Compare countries · Croatia vs Serbia
Croatia vs Serbia
Croatia(Europe)·
Serbia(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Croatia leads on 10, Serbia on 3. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Croatia
52.4
Worse than 72% of countries
Serbia
42.6
Around the global middle
Serbia: 19% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Croatia
18.0
Worse than 65% of countries
Serbia
13.1
Better than 56% of countries
Serbia: 27% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Croatia
1.46
Better than 91% of countries
Serbia
1.89
Better than 63% of countries
Croatia: more peaceful (1.46 vs 1.89).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Croatia
75.7
Better than 91% of countries
Serbia
63.0
Better than 67% of countries
Croatia: higher perceived safety (75.7 vs 63.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Croatia
0.878
Better than 80% of countries
Serbia
0.805
Better than 66% of countries
Croatia: higher human development (0.878 vs 0.805).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Croatia
$50,946
Better than 76% of countries
Serbia
$33,910
Better than 65% of countries
Croatia: 50% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Croatia
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Serbia
76.0 yrs
Better than 58% of countries
Croatia: 2.9 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Croatia
65.1
Around the global middle
Serbia
52.1
Worse than 87% of countries
Croatia: better-rated healthcare (65.1 vs 52.1).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Croatia
136 Mbps
Better than 64% of countries
Serbia
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
Croatia: 33% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Croatia
66/100
Better than 69% of countries
Serbia
51/100
Worse than 58% of countries
Croatia: freer press (66 vs 51 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Croatia
6.01
Around the global middle
Serbia
6.69
Better than 80% of countries
Serbia: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 6.01).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Croatia
617
Better than 93% of countries
Serbia
578
Better than 75% of countries
Croatia: stronger English proficiency (617 vs 578).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Croatia
87.1
Better than 67% of countries
Serbia
82.7
Better than 56% of countries
Croatia: more pleasant climate rating (87.1 vs 82.7).
Deciding between Croatia and Serbia for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.