Croatia’s economy continued its steady expansion at the end of last year, marking its 20th consecutive quarter of growth, according to preliminary data released by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS).
The national statistics office reported that gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.6 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the same period a year earlier. The figure represents a significant acceleration from the previous quarter, when the economy expanded by 2.3 percent.
Investment and Spending Drive Growth
The latest growth was driven primarily by a rise in investment activity, alongside stronger personal consumption and increased government spending. The data suggest that domestic demand remains a key engine of Croatia’s economic performance, helping to sustain momentum even as broader European growth remains modest.
According to seasonally adjusted figures from DZS, the economy expanded by 3.3 percent year-on-year in the final quarter, while quarter-on-quarter growth stood at 1.4 percent.
Outpacing the European Union
Croatia’s economic performance continues to outpace the European Union average. Recent figures from Eurostat show that the EU economy grew by just 0.3 percent quarter-on-quarter in the same period, while annual growth reached 1.4 percent.
The eurozone recorded identical quarterly growth of 0.3 percent, with annual expansion of 1.3 percent.
The contrast underscores Croatia’s comparatively robust economic trajectory, even as growth across much of Europe remains subdued amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and tighter financial conditions.
Outlook for 2026
Looking ahead, the Croatian National Bank (HNB) recently projected that GDP growth in 2026 will moderate to 2.8 percent, while inflation is expected to slow to 3.1 percent.
While economists anticipate a gradual cooling from the current pace, the latest figures confirm that Croatia remains one of the faster-growing economies within the European Union — extending a nearly five-year run of uninterrupted expansion.
@florinalex.films #split #croatia???????? #hrvatska #visitcroatia #dalmacija ♬ Ispod Sunca Zlatnoga – Oliver Dragojević