First baby of 2026 born in Šibenik.

The first baby of 2026 was born just after midnight in Šibenik, followed by two more arrivals one minute later in Rijeka and Varaždin.

"It was great. It's really a wonderful experience to give birth to the first baby in the New Year. At least I knew where I was going to celebrate the New Year," said the new mother.

The father shared his excitement, describing the moment as "unbelievable." He added, "I was recording on my phone when the baby was born and I saw the clock strike midnight. I'm so happy. Thank God and thanks to my wife for doing such a great job."

In Varaždin, baby Vid was born weighing 3.2 kilos. His mother, celebrating her first child after twelve years of marriage, was overjoyed.

Meanwhile, Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Blaženko Boban visited the maternity ward in Split, offering his congratulations: "All the best to the parents and, most importantly, the baby too. May her cries ring loud and often in this maternity ward, the place where the most babies in Croatia are born."

Minister of Demography and Immigration Ivan Šipić said each new birth is "a wonderful gift." He added, "I'm very pleased that we've seen so many babies born here in Split. This sends a great signal to the rest of the country."