The Human Truth Foundation

Croatia (Republic of Croatia)

http://www.humantruth.info/croatia.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#croatia

Croatia
Republic of Croatia
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index42nd best
CapitalZagreb
Land Area 55 960km21
LocationEurope, The Mediterranean
Population4.2m2
Life Expectancy77.58yrs (2017)3
GNI$30 132 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesHR, HRV, 1915
Internet Domain.hr6
CurrencyKuna (HRK)7
Telephone+3858

1. Overview

The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. In April 2009, Croatia joined NATO; Croatia signed the EU Accession Treaty in December 2011 and ratified the Treaty in January, 2012.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverCroatia´s rare blend of glamour and authenticity make it Europe´s `it´ destination, where beaches vie for attention with cultural treasures, ancient architecture and time-tested folk traditions. Croatia has been touted as the `new this´ and the `new that´ for years since its re-emergence on the tourism scene, but it´s now clear that it´s a unique destination that holds its own and then some: this is a country with a glorious 1778km-long coast and a staggering 1244 islands. The Adriatic coast is a knockout: its sapphire waters draw visitors to remote islands, hidden coves and traditional fishing villages, all while touting the glitzy beach and yacht scene. Istria captivates with its gastronomic delights and wines, and the bars, clubs and festivals of Zagreb, Zadar and Split remain little-explored gems. Eight national parks showcase primeval beauty with their forests, mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. You can end your journey in dazzling, historic Dubrovnik in the south - just the right conclusion to any trip. Best of all, Croatia hasn´t given in to mass tourism: there are pockets of unique culture and plenty to discover off the grid.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Croatia National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
37Saudi Arabia0.875
38Portugal0.866
39Latvia0.863
40Croatia0.858
41Andorra0.858
42Qatar0.855
43Chile0.855
44San Marino0.853
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
45Turkey$31 033
46Slovakia$30 690
47Bahamas$30 486
48Croatia$30 132
49Romania$30 027
50Greece$29 002
51Russia$27 166
52Oman$27 054
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Taiwan22.4
2Norway23.7
3Denmark24.6
...
39Romania47.9
40Kosovo48.3
41Monaco48.3
42Croatia49.2
43Bulgaria49.6
44Liechtenstein49.7
45Lithuania49.7
46Mauritius51.0
Europe Avg44.8
World Avg67.3
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Croatia's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Croatia's population is predicted to rise to 4.185 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.49. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
125Central African Rep.4.7m
126Mauritania4.4m
127Panama4.2m
128Croatia4.2m
129Kuwait4.1m
130Moldova4.1m
131Georgia4.0m
132Eritrea3.5m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
41Antigua & Barbuda78.5
42China78.2
43Czechia77.7
44Croatia77.6
45Barbados77.6
46USA77.2
47Estonia77.1
48Costa Rica77.0
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
78Latvia1.50
79Czechia1.50
80Spain1.50
81Croatia1.49
82Dominican Rep.2.51
83Lithuania1.49
84Kazakhstan2.52
85Ukraine1.48
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3Chad04.7
...
169Belgium38.1
170Switzerland38.3
171Canada38.5
172Croatia39.7
173Malta39.9
174France40.5
175Austria40.5
176Greece41.3
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
38Gabon13.8%
39St Kitts & Nevis13.7%
40Seychelles13.6%
41Croatia13.4%
42UK13.4%
43Latvia13.2%
44Spain12.8%
45Iceland12.5%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
31Micronesia19.7%
32Belarus18.4%
33Eritrea18.0%
34Croatia17.1%
35Liechtenstein17.1%
36Cyprus17.0%
37Marshall Islands16.6%
38Ireland16.1%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#Croatia #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #italy #morals #politics #prejudice #serbia #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
47Mexico56.4
48Ecuador57.9
49Greece58.1
50Croatia58.1
51Albania59.3
52Ukraine59.5
Europe Avg51.4
World Avg87.9
q=199.
Croatia does relatively well in ensuring human rights and freedom, compared to many other countries. Croatia comes in the best 20 in terms of its nominal commitment to Human Rights18. It does better than average in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports19 (but bad for Europe), LGBT equality20, opposing gender inequality21, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms22 (but bad for Europe) and in supporting press freedom23 (but bad for Europe). But, things still need to improve in Croatia. Croatia does worse than average when it comes to its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice24, speed of uptake of HR treaties25 and in freethought26. The Roman Catholic Church and related national religious bodies systematically undermine women's rights, family planning and LGBT tolerance in Croatia, including applying direct pressure to doctors and medical staff27. The Catholic hold on children's education is used to teach prejudiced and biased doctrine, especially to attack the non-religious27. In order to maintain basic human rights, the Catholic Church and its national outlets need to be strictly disestablished and prevented from abusing its power.

Croatia has not been dealing with asylum seekers fairly, deporting some to Serbia without examining their cases28 and returning others to Italy, therefore forcing other countries to bear an unfair portion, and damaging the lives of those seeking asylum.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Croatia's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #Croatia #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3Finland65.3
...
22UK81.1
23Slovakia81.1
24Macedonia82.5
25Croatia82.9
26Poland83.5
27Czechia83.6
28France83.8
29Bosnia & Herzegovina84.0
30Albania84.0
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
55Brazil82.1
56Cuba82.4
57Macedonia82.5
58Croatia82.9
59Turkmenistan83.1
60Tajikistan83.1
61Canada83.5
62Poland83.5
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives30. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau30.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean30, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa30.

For more, see:

Health:

Croatia does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Croatia does better than average for its fertility rate13, its adolescent birth rate21, its average life expectancy11 and in its immunizations take-up31. But, things could still be better. Croatia does worse than average in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance32, its alcohol consumption rate33 (still good for Europe) and in its smoking rate34. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 for its suicide rate35. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Croatia improved by +6.5yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
41Antigua & Barbuda78.5
42China78.2
43Czechia77.7
44Croatia77.6
45Barbados77.6
46USA77.2
47Estonia77.1
48Costa Rica77.0
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
33
Pos.2016
Per Capita33
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
129Vietnam8.4
130Ukraine8.6
131Netherlands8.7
132Croatia8.9
133Cameroon8.9
134Canada8.9
135Rwanda9.0
136Iceland9.1
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
78Latvia1.50
79Czechia1.50
80Spain1.50
81Croatia1.49
82Dominican Rep.2.51
83Lithuania1.49
84Kazakhstan2.52
85Ukraine1.48
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
34
Pos.201434
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
158Switzerland1 634
159Serbia1 644
160Cyprus1 688
161Croatia1 709
162Japan1 713
163Hungary1 759
164Estonia1 775
165Ukraine1 854
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate35
Pos.2013
Per 100k35
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
73France33.2
74Moldova35.7
75Switzerland36.2
76Croatia36.4
77Estonia37.9
78Serbia38.1
79Finland39
80Belgium39.1
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
80Uruguay80
81Dominican Rep.81
82Zambia82
83Croatia83
84Indonesia84
85Bolivia85
86Kyrgyzstan86
87Moldova87
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better36
Pos.2016
%36
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
136France59.5
137Belgium59.5
138Lithuania59.6
139Croatia59.6
140El Salvador59.9
141Dominica60.3
142Morocco60.4
143Ireland60.6
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
21
Pos.2015
Per 100021
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
27Bosnia & Herzegovina8.6
28Saudi Arabia8.8
29France8.9
30Croatia9.5
31Israel9.7
32Canada9.8
33Kuwait9.8
34Portugal9.9
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
31
Pos.2015
Avg %31
1Hungary99.0
2China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
48Rwanda96.1
49Sao Tome & Principe96.0
50Malaysia96.0
51Croatia95.9
52Nicaragua95.9
53Tunisia95.7
54Japan95.7
55Portugal95.7
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Croatia's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)37
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank37
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
...
25Slovakia39.5
26Portugal40.1
27Greece40.9
28Croatia44.3
29Ukraine47.1
30Bulgaria47.3
31Liechtenstein47.7
32Romania49.1
33Turkey50.1
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)37
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank37
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
37Russia40.6
38Greece40.9
39Argentina43.8
40Croatia44.3
41Ukraine47.1
42Bulgaria47.3
43Liechtenstein47.7
44Romania49.1
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2938
2Israel4.1138
3Japan3.5838
...
38Malta0.8939
39Greece0.8438
40India0.8240
41Croatia0.8139
42Kenya0.7941
43Ukraine0.7639
44Morocco0.7341
45S. Africa0.7342
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
43
Pos.201843
1Luxembourg100.0%
2Estonia100.0%
3Austria100.0%
...
20Moldova96.4%
21Germany96.3%
22Russia95.9%
23Croatia95.7%
24Azerbaijan95.6%
25USA95.6%
26Norway95.4%
27S. Korea95.2%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
44
Pos.2021
Years44
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
56Liechtenstein15.2
57Mauritius15.2
58Belarus15.2
59Croatia15.1
60Montenegro15.1
61Hungary15.0
62Mongolia15.0
63Ukraine15.0
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
30Romania30
31Cyprus31
32Ireland32
33Croatia33
34Israel34
35Barbados35
36Estonia36
37Luxembourg37
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
45
Pos.2015
Score45
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
33Italy1456
34Luxembourg1450
35Iceland1443
36Croatia1426
37Lithuania1425
38Hungary1424
39Israel1416
40Argentina140646
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
47
Pos.2018
%47
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
38Portugal36
39Azerbaijan38
40Chile41
41Croatia42
42Moldova42
43Argentina43
44Mexico45
45Kyrgyzstan47
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better48
Pos.200648
1Hong Kong108
2Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
53Lithuania91
54Cambodia91
55Albania90
56Croatia90
57Kyrgyzstan90
58Chile90
59Costa Rica89
60Laos89
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
49
Pos.201649
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
42Lithuania77%
43Latvia76%
44Lebanon76%
45Croatia74%
46Hong Kong74%
47Cayman Islands74%
48Macau73%
49Israel73%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
50
Pos.2017
Ratio50
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
74Iran0.1
75Zambia0.1
76Panama0.1
77Croatia0.1
78Costa Rica0.1
79Serbia0.1
80Liechtenstein0.0
81Cyprus0.0
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
51
Pos.2022
%51
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
78Hong Kong37.0
79Cameroon37.0
80Iraq37.0
81Croatia37.0
82Moldova37.0
83Israel37.0
84Mauritius37.0
85Lithuania37.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
52
Pos.2022
Points52
1Denmark90.0
2Finland87.0
3New Zealand87.0
...
54Rwanda51.0
55Malta51.0
56Saudi Arabia51.0
57Croatia50.0
58Mauritius50.0
59Namibia49.0
60Vanuatu48.0
61Jordan47.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness
Higher is better
53
Pos.2018
Score53
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
79Greece5.4
80Tajikistan5.4
81Montenegro5.3
82Croatia5.3
83Dominican Rep.5.3
84Algeria5.3
85Morocco5.3
86China5.2
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
35New Zealand35
36Belize36
37Iceland37
38Croatia38
39Bulgaria39
40Marshall Islands40
41Malaysia41
42Namibia42
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
13Austria13
14Germany14
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

8. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
54
Pos.2023
Score54
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
11Canada1.35
12Czechia1.38
13Finland1.40
14Croatia1.45
15Germany1.46
16Netherlands1.49
17Bhutan1.50
18Hungary1.51
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
143Belize143
144Haiti144
145Libya145
146Croatia146
147UAE147
148Central African Rep.148
149Bosnia & Herzegovina149
150Seychelles150
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
32
Pos.2017
Rank32
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
55Zambia55
56Lithuania56
57Ukraine57
58Croatia58
59Bangladesh59
60Seychelles60
61Philippines61
62Indonesia62
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
55
Pos.2019
Score55
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
4Equatorial Guinea0.00
5Cambodia0.00
6Portugal0.00
7Croatia0.00
8Benin0.00
9Mauritania0.00
10Slovenia0.00
11Costa Rica0.00
12Romania0.00
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

9. The Natural Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
56
Pos.2015
%56
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
...
60Lebanon+04.8
61Gabon+04.5
62Ukraine+04.1
63Croatia+03.8
64Iraq+03.3
65USA+02.7
66Georgia+02.6
67Austria+02.5
Europe Avg+15.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
57
Pos.201857
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
38Turkmenistan66.1
39Seychelles66.0
40Albania65.5
41Croatia65.5
42Colombia65.2
43Hungary65.0
44Belarus65.0
45Romania64.8
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better58
Pos.201458
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
47Brazil10.10
48Algeria10.00
49Macedonia10.00
50Croatia10.00
51France09.90
52Lebanon09.90
53Hungary09.80
54Latvia09.80
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1China1993 Dec 29
2Guinea1993 Dec 29
3Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
161Turkmenistan1996 Dec 17
162Laos1996 Dec 19
163Haiti1996 Dec 24
164Croatia1997 Jan 05
165Belgium1997 Feb 20
166Dominican Rep.1997 Feb 23
167Turkey1997 May 15
168Gabon1997 Jun 12
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better59
Pos.2011
%59
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
73Mongolia38.4%
74Hungary38.0%
75Mauritania38.0%
76Croatia37.8%
77Cambodia37.1%
78Namibia36.6%
79Germany36.1%
80Montenegro35.9%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better60
Pos.201960
1Iceland2.40
2Singapore2.50
3Hong Kong2.50
...
28Germany3.80
29UK4.10
30Hungary4.20
31Croatia4.30
32Poland4.30
33New Zealand4.30
34Belarus4.40
35Canada4.60
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better61
Pos.2017
%61
1Ukraine25.0
2Belarus25.4
3Slovenia25.4
...
23Austria30.5
24Sao Tome & Principe30.8
25Poland30.8
26Croatia31.1
27S. Korea31.6
28Germany31.7
29Egypt31.8
30Ireland31.8
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #catholicism #christianity #croatia #democracy #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)47
Pos.Lower is better
%47
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
38Portugal36
39Azerbaijan38
40Chile41
41Croatia42
42Moldova42
43Argentina43
44Mexico45
45Kyrgyzstan47
46Kosovo48
47Tajikistan50
48Romania50
49Georgia51
50Armenia53
51USA53
52Bosnia & Herzegovina54
53Greece56
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)62
Pos.Higher is better
%62
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
42Trinidad & Tobago9
43Albania8
44Dominican Rep.7
45Croatia7
46Kyrgyzstan7
47Cambodia7
48Moldova6
49Italy6
50Laos5
51Ireland5
52Mozambique5
53Zimbabwe4
54Namibia4
55Iran4
56Mexico4
57Portugal4
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below63:

Christian93.4%
Muslim1.4%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated5.1%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 94.9% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (7%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 95.2% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 42% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census)64.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Despite declining interest in religion, the Croatian government gifts huge amounts to the Catholic church as part of a mixture of legal and formal provisions, as well as through many indirect funding lines. Much of this is underpinned by four laws that were enacted in the 1990s without public consultation, causing controversy due to the hefty financial obligations involved, and, tying the Catholic Church in as a provider of services to law enforcement, education and curriculum content, politics and the armed forces.27. The RCC uses its influence in school to teach against other religions and especially against the non-religious27.

Policies that cause direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion are not consistent with democracy or human rights. So, although Article 40 of the Croatian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religion27, and Article 41 grants religious equality27, in reality there is much to do to remove the entrenchment of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) before freedom of thought and secular fairness can be attained.

Links:

There isn't much information in the database for Croatia, most likely because it is either a part of another country (i.e., a territory or possession) and therefore most international statistics are counted for the country as a whole, or, this is such an exotic place that little data exists about it.