Croatia in top six countries with most elderly citizens in EU
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Zagreb
Europe is undergoing a demographic shift that will have far-reaching consequences in the coming decades.
A combination of persistently low birth rates and rising life expectancy is reshaping its population, leading to a rapidly ageing society.
According to the latest data from Eurostat, as of 1 January 2024, the EU’s population stood at 449.3 million. Just 14.6% were children aged 0–14, while people of working age (15–64) made up 63.8%.
The elderly population (aged 65 and over) accounted for 21.6%, a clear sign of the growing ageing trend.
Croatia in the Top Tier for Elderly Share
Croatia is among the EU countries with the highest proportion of elderly citizens.
In 2024, 23.0% of Croatia’s population was aged 65 and over, placing it in the top six EU nations for this demographic – alongside Italy (24.3%), Portugal (24.1%), Bulgaria (23.8%), Finland (23.4%), and Greece (23.3%).
This marks a significant rise of 4.5 percentage points over the past decade, one of the largest increases among EU members. The EU average increase over the same period was 2.9 points.
Croatia’s Median Age Holds Steady
The median age across the EU rose to 44.7 years in 2024. Croatia’s median age remained unchanged from 2023, reflecting a pause in the upward trend seen elsewhere.
Still, this stability comes in a context of long-term ageing, with most EU countries seeing increases of 2–4 years over the last decade.
Fewer Workers to Support the Elderly
The old-age dependency ratio — which measures the number of elderly people compared to those of working age — is also rising. In 2024, the EU’s ratio stood at 33.9%, meaning there are just over three working-age people for every person over 65.
Croatia’s old-age dependency ratio was above the EU average and stood at 36.6%.
This trend signals increased pressure on pensions, healthcare, and social support systems.
EU projections show that population ageing will continue. By 2100, those aged 65 and over are expected to make up 32.5% of the EU population, and the old-age dependency ratio is projected to almost double to 59.7%.
Notably, the proportion of people aged 80 and above is expected to more than double, from 6.1% in 2024 to 15.3% in 2100, meaning the elderly population will not only grow, but grow older.
