Updated
Overview
Croatia has 23% more people than Bosnia and Herzegovina: 3.88 million against 3.14 million (2025).
Croatia's economy is 3.2 times the size of Bosnia and Herzegovina's, at $105.06B versus $32.60B.
Per person, Croatia is the wealthier of the two: $27,104 against $10,382 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Croatia | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $105.06B | $32.60B | 2025 | $92.53B / $28.34B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $27,104 | $10,382 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.4% | 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.7% | 6.1% | 2025 / 2023 | 3.0% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.0% | 11.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 53 | 40 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,494 | $925 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,096 | $346 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 3.88 million | 3.14 million | 2025 | 4.07 million / 3.65 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | -0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.3 yrs | 45.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.47 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 78.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 58% | 53% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 86% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 56,594 km² | 51,209 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 68.5/km² | 61.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 18 Mt | 19 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.8 t | 6.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.63B | $215.97M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 20,000 | 11,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Croatia is growing faster: 3.4% annual GDP growth versus 2.1%.
Bosnia and Herzegovina runs the hotter price environment: 6.1% inflation versus 3.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a price level of 40 versus 53 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Croatia: $2,494 against $925 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 45.3 (Croatia) and 45.7 (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Geography
By land area, Croatia is 11% larger than Bosnia and Herzegovina: 56,594 km² versus 51,209 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Croatia spends 7.5 times as much on defence as Bosnia and Herzegovina: $1.63B versus $215.97M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Croatia carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Croatia fields the larger armed forces: 20,000 personnel against 11,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Croatia bigger than Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Croatia is larger by land area. Croatia covers 56,594 km² while Bosnia and Herzegovina covers 51,209 km², so Croatia is 11% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Croatia or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Croatia has the larger population: 3.88 million versus 3.14 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Croatia richer than Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Croatia is richer: $27,104 against $10,382. Total GDP tells the same story: $105.06B for Croatia versus $32.60B for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Who spends more on their military, Croatia or Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Croatia spends more: $1.63B versus $215.97M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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