Croatia
Country name - local long form
Republika Hrvatska
Country name - local short form
Hrvatska
Country name - former
People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia
Country name - etymology
name probably derives from the Croats, a Slavic tribe who migrated to the Balkans in the 7th century A.D., but that name may be related to the Russian word khrebet , meaning "mountain chain"
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital - name
Zagreb
Capital - geographic coordinates
45 48 N, 16 00 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Capital - etymology
the city's name means "beyond the bank (or ditch)"; za in Old Croat means "beyond," and greb means "bank" or "ditch," relating to the city's original site above the Sava River
Administrative divisions
20 counties ( zupanije , singular - zupanija ) and 1 city* ( grad - singular) with special county status; Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska (Bjelovar-Bilogora), Brodsko-Posavska (Brod-Posavina), Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria), Karlovacka (Karlovac), Koprivnicko-Krizevacka (Koprivnica-Krizevci), Krapinsko-Zagorska (Krapina-Zagorje), Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska (Medimurje), Osjecko-Baranjska (Osijek-Baranja), Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska (Primorje-Gorski Kotar), Sibensko-Kninska (Sibenik-Knin), Sisacko-Moslavacka (Sisak-Moslavina), Splitsko-Dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska (Varazdin), Viroviticko-Podravska (Virovitica-Podravina), Vukovarsko-Srijemska (Vukovar-Syrmia), Zadarska (Zadar), Zagreb*, Zagrebacka (Zagreb county)
Legal system
civil law system influenced by legal heritage of Austria-Hungary
Constitution - history
several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1990
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by at least one fifth of the Assembly membership, by the president of the republic, by the Government of Croatia, or through petition by at least 10% of the total electorate; proceedings to amend require majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; passage by petition requires a majority vote in a referendum and promulgation by the Assembly
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Croatia
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Zoran MILANOVIC (since 18 February 2020)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Andrej PLENKOVIC (since 19 October 2016)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the Assembly
Executive branch - election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president and approved by the Assembly
Executive branch - most recent election date
December 2024 (first round) and January 2025 (second round)
Executive branch - election results
2025: Zoran MILANOVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Zoran MILANOVIC (SDP) 74.6%, Dragan PRIMORAC (independent) 25.3% 2019: Zoran MILANOVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Zoran MILANOVIC (SDP) 52.7%, Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC (HDZ) 47.3%
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2029
Legislative branch - legislature name
Croatian Parliament (Hrvatski Sabor)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
unicameral
Legislative branch - number of seats
151 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - term in office
4 years
Legislative branch - most recent election date
4/17/2024
Legislative branch - parties elected and seats per party
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) (55); Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP) (37); Homeland Movement (DP) (11); We Can! – Political Platform (Možemo!) (10); Bridge (Most) (7); Other (20)
Legislative branch - percentage of women in chamber
33.1%
Legislative branch - expected date of next election
April 2028
Legislative branch - note
note: of the 151 seats, 140 members come from 10 multi-seat constituencies, with 3 members in a constituency for Croatian diaspora; voters belonging to recognized minorities elect an additional 8 members from a nationwide constituency: the Serb minority elects 3 members, the Hungarian and Italian minorities elect 1 each, the Czech and Slovak minorities elect 1 jointly, and all other minorities elect 2
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the court president and vice president, 25 civil department justices, and 16 criminal department justices)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
president of Supreme Court nominated by the president of Croatia and elected by the Sabor for a 4-year term; other Supreme Court justices appointed by the National Judicial Council; all judges serve until age 70
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Administrative Court; county, municipal, and specialized courts
Judicial branch - note
note: an 11-member Constitutional Court has jurisdiction limited to constitutional issues, but it is outside the judicial system
Political parties
Bosniaks Together The Bridge or MOST (formerly the Bridge of Independent Lists) Croatia Romani Union Kali Sara (SRRH) Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ Democratic Union of Hungarians in Croatia (DZMH) Focus or Fokus Homeland Movement or DP (also known as Miroslav Škoro Homeland Movement or DPMS) Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS Independent Platform of the North (NPS) Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP We Can! or Mozemo!
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Pjer ŠIMUNOVIĆ (since 8 September 2017)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 588-5899
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 588-8937
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle (WA)
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s)
Anchorage (AL), Houston, Kansas City (MO),Minneapolis/St. Paul (MN), New Orleans, Pittsburgh (PA)
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Nicole McGRAW (since 21 October 2025)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
5080 Zagreb Place, Washington DC 20521-5080
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[385] (1) 661-2200
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[385] (1) 665-8933
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
International organization participation
AIIB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EMU, EU, FAO, G-11, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Independence
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia); notable earlier dates: ca. 925 (Kingdom of Croatia established), 1 December 1918 (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes established, later became Yugoslavia)
Independence - note
note: 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian parliament voted for independence; the legislature adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia
National holiday
Statehood Day (National Day), 30 May (1990)
National holiday - note
note: marks the day in 1990 that the first modern multi-party Croatian parliament convened
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue -- the pan-Slav colors -- with the Croatian coat of arms in the center, which consists of a main shield (a checkerboard of 13 red and 12 silver fields) with five smaller shields that form a crown over the main shield meaning: the small shields represent the five historic regions (from left to right): Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia history: Russia's 19th-century flag inspired the pan-Slav colors
National symbol(s)
red-and-white checkerboard
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National anthem(s) - title
"Lijepa nasa domovino" (Our Beautiful Homeland)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Antun MIHANOVIC/Josip RUNJANIN
National anthem(s) - history
adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; the lyrics were written in 1835, and it served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
10 (8 cultural, 2 natural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Plitvice Lakes National Park (n); Historic Split (c); Old City of Dubrovnik (c); Euphrasian Basilica; Historic Trogir (c); Šibenik Cathedral (c); Stari Grad Plain (c); Zadar and Fort St. Nikola Venetian Defense Works (c); Primeval Beech Forests (n); Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (c)
Economy
Economic overview
upper-middle-income Balkan economy; newest euro user (introduced in 2023); increased investments from EU structural funds and tourism sector contributing to strong but moderating economic growth; declining energy prices and restrictive monetary policy easing inflation; historically low unemployment rate with labor shortages within services and manufacturing sectors
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$164.825 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$158.769 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$153.693 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
7.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$42,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$41,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$39,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$92.526 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
3% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
7.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
10.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
3.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
19.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
59.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
57% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
22.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
23.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
-0.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
49.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-52.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
maize, wheat, sugar beets, milk, barley, soybeans, sunflower seeds, potatoes, pork, grapes (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism
Industrial production growth rate
2.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
1.733 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
5.3% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
6.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
7% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
16.6% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
15.5% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
18.2% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
18% (2021 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
30 (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
18.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
7.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
2.9% (2022 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
23% (2022 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2024
7.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2023
7.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
7.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$32.487 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$33.715 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2023
75.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
21.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2024
-$1.049 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
$635.97 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$2.621 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2024
$46.601 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$45.064 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$41.907 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Italy 14%, Germany 11%, Slovenia 11%, Bosnia & Herzegovina 6%, Austria 6% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
ships, garments, electricity, packaged medicine, wood (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$49.86 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$46.811 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$46.769 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
Italy 14%, Germany 14%, Slovenia 11%, Hungary 6%, Austria 5% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, garments, natural gas, crude petroleum (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$3.336 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$3.176 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$29.726 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates - note
note: Croatia used the kuna prior to conversion to the euro on 1 January 2023. During the transition period the exchange rate was fixed at 7.53450 kuna to 1 euro.
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
5.518 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
16.408 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - exports
8.461 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
10.038 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
2.053 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
31.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
14.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
48.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - geothermal
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
3.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
596,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
1,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Coal - imports
663,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
70,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
71 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
722.231 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
2.689 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - exports
1.119 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - imports
2.995 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
24.919 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
79.907 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
1.1 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
29 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
4.72 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
122 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
the national state-owned public broadcaster, Croatian Radiotelevision, operates 4 terrestrial TV networks, a satellite channel that rebroadcasts programs for Croatians overseas, and 6 regional TV centers; 2 private broadcasters with national terrestrial networks; 29 privately owned regional TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; state-owned public broadcaster operates 4 national radio networks and 23 regional radio stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks and 117 local radio stations (2019)
Internet country code
.hr
Internet users - percent of population
83% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
1.11 million (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
28 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9A
Airports
45 (2025)
Heliports
7 (2025)
Railways - total
2,617 km (2020) 980 km electrified
Merchant marine - total
384 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
bulk carrier 10, general cargo 32, oil tanker 14, other 328
Ports - total ports
16 (2024)
Ports - large
2
Ports - medium
0
Ports - small
6
Ports - very small
8
Ports - ports with oil terminals
8
Ports - key ports
Bakar, Dubrovnik, Omisalj, Rijeka Luka, Rovinj, Sibenik, Split, Zadar
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH): Croatian Army (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Croatian Navy (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM; includes Coast Guard), Croatian Air Force (Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo, HRZ) (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note: the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for internal security, including law enforcement (Croatia Police) and border security
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2025
2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
1.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 15,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era (largely from the former Yugoslavia) equipment and a growing amount of more modern, NATO-compatible weapon systems from suppliers such as France, Germany, Türkiye, and the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-29 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription abolished in 2008 but will be reinstated in 2026 when it will become mandatory for men aged 19-29 to undergo two months of basic military training (2025)
Military service age and obligation - note
note: as of 2024, women comprised about 14% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments
150 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO); also has a few hundred personnel participating in several other EU, NATO, and UN missions (2025)
Military - note
the Armed Forces of Croatia (OSRH) are responsible for the defense of Croatia’s sovereignty and territory, contributing to international humanitarian, peacekeeping, and security missions, and providing assistance to civil authorities for such missions as responding to disasters, search and rescue, anti-terrorism, and internal security in times of crisis if called upon by the prime minister or the president; Croatia joined NATO in 2009, and the OSRH participates in NATO missions, including its peacekeeping force in Kosovo and the Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Eastern Europe; it also contributes to EU and UN missions; the OSRH trains regularly with NATO and regional partners the OSRH was established in 1991 from the Croatian National Guard during the Croatian War of Independence (1991-95); during the war, the ground forces grew to as many as 60 brigades and dozens of independent battalions, and a single military offensive against Serbian forces in 1995 included some 100,000 Croatian troops; in 2000, Croatia initiated an effort to modernize and reform the OSRH into a small, professional military capable of meeting the challenges of NATO membership (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
29,927 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - stateless persons
758 (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
air pollution in urban areas, as well as emissions from neighboring countries; surface water pollution in the Danube River Basin
International environmental agreements - party to
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast
Land use - agricultural land
26.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 15.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 9.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
34.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
38.2% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
58.6% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
16.467 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
1.335 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
9.858 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
5.275 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
15.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
1.81 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
20% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
465 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
475 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
76 million cubic meters (2022)
Total renewable water resources
105.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Geoparks - total global geoparks and regional networks
3 (2024)
Geoparks - global geoparks and regional networks
Biokovo-Imotski Lakes; Papuk; Vis Archipelago (2024)