Population census of Croatia in 2021: results

Census of 2021 has shown, that in the past 10 years (meaning, a period from 2011 to 2021) the population of Croatia has decreased by 396 360 people, which is equivalent to about 9.25% of an overall population.

That is, by far, the biggest population decrease, comparing to the census of 1991 to 2001, as well as the post-war years, when the population of Croatia has only decreased by 7%.

The smallest local population all decrease is registered in the capital city of Croatia – Zagreb – where the percentage of population decrease is only 2.54%, app.about 20000 people; in the region of Dubrovnik city this percentage is making 5.47%, app. 6500 people; and in the region of Zadar city, with the percentage of population decrease being 5.69%, app. 9500 people.

Population census of Croatia in 2021 results

The biggest population decrease is registered in the region of Vukovar, with an impressive percentage of 19.54%, which is making more than 35000 people; second place in the top of the regions with population decrease belongs to the Sisak-Moslavski region, which suffered from the 2020 earthquakes – the percentage of decrease here is 18.49% or app. 32000 people.

The results of past population censuses:

in 2021 – the population of Croatia was 3 888 529
in 2011 – 4 284 889
in 2001 – 4 437 460
in 1991 – 4 784 265

Where are Croatians emigrating?

Judging from the Croatian council’s and other governmental institutions’ records, there are about 3200000 of Croatian emigrants living abroad.

The biggest Croatian communities are currently located in:

  • in USA live about 1200000 people
  • Germany – about 500000 people
  • Australia, Canada and Argentina – about 250000 people
  • Chile – about 200000 Croats
  • New Zealand – about 100000
  • Austria – about 90000
  • Switzerland – about 80000
  • Brazil – about 70000
  • Italy – about 60000 people
  • France – about 40000 people
  • Sweden – about 40000 people
  • Ireland – about 25000 people

In the past 8 years more people emigrated from Croatia than in all 46 years of the existence of the Yugoslavia.