ZAGREB, 4 Nov (Hina) - In the last four months, the number of babies born increased by 656 compared to the same period last year, which is the equivalent of 33 future school classes, the Ministry of Demography and Immigration said, citing preliminary data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

"Looking at the first nine months of this year, for the first time in several years there was a symbolic but very valuable one-percent increase in births compared to last year," Minister Ivan Šipić said during a visit to Karlovac on Monday.

The Ministry also highlighted several other positive indicators.

Among them is the fact that 65 percent more fathers are using the two non-transferable months of parental leave, around 1,500 more than last year, and that in July and August this year, the number of fathers taking paternity leave increased by an additional 1,000.

Specifically, in July 2024, 1,676 fathers used paternity leave, while in July 2025, 2,750 fathers did so -- 1,074 more. A month later, 2,895 fathers exercised this right, an increase of 1,086 compared to August 2024, when 1,809 fathers took paternity leave.

The Ministry believes that the new Act on Maternity and Parental Benefits, which has been in force for eight months, since March 1 of this year, will have a further positive effect. The law introduces significant improvements in rights and higher financial support for parents.

The main changes include: The maximum parental leave allowance has increased to up to €3,000 net; parental leave can now be used until the child turns eight; paternity leave is 20 days for one child, or 30 days for twins or multiple births; and the one-time allowance for each newborn amounts to €618.

For the implementation of these measures this year, €466 million has been invested, €125.8 million more than in the same period last year, the Ministry said.