Updated
Overview
Croatia has about 80% more people than Slovenia: 3.88 million against 2.13 million (2025).
Croatia's economy is 32% larger than Slovenia's, at $105.06B versus $79.65B.
Per person, Slovenia is the wealthier of the two: $37,376 against $27,104 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Croatia | Slovenia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $105.06B | $79.65B | 2025 | $92.53B / $72.48B |
| GDP per capita | $27,104 | Higher: $37,376 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.4% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.7% | Lower: 2.4% | 2025 | 3.0% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | 5.0% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 53 | 63 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,494 | Higher: $3,694 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,096 | Higher: $1,444 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 3.88 million | 2.13 million | 2025 | 4.07 million / 2.10 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.3 yrs | 44.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.47 | 1.58 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 58% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 56,594 km² | 20,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 68.5/km² | 105.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 18 Mt | Lower: 13 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.8 t | 6.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $1.63B | $951.90M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 20,000 | 7,000 | 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 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.7% in Croatia and 2.4% in Slovenia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Croatia: a price level of 53 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Slovenia: $3,694 against $2,494 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 45.3 (Croatia) and 44.7 (Slovenia).
Life expectancy is 3.4 years longer in Slovenia (82.3 vs 78.9).
Geography
By land area, Croatia is 2.8 times the size of Slovenia: 56,594 km² versus 20,273 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Croatia spends about 70% more on defence than Slovenia: $1.63B versus $951.90M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Croatia fields the larger armed forces: 20,000 personnel against 7,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Croatia bigger than Slovenia?
- Croatia is larger by land area. Croatia covers 56,594 km² while Slovenia covers 20,273 km², so Croatia is 2.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Croatia or Slovenia?
- Croatia has the larger population: 3.88 million versus 2.13 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Croatia richer than Slovenia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Slovenia is richer: $37,376 against $27,104. Total GDP tells a different story: $105.06B for Croatia versus $79.65B for Slovenia.
- Who spends more on their military, Croatia or Slovenia?
- Croatia spends more: $1.63B versus $951.90M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).