Review article

https://doi.org/10.59323/k.17.1.10

Dynamic and Structural-Demographic Characteristics of the Population of Croatia in the Period 1953-2021

Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić ; Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Krešimir Ivanda ; University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics and Busines, Zagreb, Croatia
Petar Feletar ; University of Zagreb Faculty of Transport Scicences, Zagreb, Hrvatska *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The basis of every demographic analysis, i.e. the research of dynamic
and structural-demographic features, trends, phenomena, relations and
processes in a specific time (inter-census) period and in a particular area
(country, region, settlement), is empirical statistical data collected using
different techniques and methods, among which, throughout history,
population censuses have been particularly important. These are highly
extensive statistical operations, which are designed to gather various
data on the population, households, apartments and farms. The principles
and criteria of modern population censuses (completeness, periodicity,
reference moment of the census, definitions of the total population, definitions
of individual categories of the population, etc.) were established
in the middle of the 19th century and, with minor modifications, are still
applied today. In recent times, “classic” population censuses, that is, enumeration
in the “field”, are increasingly giving way to new techniques
and methods of collecting data on the population (population size and its
structural characteristics). In this context, online enumeration (“self-enumeration”)
and registration lists are increasingly important. Accordingly,
census methodologies have been adapted, resulting in each population census employing its own methodology, which causes inconsistencies
that prevent direct comparison of all collected data. Considering the devastating
demographic development of Croatia and the available census
data, this paper will show the average age of the population of Croatia
from 1953-2021, the aging index and age coefficients in the period from
1953-2021, population by nationality 1971-2021, population by religion
2001 -2021, population according to mother tongue 1991-2021 and population
of Croatia according to highest completed school and gender
from 1961-2021.

Keywords

census data ; Croatia ; demography ; migration ; population

Hrčak ID:

347081

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/347081

Publication date:

1.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 418 *