The latest report by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS) on indicators of poverty and social exclusion for 2025 has revealed a worrying picture of everyday life in Croatia.

According to official data, the at-risk-of-poverty rate in the Republic of Croatia stands at 19.5 percent, which in practice means that nearly every fifth resident of the country is in a financially unfavorable position. Although this figure may at first glance seem like mere statistics, it vividly illustrates deep social inequalities and the fragility of the standard of living of a large number of citizens.

What does it actually mean to be at risk of poverty?

To help the general public better understand these figures, it is important to clarify what statisticians mean by the concept of risk of poverty. It does not necessarily refer to people who have been left completely without means of subsistence, but rather to those whose annual disposable income is below the threshold considered necessary for a dignified life in relation to the rest of society. For 2025, that threshold was set at 9,034 euros per year for a single-person household, which amounts to about 753 euros per month. For a family of four with two children, that threshold is 18,972 euros per year. Anyone earning less than the stated amounts officially falls into the category of persons at risk.

Regional differences and the most vulnerable groups in society

DZS data indicate that prosperity in Croatia is not evenly distributed. The most difficult situation is in Pannonian Croatia, where the at-risk-of-poverty rate reaches a high 28.6 percent. On the other hand, the City of Zagreb records the lowest rate at 11.4 percent, confirming the strong centralization of economic power in the capital. When we look at age groups, our oldest fellow citizens are the most vulnerable. As many as 39.4 percent of persons older than 65 are at risk of poverty, and that figure rises to a staggering 42.4 percent when it comes to women of that age. Single-person households of older people are particularly vulnerable, where the risk rate amounts to an incredible 64.4 percent.

Life on the edge and the inability to make ends meet

Statistics on material deprivation, or hardship, reveal how difficult it is for citizens to meet basic living needs. More than 31 percent of Croatia’s residents cannot cover an unexpected financial expense of 494 euros from their own funds, which means that any major household breakdown or urgent need would represent an unsolvable problem for them. Furthermore, nearly every third person in the country cannot afford a week of annual vacation away from home. When it comes to everyday survival, only 1.5 percent of citizens stated that they make ends meet very easily, while the majority of the population, more than 43 percent of them, do so with some difficulty.

The role of the state and social transfers

One of the key conclusions of the research is the crucial role of social benefits and pensions in the stability of society. If the state did not pay social transfers such as child benefits or unemployment benefits, the at-risk-of-poverty rate would jump from 19.5 to 25.5 percent. An even more dramatic figure emerges if pensions are also excluded from the calculation. In that case, as many as 37.8 percent of the population would be at risk of poverty. These data clearly show that pensions and social benefits are the most important barrier keeping a large share of Croatian citizens above the surface of complete poverty.

Interesting points from the report worth highlighting

Analyzing employment status, it is interesting to note that employment is not an absolute guarantee of security, but it helps significantly. Among employed persons, the risk rate is only 6.1 percent, while among the unemployed it jumps to 42.1 percent. Also, the data show that single parents with dependent children are at significantly greater risk (29.7 percent) than families with two adults and two children (10.2 percent). Another interesting correlation relates to housing status. People who live as tenants in rented accommodation are more often at risk than those who own their own property.

Statistics as a call to action

Although Croatia is often perceived through tourism successes and economic growth, these DZS data serve as a sober reminder of the reality lived by one fifth of our fellow citizens. The fact that older single people, and especially women, are exposed to poverty to such an extent is an alarm for society as a whole and for public policy makers. The social welfare system and the pension system currently serve as a necessary safety net, but without more serious structural changes and more balanced regional development, the gap between the rich and the poor in Croatia will continue to deepen. Statistics do not only tell us who is poor today, but also warn us whom we might leave behind tomorrow.