Updated
Overview
Serbia has about 70% more people than Croatia: 6.55 million against 3.88 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $99.95B for Serbia and $105.06B for Croatia.
Per person, Croatia is the wealthier of the two: $27,104 against $15,262 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Serbia | Croatia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $99.95B | Higher: $105.06B | 2025 | $89.08B / $92.53B |
| GDP per capita | $15,262 | Higher: $27,104 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.0% | Higher: 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 3.7% | 2025 | 4.7% / 3.0% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 45 | 53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,559 | Higher: $2,494 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $696 | Higher: $1,096 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.55 million | 3.88 million | 2025 | 6.65 million / 4.07 million |
| Population growth | -0.6% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.4 yrs | 45.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 58% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 88% | 84% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 77,474 km² | 56,594 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 84.5/km² | 68.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 42 Mt | Lower: 18 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | Lower: 4.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.32B | $1.63B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 32,000 | 20,000 | 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 2.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in Serbia and 3.7% in Croatia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Serbia: a price level of 45 versus 53 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Croatia: $2,494 against $1,559 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 44.4 (Serbia) and 45.3 (Croatia).
Life expectancy is 3.0 years longer in Croatia (78.9 vs 76.0).
Geography
By land area, Serbia is 37% larger than Croatia: 77,474 km² versus 56,594 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Serbia spends about 45% more on defence than Croatia: $2.32B versus $1.63B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Serbia carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.8%.
Serbia fields the larger armed forces: 32,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Serbia bigger than Croatia?
- Serbia is larger by land area. Serbia covers 77,474 km² while Croatia covers 56,594 km², so Serbia is 37% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Serbia or Croatia?
- Serbia has the larger population: 6.55 million versus 3.88 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Serbia richer than Croatia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Croatia is richer: $27,104 against $15,262. Total GDP tells the same story: $99.95B for Serbia versus $105.06B for Croatia.
- Who spends more on their military, Serbia or Croatia?
- Serbia spends more: $2.32B versus $1.63B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).