According to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics for 2025, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County reports better indicators for stillbirths and infant mortality than the national average, although it continues to face a natural population decline.
No stillborn children were recorded in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County during 2025, and three infants under one year of age died, according to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Indicators related to newborn health in this county are thus better than the Croatian average, despite an overall unfavorable demographic picture.
In 2025, 1,050 live births were recorded in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. During that period, no cases of stillbirth were reported. At the national level, the ratio was approximately 3.7 per thousand total births, with 32,108 live births and 120 stillbirths recorded.
Regarding infant mortality, three deaths among 1,050 live births yield a rate of approximately 2.9 per thousand live births. The national average was around 4 per thousand live births. Across Croatia in 2025, 129 infants died before reaching their first birthday.
Experts caution that such data should be interpreted with care. In smaller municipalities and counties, the number of births is significantly lower than at the national level. Even one or two cases can have a substantial impact on annual rates.
Stillbirth and infant mortality rates are among the key measures of the quality of healthcare for pregnant women, mothers, and newborns. Their monitoring is routinely conducted by healthcare institutions and international organizations. Alongside data on births, deaths, and natural increase, these indicators provide an additional perspective on the health and demographic status of the population.
The overall demographic picture of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County remains unfavorable. The number of deaths stood at 1,278, while 1,050 children were born, resulting in a natural decrease of 228 people. However, when examining the youngest population, the data suggest that the county has achieved better results compared to the Croatian average.
