Updated
Overview
Croatia has 6.2 times the population of Montenegro: 3.88 million people against 623,129 (2025).
Croatia's economy is 11 times the size of Montenegro's, at $105.06B versus $9.23B.
Per person, Croatia is the wealthier of the two: $27,104 against $14,817 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Croatia | Montenegro | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $105.06B | $9.23B | 2025 | $92.53B / $8.07B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $27,104 | $14,817 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.4% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.7% | 3.9% | 2025 | 3.0% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.0% | 13.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 53 | 42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,494 | $930 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,096 | $757 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 3.88 million | 623,129 | 2025 | 4.07 million / 599,849 |
| Population growth | 0.3% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.3 yrs | 40.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.47 | 1.80 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 58% | 66% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 56,594 km² | 13,812 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 68.5/km² | 45.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 18 Mt | Lower: 2.38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.8 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.63B | $150.03M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 20,000 | 12,000 | 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 2.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.7% in Croatia and 3.9% in Montenegro.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Montenegro: a price level of 42 versus 53 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Croatia: $2,494 against $930 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Montenegro is the younger society: median age 40.0 versus 45.3 years.
Life expectancy is 1.0 years longer in Croatia (78.9 vs 77.9).
Geography
By land area, Croatia is 4.1 times the size of Montenegro: 56,594 km² versus 13,812 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Croatia spends 11 times as much on defence as Montenegro: $1.63B versus $150.03M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Croatia fields the larger armed forces: 20,000 personnel against 12,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Croatia bigger than Montenegro?
- Croatia is larger by land area. Croatia covers 56,594 km² while Montenegro covers 13,812 km², so Croatia is 4.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Croatia or Montenegro?
- Croatia has the larger population: 3.88 million versus 623,129 (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Croatia richer than Montenegro?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Croatia is richer: $27,104 against $14,817. Total GDP tells the same story: $105.06B for Croatia versus $9.23B for Montenegro.
- Who spends more on their military, Croatia or Montenegro?
- Croatia spends more: $1.63B versus $150.03M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).