The survey conducted by the Accent agency shows that 24.8% of respondents oppose Croatia's joining NATO, while the Puls survey shows that 28% oppose NATO membership.
The surveys, covering 1,000 respondents each, were commissioned by the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry and conducted on 21-27 May and 23-25 May. The same methodology was applied to both surveys.
The Accent survey shows that support for NATO is slightly higher among men than among women.
The main reasons for support for NATO membership are better security, a better future and positive economic effects of membership. The main reasons for opposition to NATO are lack of information and trust, and the fear of Croatian soldiers being sent to serve in missions abroad.
Respondents aged 35-44 are least enthusiastic about NATO membership, while the youngest (18-24) and oldest (65 and above) respondents support it more than other age groups. Support for NATO membership in Slavonia and Zagreb is slightly higher than in other parts of the country, and it is lowest in northern Croatia.
Seventy-six percent of respondents believe that Croatia will join NATO in the next five years, while only three percent believe it will never join the alliance.
Around 80% believe that Croatia's economy will benefit from NATO membership, 51% believe the country will be safer and stronger, and 33% believe it will be much safer and stronger.
A total of eighty-four percent of respondents, men more than women, believe Croatia will be safer and stronger if it joins NATO, according to the Accent survey.
The Puls agency believes that the growing support for NATO membership is the result of recent developments in Serbia, when Radical leader Tomislav Nikolic was elected parliament speaker, which coincided with more frequent statements on NATO by Croatian state officials. The Croatians' position on NATO apparently depends to a large extent on the perception of the security situation.
Around 80% of respondents believe NATO membership would favourably affect Croatia's international position and around 70% expect some kind of economic benefits from NATO membership.
A recent survey conducted by the GfK Croatia agency shows that 52% of respondents support Croatia's admission to NATO, which is an improvement in relation to March, when the support was 43%.