17,000 of our citizens have returned to Croatia: mostly from Germany and BiH

In 2025, Croatia welcomed 56,665 individuals from abroad, while 37,485 citizens left the country for foreign destinations. This resulted in a net positive migration balance of 19,180 people. The data comes from the Croatian State Institute for Statistics (DZS), which released figures detailing migration trends within the country and its relations with other nations. Among the newcomers, 17 percent came from Germany, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Nepal, each contributing 11.1 percent of the total number of arrivals. Meanwhile, the largest share of departures was recorded toward Germany, accounting for 16.6 percent of all emigrants. The statistics reveal that among the 56,665 people who arrived in Croatia last year, 29.7 percent were Croatian citizens, while 70.3 percent were foreigners. Conversely, of the 37,485 people leaving the country, 35 percent were Croatian citizens and 65 percent were foreigners. A notable shift occurred compared to previous years, with a slight increase in the number of Croatian citizens returning home, approximately 3,500 more than in 2024—and a decrease in the number of Croatian citizens leaving the country by around 7,000. Germany remained the top destination for Croatian emigrants, with 6,238 people moving there in 2025. Of these, 6,145 were Croatian citizens and 93 were foreigners. On the flip side, 9,628 people returned to Croatia from Germany, including 8,334 Croatian citizens and 1,294 foreigners. These numbers highlight a growing trend of returnees, particularly from Germany, which has historically been a popular destination for Croatian migrants. The demographic composition of both arrivals and departures shows a significant presence of middle-aged individuals. Nearly one-fifth of the 56,665 arrivals were aged 50 or older, though specific data on how many of these were Croatian citizens versus foreigners is not available. Additionally, 3,116 children under the age of 14 arrived in Croatia, while 2,152 children of similar age left the country. Population projections indicate that Croatia had approximately 3.876 million residents as of December 31, 2025. However, concerns remain regarding the aging population structure, with a notable increase in the number of people over 65 years old, nearly 15,000 more than in 2024. In contrast, the number of children under 14 dropped by around 8,000 during the same period. Despite this decline, the birth rate showed a modest improvement, with 32,479 babies born in 2025, representing an increase of 410 births compared to the previous year. Internal migration patterns within Croatia also reflect regional disparities. Out of the 20 counties plus the City of Zagreb, seven counties recorded a positive internal migration balance, meaning more people moved into them than left. The highest positive balance was observed in the Zagreb County, with 1,937 more people arriving than departing. Conversely, 13 counties and the City of Zagreb experienced negative balances, with the most significant outflow occurring in Brodski Posavski County (-522 people) and Vukovar-Syrmia County (-463 people). The overall migration dynamics within the country show that the greatest positive balance in total migration (combining inter-county and international movements) was recorded in Zagreb County (3,475 people) and Istria County (3,275 people). On the other hand, the most negative balance was noted in Sisak-Moslavina County (-558 people) and Brodski Posavski County (-205 people). Croatia's population distribution continues to evolve, influenced by both international migration and internal movement. As of late 2025, the country hosts nearly 30,000 Ukrainian refugees who have received temporary protection status. This influx adds another layer to the complex migration landscape, further shaping the demographic profile of the nation.