The latest officially reported population of Croatia was 3,876,200 in 2025 vs 579,704 people in Malta in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Croatia's population is 3,849,788 people compared to 586,345 in Malta.
Population statistics:
- Croatia's population is 6.57 times bigger than Malta's.
- Croatia is ranked the 130th most populous country in the world, while Malta is the 167th.
- The countries together account for 0.05% of the world: 0.05% for Croatia vs 0.007% for Malta.
- For the last 10 years, Croatia has had an average growth rate of -0.73% per year vs +2.68% in Malta.
- Since 2006, the population of Croatia has decreased from 4.31M people to 3.85M (10.7% decline), while Malta has grown from 405K to 586K (44.7% growth).
Croatia vs Malta: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Croatia
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | 2,158,545 | 385,935 |
| 2099 | 2,176,440 | 389,134 |
| 2098 | 2,194,539 | 392,349 |
| 2097 | 2,212,602 | 395,676 |
| 2096 | 2,231,114 | 399,078 |
| 2095 | 2,249,667 | 402,765 |
| 2094 | 2,268,376 | 406,545 |
| 2093 | 2,286,882 | 410,348 |
| 2092 | 2,305,583 | 414,228 |
| 2091 | 2,324,254 | 418,324 |
| 2090 | 2,342,729 | 422,539 |
| 2089 | 2,361,668 | 426,802 |
| 2088 | 2,380,831 | 431,058 |
| 2087 | 2,399,709 | 435,593 |
| 2086 | 2,418,760 | 440,311 |
| 2085 | 2,438,113 | 444,985 |
| 2084 | 2,457,815 | 449,785 |
| 2083 | 2,477,556 | 454,721 |
| 2082 | 2,497,595 | 459,549 |
| 2081 | 2,517,715 | 464,574 |
| 2080 | 2,538,164 | 469,503 |
| 2079 | 2,559,092 | 474,408 |
| 2078 | 2,580,179 | 479,266 |
| 2077 | 2,601,778 | 484,147 |
| 2076 | 2,623,507 | 489,066 |
| 2075 | 2,645,523 | 493,650 |
| 2074 | 2,667,391 | 498,129 |
| 2073 | 2,689,518 | 502,551 |
| 2072 | 2,712,201 | 506,905 |
| 2071 | 2,734,759 | 511,168 |
| 2070 | 2,757,112 | 515,276 |
| 2069 | 2,780,455 | 519,370 |
| 2068 | 2,804,383 | 523,386 |
| 2067 | 2,828,363 | 527,196 |
| 2066 | 2,852,669 | 530,842 |
| 2065 | 2,877,009 | 534,346 |
| 2064 | 2,901,213 | 537,672 |
| 2063 | 2,926,228 | 540,800 |
| 2062 | 2,951,475 | 543,938 |
| 2061 | 2,976,903 | 546,831 |
| 2060 | 3,002,483 | 549,661 |
| 2059 | 3,027,959 | 552,414 |
| 2058 | 3,053,643 | 554,917 |
| 2057 | 3,079,155 | 557,274 |
| 2056 | 3,105,119 | 559,707 |
| 2055 | 3,130,769 | 562,109 |
| 2054 | 3,156,282 | 564,244 |
| 2053 | 3,182,091 | 566,461 |
| 2052 | 3,207,640 | 568,738 |
| 2051 | 3,233,551 | 571,060 |
| 2050 | 3,259,702 | 573,186 |
| 2049 | 3,285,684 | 575,026 |
| 2048 | 3,311,657 | 576,946 |
| 2047 | 3,337,645 | 579,015 |
| 2046 | 3,363,102 | 580,778 |
| 2045 | 3,388,731 | 582,504 |
| 2044 | 3,414,541 | 584,119 |
| 2043 | 3,439,695 | 585,724 |
| 2042 | 3,464,688 | 587,136 |
| 2041 | 3,489,565 | 588,589 |
| 2040 | 3,513,946 | 589,860 |
| 2039 | 3,538,129 | 591,157 |
| 2038 | 3,562,371 | 592,353 |
| 2037 | 3,586,606 | 593,277 |
| 2036 | 3,609,771 | 594,028 |
| 2035 | 3,632,470 | 594,615 |
| 2034 | 3,656,066 | 595,017 |
| 2033 | 3,679,626 | 594,907 |
| 2032 | 3,703,646 | 594,310 |
| 2031 | 3,728,250 | 593,505 |
| 2030 | 3,752,014 | 592,412 |
| 2029 | 3,776,079 | 591,100 |
| 2028 | 3,799,610 | 589,420 |
| 2027 | 3,824,370 | 587,406 |
| 2026 | 3,849,788 | 585,225 |
| 2025 | 3,876,200 | 579,704 |
| 2024 | 3,866,200 | 568,847 |
| 2023 | 3,859,686 | 552,747 |
| 2022 | 3,855,641 | 531,113 |
| 2021 | 3,878,981 | 518,150 |
| 2020 | 3,914,206 | 515,490 |
| 2019 | 3,949,390 | 503,912 |
| 2018 | 3,988,775 | 483,903 |
| 2017 | 4,041,407 | 467,106 |
| 2016 | 4,106,867 | 454,505 |
| 2015 | 4,151,725 | 444,220 |
| 2014 | 4,201,598 | 433,481 |
| 2013 | 4,233,922 | 424,810 |
| 2012 | 4,260,368 | 420,028 |
| 2011 | 4,280,622 | 416,268 |
| 2010 | 4,295,427 | 414,508 |
| 2009 | 4,305,181 | 412,477 |
| 2008 | 4,309,705 | 409,379 |
| 2007 | 4,310,217 | 406,724 |
| 2006 | 4,311,159 | 405,308 |
| 2005 | 4,310,145 | 403,834 |
| 2004 | 4,304,600 | 401,268 |
| 2003 | 4,303,399 | 398,582 |
| 2002 | 4,302,174 | 395,969 |
| 2001 | 4,299,642 | 393,028 |
| 2000 | 4,468,302 | 390,087 |
| 1999 | 4,512,597 | 387,578 |
| 1998 | 4,532,135 | 385,287 |
| 1997 | 4,534,920 | 382,791 |
| 1996 | 4,557,097 | 379,905 |
| 1995 | 4,620,030 | 377,419 |
| 1994 | 4,652,024 | 374,797 |
| 1993 | 4,600,463 | 371,308 |
| 1992 | 4,575,818 | 367,618 |
| 1991 | 4,689,022 | 363,845 |
| 1990 | 4,777,368 | 354,170 |
| 1989 | 4,767,260 | 350,722 |
| 1988 | 4,755,207 | 347,325 |
| 1987 | 4,739,745 | 344,485 |
| 1986 | 4,721,446 | 342,121 |
| 1985 | 4,701,417 | 336,452 |
| 1984 | 4,680,285 | 330,593 |
| 1983 | 4,658,254 | 330,524 |
| 1982 | 4,634,234 | 325,898 |
| 1981 | 4,611,509 | 318,982 |
| 1980 | 4,599,782 | 316,645 |
| 1979 | 4,594,778 | 313,342 |
| 1978 | 4,581,085 | 310,182 |
| 1977 | 4,559,571 | 306,970 |
| 1976 | 4,535,934 | 305,774 |
| 1975 | 4,512,082 | 304,222 |
| 1974 | 4,490,660 | 301,996 |
| 1973 | 4,470,161 | 302,200 |
| 1972 | 4,450,564 | 302,450 |
| 1971 | 4,431,275 | 302,700 |
| 1970 | 4,412,252 | 302,650 |
| 1969 | 4,391,490 | 304,300 |
| 1968 | 4,365,628 | 307,900 |
| 1967 | 4,338,683 | 311,550 |
| 1966 | 4,310,701 | 315,200 |
| 1965 | 4,280,923 | 318,800 |
| 1964 | 4,252,876 | 321,250 |
| 1963 | 4,225,675 | 322,550 |
| 1962 | 4,196,712 | 323,900 |
| 1961 | 4,167,292 | 325,250 |
| 1960 | 4,140,181 | 326,550 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/croatia/malta | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Croatia decreased by 204,292 people (a 4.74% decline), while Malta gained 49,197 people (a 12.1% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Croatia lost 257,079 people (a 6.26% decline), while Malta's population increased by 131,840 people (a 29% growth).
Croatia was ranked 120th most populous country in 2006 and is 130th in 2026. Malta was ranked 168th in 2006 and ranked 167th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Croatia's population will shrink by 15.3% to 3,259,702 people with a rank change from 130th to 138th. The population of Malta will decrease by 2.24% to 573,186 people and will still be ranked 167th.
Malta is projected to reach its peak in 2034 at 595K people, while Croatia's population already peaked in 1990 at 4.78M people and is projected to decrease to 2.16M people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Croatia
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | -0.82% | -0.82% |
| 2099 | -0.82% | -0.82% |
| 2098 | -0.82% | -0.84% |
| 2097 | -0.83% | -0.85% |
| 2096 | -0.82% | -0.92% |
| 2095 | -0.82% | -0.93% |
| 2094 | -0.81% | -0.93% |
| 2093 | -0.81% | -0.94% |
| 2092 | -0.8% | -0.98% |
| 2091 | -0.79% | -1% |
| 2090 | -0.8% | -1% |
| 2089 | -0.8% | -0.99% |
| 2088 | -0.79% | -1.04% |
| 2087 | -0.79% | -1.07% |
| 2086 | -0.79% | -1.05% |
| 2085 | -0.8% | -1.07% |
| 2084 | -0.8% | -1.09% |
| 2083 | -0.8% | -1.05% |
| 2082 | -0.8% | -1.08% |
| 2081 | -0.81% | -1.05% |
| 2080 | -0.82% | -1.03% |
| 2079 | -0.82% | -1.01% |
| 2078 | -0.83% | -1.01% |
| 2077 | -0.83% | -1.01% |
| 2076 | -0.83% | -0.93% |
| 2075 | -0.82% | -0.9% |
| 2074 | -0.82% | -0.88% |
| 2073 | -0.84% | -0.86% |
| 2072 | -0.82% | -0.83% |
| 2071 | -0.81% | -0.8% |
| 2070 | -0.84% | -0.79% |
| 2069 | -0.85% | -0.77% |
| 2068 | -0.85% | -0.72% |
| 2067 | -0.85% | -0.69% |
| 2066 | -0.85% | -0.66% |
| 2065 | -0.83% | -0.62% |
| 2064 | -0.85% | -0.58% |
| 2063 | -0.86% | -0.58% |
| 2062 | -0.85% | -0.53% |
| 2061 | -0.85% | -0.51% |
| 2060 | -0.84% | -0.5% |
| 2059 | -0.84% | -0.45% |
| 2058 | -0.83% | -0.42% |
| 2057 | -0.84% | -0.43% |
| 2056 | -0.82% | -0.43% |
| 2055 | -0.81% | -0.38% |
| 2054 | -0.81% | -0.39% |
| 2053 | -0.8% | -0.4% |
| 2052 | -0.8% | -0.41% |
| 2051 | -0.8% | -0.37% |
| 2050 | -0.79% | -0.32% |
| 2049 | -0.78% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | -0.78% | -0.36% |
| 2047 | -0.76% | -0.3% |
| 2046 | -0.76% | -0.3% |
| 2045 | -0.76% | -0.28% |
| 2044 | -0.73% | -0.27% |
| 2043 | -0.72% | -0.24% |
| 2042 | -0.71% | -0.25% |
| 2041 | -0.69% | -0.22% |
| 2040 | -0.68% | -0.22% |
| 2039 | -0.68% | -0.2% |
| 2038 | -0.68% | -0.16% |
| 2037 | -0.64% | -0.13% |
| 2036 | -0.62% | -0.1% |
| 2035 | -0.65% | -0.07% |
| 2034 | -0.64% | 0.02% |
| 2033 | -0.65% | 0.1% |
| 2032 | -0.66% | 0.14% |
| 2031 | -0.63% | 0.18% |
| 2030 | -0.64% | 0.22% |
| 2029 | -0.62% | 0.29% |
| 2028 | -0.65% | 0.34% |
| 2027 | -0.66% | 0.37% |
| 2026 | -0.68% | 0.95% |
| 2025 | 0.26% | 1.91% |
| 2024 | 0.17% | 2.91% |
| 2023 | 0.1% | 4.07% |
| 2022 | -0.6% | 2.5% |
| 2021 | -0.9% | 0.52% |
| 2020 | -0.89% | 2.3% |
| 2019 | -0.99% | 4.13% |
| 2018 | -1.3% | 3.6% |
| 2017 | -1.59% | 2.77% |
| 2016 | -1.08% | 2.32% |
| 2015 | -1.19% | 2.48% |
| 2014 | -0.76% | 2.04% |
| 2013 | -0.62% | 1.14% |
| 2012 | -0.47% | 0.9% |
| 2011 | -0.34% | 0.42% |
| 2010 | -0.23% | 0.49% |
| 2009 | -0.1% | 0.76% |
| 2008 | -0.01% | 0.65% |
| 2007 | -0.02% | 0.35% |
| 2006 | 0.02% | 0.37% |
| 2005 | 0.13% | 0.64% |
| 2004 | 0.03% | 0.67% |
| 2003 | 0.03% | 0.66% |
| 2002 | 0.06% | 0.75% |
| 2001 | -3.77% | 0.75% |
| 2000 | -0.98% | 0.65% |
| 1999 | -0.43% | 0.59% |
| 1998 | -0.06% | 0.65% |
| 1997 | -0.49% | 0.76% |
| 1996 | -1.36% | 0.66% |
| 1995 | -0.69% | 0.7% |
| 1994 | 1.12% | 0.94% |
| 1993 | 0.54% | 1% |
| 1992 | -2.41% | 1.04% |
| 1991 | -1.85% | 2.73% |
| 1990 | 0.21% | 0.98% |
| 1989 | 0.25% | 0.98% |
| 1988 | 0.33% | 0.82% |
| 1987 | 0.39% | 0.69% |
| 1986 | 0.43% | 1.68% |
| 1985 | 0.45% | 1.77% |
| 1984 | 0.47% | 0.02% |
| 1983 | 0.52% | 1.42% |
| 1982 | 0.49% | 2.17% |
| 1981 | 0.25% | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 0.11% | 1.05% |
| 1979 | 0.3% | 1.02% |
| 1978 | 0.47% | 1.05% |
| 1977 | 0.52% | 0.39% |
| 1976 | 0.53% | 0.51% |
| 1975 | 0.48% | 0.74% |
| 1974 | 0.46% | -0.07% |
| 1973 | 0.44% | -0.08% |
| 1972 | 0.44% | -0.08% |
| 1971 | 0.43% | 0.02% |
| 1970 | 0.47% | -0.54% |
| 1969 | 0.59% | -1.17% |
| 1968 | 0.62% | -1.17% |
| 1967 | 0.65% | -1.16% |
| 1966 | 0.7% | -1.13% |
| 1965 | 0.66% | -0.76% |
| 1964 | 0.64% | -0.4% |
| 1963 | 0.69% | -0.42% |
| 1962 | 0.71% | -0.42% |
| 1961 | 0.65% | -0.4% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/croatia/malta | CC BY
In 2025, the population of Croatia grew by 0.26%, while Malta's population grew by 1.91%.
Live population counters
|
Croatia
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
3849788
|
586345
|
| Population rank | 130/197 | 167/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.05% | 0.007% |
| One net population change |
52.7 minutes
|
48.5 minutes
|
| One birth every |
16.4 minutes
|
2 hours
|
| One death every |
10.3 minutes
|
2.11 hours
|
| Daily growth/decline | +27 | +30 |
| Annual growth/decline | +10,000 | +10,857 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.26% | +1.91% |
| Population growth rate rank | 147/197 | 52/197 |
| One migration net change every |
2.52 hours
|
1.7 hours
|
| Annual migration change | -3,481 | +5,161 |
| Net migration rank | 112/196 | 52/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 527,831 | 199,466 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 78/195 | 112/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 13.6% | 37% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 50/195 | 15/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Croatia
|
Malta
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -3,481 | - | 5,161 |
| 2024 | -18,944 | -5,186 | 228 | 6,323 |
| 2023 | -19,298 | 10,202 | 442 | 6,591 |
| 2022 | -23,134 | 11,681 | 54 | 2,480 |
| 2021 | -26,377 | -4,517 | 259 | 4,638 |
| 2020 | -21,137 | -8,552 | 361 | 6,904 |
| 2019 | -15,798 | -13,239 | 655 | 20,302 |
| 2018 | -15,556 | -25,016 | 774 | 16,961 |
| 2017 | -16,974 | -44,557 | 747 | 14,372 |
| 2016 | -14,374 | -32,144 | 1,091 | 8,624 |
| 2015 | -17,022 | -27,501 | 888 | 9,588 |
| 2014 | -11,344 | -13,127 | 910 | 9,192 |
| 2013 | -10,585 | -6,245 | 807 | 861 |
| 2012 | -9,799 | -4,794 | 714 | 911 |
| 2011 | -9,846 | -17,463 | 916 | 999 |
| 2010 | -8,591 | -3,995 | 871 | 741 |
| 2009 | -7,319 | 1,358 | 825 | 836 |
| 2008 | -8,188 | 6,495 | 777 | 869 |
| 2007 | -10,335 | 8,893 | 691 | 926 |
| 2006 | -8,669 | 10,852 | 568 | 997 |
| 2005 | -9,022 | 10,629 | 727 | 1,626 |
| 2004 | -9,040 | 15,445 | 883 | 1,662 |
| 2003 | -12,480 | 12,556 | 917 | 1,626 |
| 2002 | -10,325 | 10,306 | 911 | 1,821 |
| 2001 | -8,599 | 19,298 | 1,061 | 1,678 |
| 2000 | -6,255 | -47,629 | 1,482 | 1,591 |
| 1999 | -6,769 | -47,418 | 1,357 | 1,463 |
| 1998 | -4,985 | -47,931 | 1,656 | 1,260 |
| 1997 | 3,175 | -52,897 | 1,991 | 1,003 |
| 1996 | 3,190 | -53,688 | 2,279 | 1,142 |
| 1995 | 0 | -51,882 | 1,887 | 1,306 |
| 1994 | -930 | -50,444 | 2,136 | 1,136 |
| 1993 | -2,301 | -49,615 | 2,451 | 1,006 |
| 1992 | -4,576 | -47,865 | 2,573 | 737 |
| 1991 | -2,813 | -31,968 | 2,438 | 763 |
| 1990 | 3,344 | 9,538 | 2,621 | 568 |
| 1989 | 3,337 | 8,471 | 2,981 | 248 |
| 1988 | 5,707 | 7,242 | 2,813 | 164 |
| 1987 | 6,161 | 6,956 | 2,412 | 295 |
| 1986 | 8,499 | 6,261 | 2,395 | 464 |
| 1985 | 10,343 | 5,550 | 2,590 | -428 |
| 1984 | 10,764 | 5,757 | 2,678 | -558 |
| 1983 | 10,714 | 6,323 | 2,512 | -740 |
| 1982 | 15,756 | 7,475 | 2,835 | -1,059 |
| 1981 | 15,680 | 4,872 | 2,233 | -548 |
| 1980 | 17,939 | -5,486 | 2,375 | -886 |
| 1979 | 21,136 | -5,740 | 2,852 | -1,311 |
| 1978 | 20,157 | -7,329 | 2,389 | -1,302 |
| 1977 | 22,798 | -7,339 | 2,916 | -1,598 |
| 1976 | 22,226 | -7,400 | 2,721 | -1,641 |
| 1975 | 21,658 | -7,366 | 2,829 | -1,742 |
| 1974 | 22,453 | -8,076 | 2,687 | -1,597 |
| 1973 | 21,904 | -8,335 | 2,327 | -1,549 |
| 1972 | 17,802 | -7,277 | 2,480 | -1,316 |
| 1971 | 19,941 | -5,608 | 2,482 | -1,327 |
| 1970 | 16,767 | -2,359 | 2,270 | -1,123 |
| 1969 | 16,688 | -2,796 | 2,069 | -827 |
| 1968 | 21,828 | -2,799 | 2,247 | -753 |
| 1967 | 26,032 | -3,518 | 2,306 | -4,073 |
| 1966 | 33,192 | -6,341 | 2,458 | -4,318 |
| 1965 | 31,251 | -5,253 | 2,646 | -4,329 |
| 1964 | 25,942 | -2,090 | 3,630 | -4,768 |
| 1963 | 31,270 | -1,289 | 3,709 | -4,773 |
| 1962 | 30,216 | -2,176 | 4,664 | -5,360 |
| 1961 | 36,255 | -6,567 | 4,748 | -5,099 |
| 1960 | 34,778 | -21,768 | 5,747 | -5,540 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/croatia/malta | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 57.6% of the population change in Croatia is from natural causes (a loss of 188,614 people) and 42.4% is from migration (a loss of 138,829 people). In Malta 5.38% is from natural causes (a gain of 5,499 people) and 94.6% is from migration (a gain of 96,783 people).
As of 2024, 527,831 residents or 13.6% of the population were not native-born in Croatia, compared to 199,466 people or 37% in Malta.
Biggest cities by population
|
Croatia
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Zagreb | 767K |
| Split | 161K |
| Rijeka | 108K |
| Osijek | 96.3K |
| Zadar | 70.8K |
| Velika Gorica | 61.1K |
| Pula | 52.2K |
| Slavonski Brod | 49.9K |
| Karlovac | 49.4K |
| Sibenik | 42.6K |
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| St. Paul's Bay | 40.2K |
| Mosta | 25.5K |
| Birkirkara | 24.4K |
| Naxxar | 18.1K |
| Zabbar | 18K |
| Sliema | 16.9K |
| San Gwann | 16.1K |
| Marsaskala | 15.6K |
| Gzira | 8.03K |
| Valletta | 6.44K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Croatia and Malta
|
Croatia
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 79.1 years | 83.8 years |
| Average age | 44.8 years | 43.2 years |
| Median age | 46.3 years | 42.1 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 48.3:51.7 | 51.9:48.1 |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 births per woman | 1.01 births per woman |
| Population density | 178.2 ppl/mi² | 4,737 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/croatia/malta | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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