Labour market information: Croatia

Croatia is a medium-sized European country geographically located between Central and South-East Europe. Croatia consists of four NUTS regions: Pannonian Croatia, Adriatic Croatia, City of Zagreb and Northern Croatia.

According to the 2021 census, Croatia has a population of 3 888 529 inhabitants. Based on a labour force survey, it is estimated that in the third quarter of 2021, the working-age population (aged 15 and over) stood at 3 508 000, out of which 1 705 000 people were employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2021 was 6.3%.

In 2021, following the crisis caused by the pandemic, Croatia saw a strong economic recovery. It is estimated that the real GDP growth reached around 10% in 2021.

In 2021, the average net salary amounted to HRK 7 129 (EUR 938).

The labour market needs in Croatia are analysed by the Croatian Employment Service. The labour market is characterised by labour shortages in some occupations, partly due to emigration to other Member States of the European Union.

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At national level, the greatest labour shortages have been recorded for the following occupations:

• masons, carpenters, steel benders, concrete layers, welders, plasterers, construction fitters, construction machinery operators, stonemasons, crane operators, joiners, building construction workers, civil engineering workers, pipe layers, painters and decorators, roofers, plumbers, electricians, heating and air-conditioning system installers, hydro-insulation installers, metal structures fitters, ceramic tile layers, floor layers, insulation installers, tinsmiths, locksmiths, electrical fitters, maintenance electricians;
• truck drivers, semi-trailer truck drivers, car mechanics, car painters, car bodyworkers;
• national cuisine chefs, butchers, bakers, confectioners;
• software developers, user interface designers, and system administrators.

At national level, workers with the following qualifications face difficulties in finding employment: photographers, economists, business secretaries, administrative officers, graphic arts technicians, environmental technicians, fashion design technicians, tourism and hospitality operators.

Pannonian Croatia comprises the following counties: Bjelovar-Bilogora County, Virovitica-Podravina County, Požega-Slavonia County, Brod-Posavina County, Osijek-Baranja County, Vukovar-Srijem County, Karlovac County and Sisak-Moslavina County. It borders Hungary to the north, Serbia to the east and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south.

Pannonian Croatia has a population of 1 025 221 inhabitants. It is estimated that its working-age population amounts to 917 000 people, with 413 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2021 was 8.7%.

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In Pannonian Croatia, the greatest labour shortages have been recorded for the following occupations:

• masons, carpenters, steel benders, concrete layers, welders, plasterers, construction fitters, construction machinery operators, stonemasons, crane operators, joiners, building construction workers, civil engineering workers, pipe layers, painters and decorators, roofers, plumbers, electricians, heating and air-conditioning system installers, hydro-insulation installers, metal structures fitters, ceramic tile layers, floor layers, insulation installers, tinsmiths, locksmiths, electrical fitters, maintenance electricians;
• truck drivers, semi-trailer truck drivers, car mechanics, car painters, car bodyworkers;
• butchers, bakers, confectioners;
• software developers, user interface designers, and system administrators.

In Pannonian Croatia, workers with the following qualifications face difficulties in finding employment: salespersons, florists, hairdressers, photographers, economists, business secretaries, and administrative officers.

Adriatic Croatia comprises seven counties: Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Lika-Senj County, Zadar County, Šibenik-Knin County, Split-Dalmatia County, Istria County and Dubrovnik-Neretva County. The region borders Slovenia to the north-west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east and Montenegro to the south, and it shares a maritime border with Italy to the west.

Adriatic Croatia has a population of 1 303 428 inhabitants. It is estimated that its working-age population amounts to 1 197 000 people, with 543 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2021 was 7.9%.

At the beginning of the summer season, there is a high demand for workers in the hospitality and hotel industry due to the influx of tourists.

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In Adriatic Croatia, the greatest labour shortages have been recorded for the following occupations:

• waiters, chefs, national cuisine chefs, butchers, bakers, confectioners, sous-chefs, assistant waiters, chambermaids, cleaners;
• truck drivers, semi-trailer truck drivers, car mechanics, car painters, car bodyworkers;
• masons, carpenters, steel benders, concrete layers, welders, plasterers, construction fitters, construction machinery operators, stonemasons, crane operators, joiners, building construction workers, civil engineering workers, pipe layers, painters and decorators, roofers, plumbers, electricians, heating and air-conditioning system installers, hydro-insulation installers, metal structures fitters, ceramic tile layers, floor layers, insulation installers, tinsmiths, locksmiths, electrical fitters, maintenance electricians;
• software developers, user interface designers, and system administrators.

In Adriatic Croatia, workers with the following qualifications face difficulties in finding employment: administrative officers, economists, sales officers, tourism and hospitality operators, and business secretaries.

The City of Zagreb is the capital of the Republic of Croatia. It is located in the north-west of the country.

The City of Zagreb has 769 944 inhabitants. It is estimated that its working-age population amounts to 661 000 people, with 363 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2021 was 3.4%.

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In the City of Zagreb, the greatest labour shortages have been recorded for the following occupations:

• masons, carpenters, steel benders, concrete layers, welders, plasterers, construction fitters, construction machinery operators, stonemasons, crane operators, joiners, building construction workers, civil engineering workers, pipe layers, painters and decorators, roofers, plumbers, electricians, heating and air-conditioning system installers, hydro-insulation installers, metal structures fitters, ceramic tile layers, floor layers, insulation installers, tinsmiths, locksmiths, electrical fitters, maintenance electricians;
• waiters, chefs, national cuisine chefs, bakers, butchers, confectioners;
• truck drivers, semi-trailer truck drivers, car mechanics, car painters, car bodyworkers;
• software developers, user interface designers, and system administrators.

In the City of Zagreb, workers with the following qualifications face difficulties in finding employment: photographers, economists, business secretaries, administrative officers, graphic arts technicians, fashion design technicians, tourism and hospitality operators.

Northern Croatia comprises the following counties: Međimurje County, Varaždin County, Koprivnica-Križevci County, Krapina-Zagorje County and Zagreb County. It borders Hungary to the north and Slovenia to the west.

Northern Croatia has a population of 789 936 inhabitants. It is estimated that its working-age population amounts to 732 000 people, with 385 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2021 was 3.6%.

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In Northern Croatia, the greatest labour shortages have been recorded for the following occupations:

• masons, carpenters, steel benders, concrete layers, welders, plasterers, construction fitters, construction machinery operators, stonemasons, crane operators, joiners, building construction workers, civil engineering workers, pipe layers, painters and decorators, roofers, plumbers, electricians, heating and air-conditioning system installers, hydro-insulation installers, metal structures fitters, ceramic tile layers, floor layers, insulation installers, tinsmiths, locksmiths, electrical fitters, maintenance electricians;
• truck drivers, semi-trailer truck drivers, car mechanics, car painters, car bodyworkers;
• fur and leather tailors, pelt dressers and tanners;
• chefs, national cuisine chefs, waiters, bakers, butchers, confectioners;
• software developers, user interface designers, and system administrators.

In Northern Croatia, workers with the following qualifications face difficulties in finding employment: economists, sales officers, business secretaries, administrative officers, tourism and hospitality operators.