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Comparison of censuses 2001 and 2011

2001 2011
Number % Number %
Population - total 4.437.460 100 4.284.889 100
Catholics 3.903.551 87,97 3.697.143 86,28
Orthodox 195.969 4,42 190.143 4,44
Protestants 11.824 0,27 14.653 0,34
Other Christians 10.569 0,24 12.961 0,30
Muslims 56.777 1,28 62.977 1,47
Jews 495 0,01 536 0,01
Oriental religions 969 0,02 2.550 0,06
Other religions, movements and life philosophies 524 0,01 2.555 0,06
Agnostics and sceptics 1.547 0,03 32.518 0,76
Not religious and atheists 98.376 2,22 163.375 3,81
Not declared 130.985 2,95 93.018 2,17
Unknown 25.874 0,58 12.460 0,29

The comparison between 2001 and 2011 indicates the stability of the religious belonging. However, when comparing these data with those from 1991 (when the Census contained data on religious belonging for the first time since 1953) a major recomposition in the structure of religious belonging can be observed. Specifically, the share of Catholics rose from 76.5% in 1991 to 87.83% 2001, and the share of Orthodox fell from 11.1% in 1991 to 4.44% in 2011. That shift is a result of the fall of former Yugoslavia, and of the Croatian war for independence which ensued, after the country proclaimed its independence in 1991. As a result, many Orthodox then left the country while many Catholics from other parts of former Yugoslavia (particularly from Bosnia, Herzegovina and Serbia) migrated to Croatia.

D 26 November 2013    ASiniša Zrinščak

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

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