Croatia's population fell in years 1994-1999 as they were fighting for its independence from Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav wars. Even though their population increased from 1999-2003 as they were recovering from the Yugoslav wars, their population started to stagnate after 2003 as the country reached its post-industrial stage. Because Croatia joined the EU in 2013, the population growth rate of Croatia will continue to stagnate as the Croatian people have an easier time to emigrate to other countries to seek a better life.