Spain vs Croatia development indicators, 2024

Indicator	Spain, Value	Croatia, Value	Spain, Rank	Croatia, Rank	Spain as % of Croatia
Current account balance (% of GDP)	3.03	-1.13	32	63
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)	37.3	49.8	66	39	74.9 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)	1.89	5.04	58	21	37.5 %
GDP per capita (current US$)	35,297	23,931	34	50	147 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$)	56,926	48,575	32	46	117 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)	33	52.9	87	52	62.4 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)	2.77	2.97	90	80	93.3 %
Net migration	111,674	-5,186	18	139
Population, total	48,807,137	3,866,300	32	129	1,262 %

Demography and Health

In terms of demography, Spain has a lower birth rate at 6.7 births per 1,000 people compared to Croatia's 8.3. However, Spain's death rate is also lower at 9 per 1,000 compared to Croatia's 13.3, indicating a higher overall health status. Life expectancy at birth in Spain is notably higher at 83.9 years versus Croatia's 78.5 years. Spain also performs better regarding under-5 mortality, with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000 live births, compared to Croatia's 4.6. Furthermore, Spain shows a positive net migration of 111,674, while Croatia faces a slight net migration loss of 5,186. Both countries have a prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5% of the population. Spain has more physicians per 1,000 people (4.5) than Croatia (3.6), which may contribute to its better health outcomes.

Economy

Spain's GDP per capita at $35,297 is significantly higher than Croatia's $23,931. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), Spain's GDP per capita is also greater at $56,926 compared to Croatia's $48,575. Spain's economy is characterized by a heavy reliance on services and a relatively high inflation rate of 2.8%, while Croatia's inflation is slightly higher at 3%. Despite Spain's higher GDP and wealth indicators, its unemployment rate is far greater at 12.2% compared to Croatia's lower 6.1%, indicating stronger job growth in Croatia. Spain ranks higher for high-technology exports at $25.8 billion against Croatia's $1.7 billion, showcasing Spain's advanced technology sector performance.

Trade and Investment

In terms of international trade, Croatia's exports of goods and services account for 49.8% of its GDP, significantly higher than Spain's 37.3%. However, Spain is involved in a larger volume of high-technology exports, which are indicative of more developed sectors. When it comes to foreign direct investment, Croatia shows stronger performance with net inflows of 5% of GDP, compared to Spain's lower rate of 1.9%. This might signify a more favorable investment climate in Croatia. Spain's current account balance is positive at 3% of GDP, while Croatia has a deficit of 1.1%.

Governance and Institutions

Both Spain and Croatia exhibit differences in governance metrics. Spain ranks higher in control of corruption, achieving a score of 0.6 compared to Croatia's 0.2. In terms of government effectiveness, Spain again leads with a score of 0.8 over Croatia's 0.7. Spain maintains a rule of law score of 0.8, compared to Croatia's 0.4, highlighting a more robust legal framework. Military expenditure is also substantially different, with Spain spending $23.7 billion, signaling a more significant defense budget relative to Croatia's $1.4 billion. Political stability, however, is an area where Spain is weaker, scoring 0.3 against Croatia's 0.6.

Infrastructure and Technology

Spain outshines Croatia in logistics performance with a score of 3.8 compared to 3.0, indicating better trade and transportation infrastructure. The degree of internet access reflects a digital divide where 95.4% of the Spanish population uses the internet, contrasting with 83.2% in Croatia. This technologically advancing environment supports economic growth and international competitiveness for Spain, allowing for more innovative growth compared to Croatia's developing digital framework, as seen in lower patent applications (1,308 for Spain versus 77 for Croatia).

Environment and Sustainability

Spain has lower total greenhouse gas emissions per capita at 5.9 tons compared to Croatia's 6.5 tons, suggesting better environmental management. However, Spain has a higher level of water stress, with freshwater withdrawal at 43.3% of available resources, compared to Croatia's remarkably low 1.5%. When it comes to renewable energy consumption, Spain has made strides with 19% of its total energy consumption coming from renewable sources, while Croatia leads significantly at 34.1%. Both countries allocate equal percentages (1.4%) of GDP to research and development expenditure, indicating a commitment to advancing sustainability.