Croatia: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Croatia?

19.5% of people in Croatia were at risk of poverty in 2025, according to the DZS release on Indicators of Poverty and Social Exclusion. The poverty threshold was 9,034 euro a year for a single person and 18,972 euro for two adults with two children under 14. 20.7% of people were at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

This is a relative measure: it counts people whose equivalised household income is below 60% of the national median, so it does not show how many people are poor in an absolute sense. Without social transfers the rate would be 25.5%. Rates differ by region, from 11.4% in the City of Zagreb to 28.6% in Pannonian Croatia.

Official sources: DZS: Indicators of Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2025

What is the average household income in Croatia?

Average disposable income per household was 27,586 euro in 2025, according to the DZS poverty and social exclusion release, based on the Survey on Income and Living Conditions. Average equivalised disposable income, which adjusts for household size, was 16,097 euro.

Disposable income is income after taxes and social contributions, including pensions and social benefits. The survey follows the EU-SILC rules used in every EU country. The release also gives the share of people in severe material and social deprivation, which was 2.0% in 2025.

Official sources: DZS: Indicators of Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2025

How much does electricity cost in Croatia?

Households using 2,500 to 5,000 kWh a year paid 0.1816 euro per kWh including taxes in the first half of 2026, according to Eurostat household electricity prices. That was up from 0.1652 euro in the second half of 2025. The EU average for the same band in the second half of 2025 was 0.2896 euro.

DZS notes in its deficit report that energy price measures introduced in 2022 were still applied in 2025. Energy was the fastest-rising part of consumer prices in September 2026, up 20.5% on the year, according to the DZS flash estimate.

Official sources: Eurostat: Electricity prices for household consumers · DZS: Consumer Price Indices, September 2026 - Flash Estimate

Are food prices rising in Croatia?

Prices of food, beverages and tobacco were 0.2% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the DZS flash estimate, and fell 0.2% on the month. Overall consumer prices rose 4.7% on the year, driven by energy (up 20.5%) and services (up 7.6%).

The flash estimate groups food with drinks and tobacco; prices for individual food groups appear in the final monthly release, which DZS scheduled for 15 October 2026 on its consumer price indices page.

Official sources: DZS: Consumer Price Indices, September 2026 - Flash Estimate · DZS: Consumer price indices releases

What is the inflation rate in Croatia?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Croatia at 3.7% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 10.8%; its low point was 2016, at -1.1%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7%, and Croatia placed 25th highest of 48. Worldwide: 63rd of 165.

How much do households in Croatia spend per person?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in Croatia at $10,985 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $11,266, and Croatia placed 25th highest of 44. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 33rd highest.

How many people in Croatia live on under $3 a day?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2023, is 0.3%. Its high point since 2008 was 2010, at 1.4%; its low point was 2008, at 0.0%. Europe & Central Asia median: 0.4%; Croatia is 19th highest of 34. Worldwide: 42nd of 59.

What share of Croatia lives below the poverty line?

In 2024, the share of people below the national poverty line in Croatia was 20.3%, according to the World Bank. Europe & Central Asia median: 15.8%; Croatia is 5th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 15th of 31.

What is income inequality in Croatia?

30.1: that is the Gini index in Croatia for 2023, according to the World Bank. Since 2008 it has ranged from 28.9 (2019) to 33.7 (2008). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 31.5, and Croatia placed 20th highest of 34. World rank, highest first: 42nd of 59.

How many people in Croatia go hungry?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 4.9%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2015. Europe & Central Asia median: 7.6%; Croatia is 35th highest of 45. Worldwide: 121st of 135.