In 2026 there will be 700 more new births than last year, but the balance between new births and deaths is decidedly negative for a population of almost four million inhabitants.
The latest form of support devised by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković ‘s center-right government to stem Croatia’s demographic decline involves the purchase of cars for large families . Demography Minister Ivan Šipić announced that starting this fall, families with four or more children will be able to benefit from a state subsidy of up to €15,000 for seven-seater vehicles.
The car bonus
“To receive this assistance, you will need to meet the income requirement ,” the minister specified. “We had to impose this requirement to accommodate families who truly need assistance. Those planning to purchase a car in the coming months are therefore advised to be patient. They will save a significant amount . We are aware that this measure will not solve all problems, but the government is also taking action to address housing costs, healthcare, schools, and daycare. Some positive results are already visible.”
The relatively positive trend
Šipić underlined that in 2025, 410 more children were born than in 2024 , a positive trend that continued in the first half of 2026 , with 700 more babies .
But this is not enough, as confirmed by data from ISTAT : last year 32,479 children were born , while there were 50,007 deaths for a population of 3 million 875,000 inhabitants .
The country is supported by the increase in the number of people returning to Croatia , or moving there for the first time, and by the decrease in emigration abroad , in search of better living and working conditions.
There is a growing number of families returning to live in Croatia after years of living abroad and at the same time – especially in tourism, catering, construction and commerce – we are witnessing the arrival of foreign workers , mainly from Asian countries and the former Yugoslavia.
In Croatia, there are 128 towns that have city status : only six have had more births than deaths . We are talking about Split’s Kaštel, Makarska, Salona, Imoški, and Metcovich (Porta Perenta) in Dalmatia, and Dugo Selo, near Zagreb. Of the large cities, Rijeka is the worst off: last year, there were 628 births and 1,596 deaths. But which town offers the highest baby bonuses in Croatia? It is the aforementioned Imoški, whose parents receive 2,500 euros for their firstborn, 5,000 for their second born, and 10,000 for their third born and each subsequent child.