Croatia · Europe
How many people die in Croatia every day?
In Croatia, about 142 people die every day, roughly one death every 10 minutes. That is about 52,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 103rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 78 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
142
Deaths per year
52,000
Life expectancy
78 years
Population
3,850,894
Death rate
13.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Croatia
78
World avg
72.8
+5.2 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Croatia
13.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Croatia by time period
| Per hour | 5.9 |
| Per day | 142 |
| Per week | 997 |
| Per month | 4,333 |
| Per year | 52,000 |
What people die of in Croatia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Croatia in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 16.2% of all deaths, about 23 a day. It was followed by hypertensive heart disease and diabetes.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 6-fold since 2000, from about 283 to 1,773 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 60% since 2000, from about 8,546 to 3,390 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 8,289 | 23 | 16.2% | -45% |
| 2 | Hypertensive heart disease | 4,692 | 13 | 9.1% | +408% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 3,885 | 11 | 7.6% | +371% |
| 4 | Stroke | 3,390 | 9.3 | 6.6% | -60% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 2,799 | 7.7 | 5.5% | +12% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 2,084 | 5.7 | 4.1% | +30% |
| 7 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 1,773 | 4.9 | 3.5% | +527% |
| 8 | COPD | 1,764 | 4.8 | 3.4% | +21% |
| 9 | Kidney diseases | 1,227 | 3.4 | 2.4% | +112% |
| 10 | Falls | 1,101 | 3.0 | 2.1% | +95% |
Deaths in Croatia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 51,304 people died in Croatia in 2023, 2% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 50,208 deaths |
| 2010 | 52,112 deaths |
| 2019 | 51,810 deaths |
| 2023 | 51,304 deaths |
Life expectancy in Croatia since 1950
A baby born in Croatia in 1950 could expect to live about 58.5 years. By 2023 that had risen to 78.6, a gain of 20.1 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 58.5 years |
| 1980 | 71 years |
| 2000 | 74 years |
| 2010 | 76.7 years |
| 2019 | 78.2 years |
| 2023 | 78.6 years |
Croatia compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Croatia ranks 21st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | 142 | 78 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Moldova | 115 | 72 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 104 | 77.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ireland | 90 | 82 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Albania | 60 | 76.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Lithuania | 115 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Croatia every day?
In Croatia, about 142 people die every day, or roughly one death every 10 minutes. That adds up to about 52,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Croatia?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Croatia. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 16.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Croatia?
Life expectancy at birth in Croatia is 78 years, 5.2 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 45th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Croatia high?
Croatia records about 13.5 deaths per 1,000 people each year, above the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.