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
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
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