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.

Based on a labour force survey, it is estimated that in the third quarter of 2022, the working-age population (aged 15 and over) stood at 3 508 000, out of which 1 710 000 people were employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2022 was 6.7%.

In 2022, the economic recovery continued, following the crisis caused by the pandemic. It is estimated that the real GDP growth reached around 5% in 2022.

The average net salary in 2022 was EUR 1 018.

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, pipelayers, 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, and 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.

It is estimated that the working-age population in Pannonian Croatia amounts to 909 000 people, with 396 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2022 was 11.1%.

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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, pipelayers, 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.

It is estimated that the working-age population in Adriatic Croatia amounts to 1 204 000 people, with 564 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2022 was 4.7%.

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, pipelayers, 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.

It is estimated that the working-age population in the City of Zagreb amounts to 601 000 people, with 315 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2022 was 6.2%.

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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, pipelayers, 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, and 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.

It is estimated that the working-age population in Northern Croatia amounts to 795 000 people, with 434 000 of them being employed.

The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2022 was 5.5%.

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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, pipelayers, 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.