HINA News

Croatia’s natural increase rate negative in 2023 also

ZAGREB, 24 July (Hina) – The Croatian Bureau of Statistics has released data on the natural population change showing that in 2023, the number of live births fell by 5.1%В compared to 2022, and the natural increase rate was negative at -5%В (-19,105 people).

The negative natural change is also reflected in the vital index (live births per 100 deaths), which was 62.7. All counties had negative natural increase, with the highest in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County at -2,092 and a vital index of 45.1. Forty-three cities/municipalities had positive natural increase, 508 cities/municipalities and the City of Zagreb had negative ones, and four municipalities had zero natural increase.

Births and deaths

In 2023, there were 1,713 fewer births compared to 2022. The total number of births in 2023 was 32,325, of which 32,170 were live births and 155 were stillbirths. Of the 32,170 live births, 16,355 were boys and 15,815 were girls. The birth rate (live births per 1,000 inhabitants)В was 8.3%.

Last year, 5,704 fewer people died (a 10%В decrease) compared to 2022. Of the total number of deaths (51,275), 25,617 were men and 25,658В were women. The mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 inhabitants) was 13.3%.

In 2023, 127 infants died, accounting for 0.25%В of the total number of deaths, including 59 who died within the first six days of life. The infant mortality rate (number of deceased infants per 1,000 live births) was 3.9, compared to 4.1 in 2022.В The lowest infant mortality rate was in VaraЕѕdin County (0.8) and the highest in Bjelovar-Bilogora County (9.1).

Marriages and divorces

Last year, 17,306 marriages were contracted. The marriage rate (marriages per 1,000 inhabitants) was 4.5. There were 4,407 finalised divorces. The divorce rate (number of divorces per 1,000 inhabitants) was 1.1.