The provisional data from the State Bureau of Statistics (DZS) reveals that in 2023, the lowest number of births since statistical measurements began was recorded in Croatia. Despite an increase in marriages and a decrease in deaths, the overall negative trend in natural population growth persists.

In 2023, 32,047 children were born, nearly 2,000 fewer than in 2022 when 34,027 were born, continuing the significant decline in the number of births. For comparison, in the year 2000, 43,746 children were born.

On the other hand, data shows that in 2023, about 6,000 fewer people died compared to the previous year. In 2023, 51,319 deaths were reported, compared to 56,979 the year before. The increased mortality in 2021 was a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to 8,557 deaths in Croatia that year.

The substantial decrease in the number of deaths in 2023 has reduced the negative natural population growth, with a difference between births and deaths of -19,272 compared to -23,096 in the previous year.

Detailed and final data on population movements for 2022 revealed that 34,027 children were born that year, 7.2% less than the previous year, with every fourth child born out of wedlock.