Croatia
Europe · Southeast Europe
Adriatic coastline; joined the euro and Schengen in 2023, tourism-driven and scenic.
Digital Nomad
Ideal destination
Expat
Ideal destination
Retiree
Ideal destination
At a Glance
📈Croatia's Human Development Index
0.878
Very High human development#38 of 191 countries worldwide, #28 of 44 in Europe.
Higher than 81% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Croatia
Croatia is an Adriatic country with one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe, a chain of islands, crystal clear sea, and medieval walled towns like Dubrovnik and Split that attract visitors from across the world. The interior has its own quieter appeal, with Plitvice Lakes, rolling vineyards, and the elegant capital Zagreb. It can feel overrun in peak summer season along the coast, but the shoulder months offer the same beauty with far more breathing room.
- The necktie was invented here — 'cravat' derives from 'Croat'.
- Ranked safer for street crime than Italy, France, or Spain.
- Dubrovnik's walls predate most European capitals.
Quick Facts
Capital
Zagreb
Language
Croatian
Currency
€ EUR
Area
55,960 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
136Mbps
Mobile
138Mbps
Digital Nomad Visa
Min. Income
€2,366/mo
Duration
12 months
Renewable
No
Application Fee
~€75
~$82
GDP / Capita
$27K
PPP / Capita
$51K
Inflation
3.7%
Unemployment
5.0%
Innovation (GII)
37.7
GNI / Capita
$25K
Tax Revenue
21.2%
FDI Inflows
4.9%
Education Spend
4.1%
Cost of Living
52.4
Price Level Index
36th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1995
0.709 → 0.878 (+0.169)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 28 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Croatia for real?
The matcher weighs your budget, timeline and dealbreakers against the same data on this page, then answers with the places that actually fit.
Find your match →Neighbouring Countries
Croatia head-to-head
💬Quick answers
What is Croatia's Human Development Index?
Croatia's Human Development Index is 0.878 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #38 of 191 countries.
Is Croatia safe?
Croatia scores 1.62 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #23 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
How expensive is Croatia?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Croatia at 52.4 (New York = 100); that is #105 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Croatia?
Life expectancy at birth in Croatia is 78.9 yrs (World Bank), ranked #46 of 195 countries.
What is the quality of life in Croatia?
Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Croatia at 176.6, ranked #21 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.