Who Leads Croatia?

Leadership

Zoran Milanović

President of Croatia

Political Party

SDP

Inaugurated

Feb 18, 2020

Term Ends

2030

Next Election

2030

Born

Oct 30, 1966 in Zagreb, Croatia

Country Population

3.9M

Continent

Europe

Zoran Milanovic has been president since February 2020, winning re-election in 2025. A former prime minister and leader of the Social Democratic Party, he is known for his outspoken and sometimes combative style. He has clashed with the government on foreign policy and EU issues, and has taken strong positions on Croatian sovereignty and NATO policy.

Government

Capital

Zagreb

Official Language(s)

Croatian

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Government Type

Parliamentary Republic

Area

56,594 km²

Croatia is an Eastern European country with a stunning Adriatic coastline featuring over 1,000 islands. It gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and joined the EU in 2013 and the Eurozone in 2023. Tourism along the Dalmatian coast, including Dubrovnik (a Game of Thrones filming location), is a major economic driver. Croatia has a passionate sporting culture, particularly in football and water polo.

Croatia is a parliamentary republic with a semi-presidential system. President Zoran Milanović (SDP; re-elected January 2024) is head of state and supreme commander. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković (HDZ) leads the government as head of government. Croatia has experienced significant tension between the two offices: Milanović has repeatedly clashed with Plenković on foreign policy (particularly regarding Ukraine and NATO) and made inflammatory statements. Parliament (Sabor) has 151 seats. Croatia has been a full EU member since 2013, adopted the euro on January 1, 2023, and joined Schengen on January 1, 2023.

Economic Snapshot

GDP

$78.9B

GDP Per Capita

$20,200

Income Group

High income

Trade Balance

Tourism surplus offsets goods deficit

Inflation

4.3% (DZS, 2023; declining from 2022 peak)

Croatia's post-independence economic trajectory went from war-devastated reconstruction (1991-1995 war of independence from Yugoslavia) to EU membership and full European integration. The war caused an estimated $37 billion in damage; rebuilding took most of the 1990s. EU accession (2013) brought significant structural fund investment and market access. Tourism became the dominant economic driver through the 2000s-2010s. The Adriatic coast, islands, and the filming of Game of Thrones transformed Croatia from a lesser-known destination to one of Europe's most visited. Dubrovnik's 'overtourism' problem (cruise ships disgorging thousands simultaneously into a city of 1,500 residents) led to visitor caps and debates about sustainable tourism. Rimac's story is Croatia's most globally compelling entrepreneurship narrative. Mate Rimac converted his BMW E30 to electric power at age 18 in his garage, built a race car, attracted investment, and founded Rimac Automobili. The company now employs thousands, produces the Nevera hypercar (fastest production EV in the world), acquired a majority stake in Bugatti from VW Group, and is globally recognized as a leading EV technology company. Croatia's relatively small tech sector has produced other notable companies including Infobip (business messaging) and Gideon Brothers (autonomous robotics).

Major Industries

• Tourism (Adriatic coast: Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Korčula, Plitvice Lakes; ~20% of GDP)
• Shipbuilding (historically significant; Uljanik and others; declining)
• Food Processing (olive oil, wine, truffles, cheese)
• Pharmaceuticals (Pliva/Teva: formerly among Europe's major pharma companies)
• IT & Technology (Zagreb growing tech hub; Rimac electric supercars)
• Agriculture (olive oil; wine; lavender; truffles)

Croatia is known for: Croatia's Adriatic coast is one of Europe's most beautiful: the old city of Dubrovnik (UNESCO) was used as 'King's Landing' in Game of Thrones, generating enormous tourism interest. Croatian truffles from Istria (white truffles rival Périgord and Alba; the world's heaviest truffle was found in Istria in 1999 at 1.31 kg) are among the world's most prized. Rimac Automobili, founded by Croatian engineer Mate Rimac, produces the world's fastest production electric car (Nevera: 1,914 hp; 0-100 km/h in 1.74 seconds).

Trade Profile

Croatia runs a goods trade deficit but a significant services surplus from tourism revenues. Tourism is approximately 20% of GDP and is Croatia's dominant economic driver. The 2020 COVID pandemic was devastating (90%+ tourism decline); recovery by 2022 was strong. Croatia's tourism has a 'overtourism' problem particularly in Dubrovnik.

Top Exports

• Machinery & transport equipment
• Chemicals & pharmaceuticals
• Food & beverages
• Tourism services
• Refined petroleum
• Electrical equipment

Top Imports

• Machinery
• Petroleum
• Consumer goods
• Vehicles
• Food
• Chemicals

Export Destinations

• Germany
• Italy
• Slovenia
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Austria

Import Partners

• Germany
• Italy
• Slovenia
• Austria
• Hungary

The world depends on Croatia for: Adriatic tourism (20 million+ visitors annually), Rimac electric hypercars, Istrian truffles, and Pliva/Teva pharmaceutical heritage

Croatia depends on the world for: Petroleum, machinery, consumer goods, vehicles, and food

Global Role

Croatia's global significance is Dubrovnik and the Game of Thrones/King's Landing association, Rimac electric hypercars, the Adriatic tourism boom, Nikola Tesla's Croatian-Serb heritage, Croatia's 2023 euro and Schengen adoption, and the stunning Plitvice Lakes national park.

• Dubrovnik's old city (UNESCO) served as 'King's Landing' in Game of Thrones, generating a tourism boom so intense that the city has imposed visitor caps
• Mate Rimac founded Rimac Automobili at age 19 in his garage; the company now produces the world's fastest production electric car (Nevera: 0-100 km/h in 1.74s) and owns a majority stake in Bugatti
• Nikola Tesla, inventor of the AC electrical system and many foundational electrical technologies, was born in Smiljan, Croatia (then part of the Austrian Empire), to ethnic Serbian parents
• Croatia adopted the euro (January 1, 2023) and joined Schengen (January 1, 2023) simultaneously, completing its full EU integration
• Istrian white truffles rival French Périgord and Italian Alba varieties; a 1.31 kg truffle found in Istria in 1999 was the world's largest ever recorded
• Croatia has approximately 1,244 Adriatic islands; approximately 67 are inhabited; popular tourist islands include Hvar, Brač, Korčula, and Krk
• Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO) receives approximately 1.5 million visitors annually and has been used as a filming location for multiple major productions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the current President of Croatia?

Zoran Milanović of the Social Democratic Party has been President since February 18, 2020, re-elected in January 2024. He governs in cohabitation with the center-right HDZ government of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Milanović, a lawyer who speaks English, French, German, and Russian, is known for his combative style and has clashed with both Plenković and NATO allies on issues including Ukraine policy.

Was Dubrovnik really in Game of Thrones?

Yes, Dubrovnik's old city served as 'King's Landing' in Game of Thrones (2011-2019), the capital of the fictional Seven Kingdoms. Specific locations include the city walls, Fort Lovrijenac ('Red Keep'), and the Old Harbour. The show created such intense tourism demand that Dubrovnik has implemented daily visitor caps (approximately 8,000 cruise visitors per day) to prevent the city's fragile medieval architecture and narrow streets from being overwhelmed.

What is Croatia known for besides Dubrovnik?

Croatia is known for Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO; 16 terraced waterfalls and lakes; one of Europe's most beautiful parks), Istrian truffles (white truffles rivaling French and Italian varieties; world record 1.31 kg truffle found there), the Roman ruins at Split (Diocletian's Palace), Nikola Tesla (born in Smiljan, Croatia), and Rimac electric hypercars (Mate Rimac built the world's fastest production EV).

Related Countries

• Serbia: Former Yugoslav federation partner; 1991-1995 war; Nikola Tesla's ethnic heritage connects Croatia and Serbia
• Italy: Adriatic neighbor; largest bilateral trade partner; historical Venetian influence on Dalmatian coast
• Germany: Largest source of tourists in Croatia; major trade partner
• Slovenia: Fellow former Yugoslav republic; fellow EU and NATO member; major bilateral trade
• Bosnia-Herzegovina: Shares land border; Croatian minority in Bosnia is significant; Bosnian War legacy
• Greece: Fellow Mediterranean tourism competitor and NATO ally