Istria County Download as PDF

The Region of Istria is the westernmost region of Croatia, situated almost in the heart of Europe, which definitely represents a strategic advantage. As one of the most developed regions, second only to the City of Zagreb, it boasts a diversified economy. Even if Istria has the most developed tourist sector and it accounts for one third of the total national tourism income, in its economy structure tourism occupies only the third place, preceded by the processing industry, trade and the services sector. Industry is based on manufacturing of building material (lime, cement, bricks, stone), tobacco products, electrical machines and devices, automotive components and glass, as well as on the processing of metal, plastics, wood, etc. The IT industry is surging, led by the world-famous company Infobip, but also by a number of smaller companies with a promising future. A beneficial effect derives from public sector investment in the creation of entrepreneurial infrastructure and from various incentives and lending programmes for enterprises.

Moreover, agriculture is a sector deserving to be mentioned for the systemic investments made in the last years, which resulted in top quality products. Today Istria is a brand in wine and food production, whereas Istrian olive oils and wines are among the best in the world. Further advancements are currently being introduced in organic food production, where a massive improvement can be noticed.

Although the Region of Istria is an area where progress is above average, its further development is primarily oriented towards sustainability. Its strategic geographic position and good transport connections with the rest of Europe and the Mediterranean area, the natural beauties, the rich historic and cultural heritage and its cooperation with many regions abroad make Istria an attractive destination for foreign investments.

[Source: Istria County, July 2022]

Main Indicators

GDP EUR 2.666.872.000
Population 195.237
Men 94.483
Women 100.754
Age 0-14 26.035
Age 15+ 169.202
GDP Per Capita EUR 12.684,00
Area Size km² 2.813
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics: GDP (2020), Population (2021), Area size (2021)

Gross Value Added by ActivitiesEUR

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2020

Infrastructure

Motorways km 127
Broadband Connections number and density 59.403 / 78%
Number of issued building permits 1.582
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics: Motorways (2021), Building permits (2022), Croatian Regulatory Agency for Network Industries: Broadband Connections (2022)

Investments

  Amount
Foreign Direct Investments million EUR 3.082
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR

Activity Amount
Proprietary investments in real estate 1.338,70
Manufacture of tobacco products 484,80
Accommodation 469,20
Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products 340,40
Real estate activities 151,80
Other 297,30
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR

Country Amount
Germany 654,80
United Kingdom 530,30
Slovenia 471,60
Austria 390,70
Italy 272,50
Other 762,40
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Gross Investment in new Fixed Assets, by Location of Investment Constructions and Types of Assets

Asset type Amount (EUR, 000)
Buildings, spaces and structures 328.852
Machinery and equipment with fittings 159.983
Transport equipment 26.270
Cultivated biological resources 1.984
Intellectual property products 8.008
Total 532.560
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

Biggest Investors

Company Activity Website
BINA - ISTRA, d. d. CONSTRUCTION http://www.bina-istra.hr
ČISTA VODA PROJEKT d.o.o. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES
TDR d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.tdr.hr
AUTO BENUSSI d.o.o. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES http://www.autobenussi.hr
PLAVA LAGUNA d.d. ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE http://www.plavalaguna.com
MAISTRA d.d. ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE http://www.maistra.hr
Valamar Riviera d.d. ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE http://www.valamar-riviera.com
Arena Hospitality Group d.d. ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE http://www.arenahospitalitygroup.com
MONTRAKER d.o.o. ART, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION http://www.montraker .hr
6. MAJ d.o.o. WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, MR. WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION http://www.6maj.hr
Source: Financial Agency, data for 2022

Maximum Investment Incentives' Intensity according to the Investment Promotion Act

Large enterprises Medium enterprises Small and micro-enterprises
40% 50% 60%
Source: 2022-2027 Regional Aid Map for Croatia

International Trade

Export by Activity000 EUR

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Import by Activity000 EUR

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Export by Country000 EUR

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Import by Country000 EUR

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Education

Eduction level Number of pupils
Kindergartens and Other Legal Entities Implementing Preschool Education Programmes 7.777
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year 15.313
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year 6.442
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence 4.422
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022/2023

Number of High School Studends Who Have Completed Their Education

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2020/2021

Number of Students and Institutions by Educational Sectors

Educational Sector Number of Institutions Number of Students
Tourism and catering 9 1.050
Economics, trade and business administration 10 1.001
Electrical engineering and computing 10 912
Health and social work 2 444
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy 9 384
Personal, security and other services 3 260
Agriculture, food and veterinary 3 216
Construction and geodesy 2 207
Forestry and logging 1 30
Source: Ministry of Science and Education, data for 2022/2023

Students Who Graduated From University Study or Completed Professional Studys

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

Students Enrolled at Institutions of Higher Education, by Scientific and Artistic Fields of Study

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021/2022

Institutions of Higher Education and Graduated Students

Name Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study
College of Management and Security Securus, Pula - Pola 23
Istrian University of Applied Sciences in Pula – Pola 25
University of Pula – Pola 735
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

Business Indicators of Enterprises

Activity Number of Business Entities Number of Persons Employed Average Monthly Gross Earnings per Person in Paid Employment
(EUR)
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 448 793 1.215
Mining and quarrying 29 159 1.496
Manufacturing 1.699 9.744 1.289
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 90 632 1.712
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 71 1.882 1.287
Construction 3.337 5.520 1.038
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 4.130 8.212 1.168
Transportation and storage 548 2.131 1.168
Accommodation and food service activities 2.290 9.710 1.337
Information and communication 608 1.582 2.041
Financial and insurance activities 66 1.362 1.613
Real estate activities 2.419 448 1.165
Professional, scientific and technical activities 2.269 2.079 1.339
Administrative and support service activities 1.385 2.461 1.015
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 198 3.872 1.540
Education 251 6.367 1.353
Human health and social work activities 272 4.018 1.610
Arts, entertainment and recreation 1.572 1.556 1.179
Other service activities 2.531 495 1.156
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Unemployed

  Rate
Unemployment Rate 4,00%
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Unemployed by Activity

Activity Number
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 62
Mining and quarrying 4
Manufacturing 385
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 3
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 26
Construction 217
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 406
Transportation and storage 89
Accommodation and food service activities 629
Information and communication 45
Financial and insurance activities 47
Real estate activities 30
Professional, scientific and technical activities 119
Administrative and support service activities 235
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 29
Education 146
Human health and social work activities 81
Arts, entertainment and recreation 65
Other service activities 130
Not classified 268
Total 3.016
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2022

Registered unemployed by occupation

Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2022

Support Institutions Contacts

Name Contact Website
Istria development Agency - IDA Ltd. ida-uprava@ida.hr http://www.ida.hr
HGK – Pula County Chamber HGK hgkpu@hgk.hr https://www.hgk.hr/
Chamber of Crafts of Istria County https://www.hok.hr/
Istria regional energy Agency - IRENA Ltd. irena@irena-istra.hr https://www.irena-istra.hr/hr/podsiteovi/irena/