Many scientific disciplines are involved in population studies. Demographic research is of great importance for every country. Both positive and negative changes in the demographic structure of a population under the influence of various factors are regularly long-term. The natural factors, described in more detail in this paper, that affect the demographic trends of a country are one of the most important indicators of Croatia's demographic picture. These factors certainly include: birth rate, mortality, migration, population structure by age and gender, and working age population. Economic factors such as GDP, unemployment rates, and inflation are basic components of a country's economic development. As such, they are intertwined with natural factors and cannot be viewed separately. Therefore, this paper presents the economic situation of the country through the above listed economic factors. The population is the basis for the economic development of each country. Every country, including Croatia, strives to achieve positive economic growth as well as a higher standard of living for its inhabitants. Accordingly, any change in the demographic structure of the population through the aforementioned natural factors will affect the direction of economic development of the country, while changes in the intensity of economic growth of the country will determine the future growth and development of the population. The final paper consists of four sections, most of which relate to the theoretical approach to the most important concepts as well as to linking basic concepts of demography with economic development. Also, for the purposes of this paper, it was necessary to investigate what demographic policies the state adopted to improve the demographic structure of the population. The aim of this paper is to investigate what demographic factors affect the population structure, while the purpose is to show what policies and measures the state is taking and what measures it should adopt to help revitalize the country's demographic status.