An analysis of 95 countries placed Croatia 30th in terms of the amount needed for an American-style retirement, below the most expensive European destinations but significantly above the world's cheapest countries.
Croatia ranks in the top third of the global list for the amount an American would need to save for a comfortable retirement, according to a Visual Capitalist analysis published on August 17, 2026. To enjoy a retirement in Croatia lasting 14 years and eight months, approximately $442,000 is required, equivalent to €442,000, placing Croatia 30th out of 95 countries analyzed.
This analysis uses data from NetCredit and Numbeo and is based on assumptions about the average retirement age in the U.S. and life expectancy. Taxes and healthcare costs were not included in the calculations, so these figures do not constitute individual advice on retirement savings but serve as a tool for comparing living costs across different countries.
According to this calculation, Croatia is a more expensive retirement destination than many countries, particularly those in Asia, Africa, and parts of Eastern Europe. At the same time, the required amount is significantly lower compared to the world's most expensive countries. For example, an American would need approximately $738,000 for a comfortable retirement in the U.S., placing the U.S. fifth on the list.
For Portugal and Spain, about $478,000 is needed, Greece requires $406,000, Montenegro $395,000, Albania $388,000, and Romania $335,000. With $442,000, Croatia is well below the most expensive European destinations but still not among the cheapest countries for retirement.
Differences within Europe are vast. Iceland leads the European list with an estimated $893,000, followed by Switzerland at $859,000, Luxembourg at $794,000, Ireland at $702,000, the United Kingdom at $627,000, and Denmark at $625,000.
Singapore is the most expensive country in the entire analysis, where an American would need approximately $1.1 million for a comfortable retirement. Canada is estimated at $598,000, and Mexico at $356,000.
Only four countries have an estimated total cost for the modeled retirement of less than $200,000. Pakistan is the cheapest at $187,000, followed closely by India at $189,000, and Bangladesh and Egypt at $190,000 each. Thus, in Croatia, the required amount is more than double that of the cheapest country, Pakistan, but still significantly less than in the most expensive countries like Singapore.
The list also includes Brazil at $268,000, China at $279,000, Colombia at $279,000, Russia at $281,000, Malaysia at $292,000, and Vietnam at $295,000. The difference between the most expensive and cheapest country in this analysis exceeds $900,000, clearly showing how much the choice of retirement location can impact the reach of one's savings.
The data should be viewed with caution. These estimates do not represent the amount the average Croatian would need for retirement, but rather how much an American, according to the methodology used, would need to live comfortably in each country. Furthermore, taxes and healthcare costs are not included in the calculation, and these can significantly alter the actual cost of living during retirement.
