Demographic capital is one of the main determinants of economic growth in the longterm because it represents strong procedures for monitoring trends in population movements, their births and deaths, which results in innovations and brings positive demographic changes. Demographic trends in Croatia in the last decade have been marked by pronounced declining trends, where the causes of depopulation should be sought primarily in strong emigration flows and brain drain, as well as ineffective pronatal policies. Such trends have long-term negative implications for the Croatian economy, and the current demographic deficit needs to be influenced by expansive measures of pronatality policy and retaining the Croatian population in the country by offering acceptable conditions with an advanced standard of living. It is the dominance of the working population by age that represents a significant contingent that can contribute to high labor productivity and growth trends in the Croatian economy. A smaller share of older people is increasingly showing an interest in remaining in the labor market, primarily due to existential needs, which allows for the potential for higher labor productivity. Investments in Croatian intellectual capital can contribute to stronger economic development and make Croatia a scientifically competitive country.