View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2000 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

4 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999)

Radios [time series]

1.51 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

domestic: reconstruction plan calls for replacement of all analog circuits with digital and enlarging the network; a backup will be included in the plan for the main trunk international: digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the TEL project which consists of two fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; Croatia is also investing in ADRIA 1, a joint fiber-optic project with Germany, Albania, and Greece (2000)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.477 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

187,000 (yearend 1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

36 (plus 321 repeaters) (September 1995)

Televisions [time series]

1.22 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, alfalfa, clover, olives, citrus, grapes, vegetables; livestock, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $6 billion expenditures: $4.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Croatian kuna (HRK) = 100 lipas

Debt - external [time series]

$8.1 billion (October 1999)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$NA

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. Croatia faces considerable economic problems stemming from: the legacy of longtime communist mismanagement of the economy; damage during the internecine fighting to bridges, factories, power lines, buildings, and houses; the large refugee and displaced population, both Croatian and Bosnian; and the disruption of economic ties. Western aid and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would help restore the economy. The government has been successful in some reform efforts - partially macroeconomic stabilization policies - and it has normalized relations with its creditors. Yet it still is struggling with privatization of large state enterprises and with bank reform. The recession that began at the end of 1998 continued through most of 1999, and GDP growth for the year was flat. Inflation remained in check and the kuna was stable. The death of President TUDJMAN in December 1999, and the defeat of his ruling Coatian Democratic Union or HDZ party in parliamentary and presidential elections in January 2000 has ushered in a new government committed to economic reform but faced with the challenge of halting the economic decline.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

12.949 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

900 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

5 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

9.515 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 42.72% hydro: 57.28% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

Croatian kuna per US$1 - 7.591 (January 2000), 7.112 (1999), 6.362 (1998), 6.157 (1997), 5.434 (1996), 5.230 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities [time series]

textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels

Exports - partners [time series]

Italy 21%, Germany 18%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 15%, Slovenia 12% (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $23.9 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 10% industry: 24% services: 66% (1996 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $5,100 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$8.4 billion (c.i.f., 1998)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery, transport and electrical equipment, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 20%, Italy 19%, Slovenia 8%, Austria 8% (1997)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-2% (1999 est.)

Industries [time series]

chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages; tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.4% (1999)

Labor force [time series]

1.65 million (1999)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

20% (1999 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 56,538 sq km land: 56,410 sq km water: 128 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast

Coastline [time series]

5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Dinara 1,830 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; widespread casualties and destruction of infrastructure in border areas affected by civil strife

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification

Geographic coordinates [time series]

45 10 N, 15 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits

Irrigated land [time series]

30 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,197 km border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km, Serbia and Montenegro 266 km (241 km with Serbia; 25 km with Montenegro), Slovenia 670 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 21% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 38% other: 19% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent and destructive earthquakes

Natural resources [time series]

oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular), 1 city (grad -singular)*: Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska Zupanija, Brodsko-Posavska Zupanija, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija, Istarska Zupanija, Karlovacka Zupanija, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija, Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija, Licko-Senjska Zupanija, Medimurska Zupanija, Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija, Pozesko-Slavonska Zupanija, Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija, Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija, Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija, Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija, Varazdinska Zupanija, Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija, Vukovarsko-Srijemska Zupanija, Zadarska Zupanija, Zagreb*, Zagrebacka Zupanija

Capital [time series]

Zagreb

Constitution [time series]

adopted on 22 December 1990

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local long form: Republika Hrvatska local short form: Hrvatska

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador William D. MONTGOMERY embassy: Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagreb mailing address: use street address telephone: [385] (1) 455-55-00 FAX: [385] (1) 455-85-85

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Miomir ZUZUL chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899 FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Ivica RACAN (since 27 January 2000); Deputy Prime Ministers Goran GRANIC (since NA February 2000), Zeljka ANTUNOVIC (since NA February 2000), Slavko LINIC (since NA February 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the president and the House of Representatives elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 7 February 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Stjepan MESIC elected president; percent of vote - Stjepan MESIC (HNS) 56%, Drazen BUDISA (HSLS) 44% note: government coalition - SDP, HSLS, HSS, LP, HNS, IDS

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered)

Government type [time series]

presidential/parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

International organization participation [time series]

BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the House of Representatives; Constitutional Court, judges appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by the House of Representatives

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Assembly or Sabor consists of the House of Counties or Zupanijski Dom (68 seats - 63 directly elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; members serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives or the Zastupnicki Dom (151 seats, members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: House of Counties - last held 13 April 1997 (next to be held NA 2001); House of Representatives - last held 2-3 January 2000 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: House of Counties - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HDZ 42, HDZ/HSS 11, HSS 2, IDS 2, SDP/PGS/HNS 2, SDP/HNS 2, HSLS/HSS/HNS 1, HSLS 1; note - in some districts certain parties ran as coalitions, while in others they ran alone; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HDZ 46, SDP 44, HSLS 24, HSS 17, HSP/HKDU 5, IDS 4, HNS 2, independents 4, others 5

National holiday [time series]

Statehood Day, 30 May (1990)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Action of the Social Democrats of Croatia or ASH [Silvije DEGEN]; Alliance of Croatian Coast and Mountains Department or PGS [Luciano SUSANJ]; Croatian Christian Democratic Union or HKDU [Marko VESELICA, president]; Croatian Democratic Independents or HND [Josip MANOLIC, president]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Vladimir SEKS, acting president]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Anto DJAPIC]; Croatian Party of Rights 1861 or HSP 1861 [Dobrislav PARAGA]; Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Zlatko TOMCIC]; Croatian People's Party or HNS [Radimir CACIC, president]; Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Drazen BUDISA, president]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC]; Liberal Party or LP [Vlado GOTOVAC, president]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Semso TANKOVIC]; Primorje Gorski Kotar Alliance [leader NA]; Serbian National Party or SNS [Milan DJUKIC]; Slanvonsko-Baranja Croatian Party or SBHS [Damir JURIC]; Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN] note: the Social Democratic Party or SDP and the Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS formed a coalition as did the HSS, HNS, LP, and IDS, which together defeated the Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ in the 2000 lower house parliamentary election

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)

Introduction

Background [time series]

In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became an 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. Under UN supervision the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Frontier Guard, Home Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$950 million (FY99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

5% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,086,805 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 860,023 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

19 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 30,022 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18% (male 396,484; female 376,267) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,445,101; female 1,420,159) 65 years and over: 15% (male 238,853; female 405,352) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.82 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

11.51 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Croat 78.1%, Serb 12.2%, Muslim 0.9%, Hungarian 0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%, Czech 0.4%, Albanian 0.3%, Montenegrin 0.3%, Roma 0.2%, others 6.6% (1991)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

7.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.67 years male: 70.04 years female: 77.51 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 95% (1991 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Croat(s) adjective: Croatian

Net migration rate [time series]

7.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

4,282,216 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.93% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Muslim 1.2%, Protestant 0.4%, others and unknown 10.8% (1991)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.94 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Eastern Slavonia, which was held by ethnic Serbs during the ethnic conflict between the Croats and the Serbs, was returned to Croatian control by the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia on 15 January 1998; Croatia and Italy made progress toward resolving a bilateral issue dating from World War II over property and ethnic minority rights; significant progress has been made with Slovenia toward resolving a maritime border dispute over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic; Serbia and Montenegro is disputing Croatia's claim to the Prevlaka Peninsula in southern Croatia because it controls the entrance to Boka Kotorska in Montenegro; Prevlaka is currently under observation by the UN Military Observer Mission in Prevlaka (UNMOP)

Illicit drugs [time series]

transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe; a minor transit point for maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

67 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 8 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 36 (1999 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 27,840 km paved: 23,497 km (including 330 km of expressways) unpaved: 4,343 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 818,887 GRT/1,232,803 DWT ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 25, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 5, container 5, liquified gas 1, multi-functional large load carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off 4, short-sea passenger 3 (1999 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas 310 km (1992); note - under repair following territorial dispute

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Dubrovnik, Dugi Rat, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split, Vukovar (inland waterway port on Danube), Zadar

Railways [time series]

total: 2,296 km standard gauge: 2,296 km 1.435-m gauge (983 km electrified) note: some lines remain inoperative or not in use; disrupted by territorial dispute (1997)

Waterways [time series]

785 km perennially navigable; large sections of Sava blocked by downed bridges, silt, and debris