Karlovac County Download as PDF

Karlovac County is situated in central Croatia and represents the connection between continental and coastal Croatia as well as the intersection connecting Europe and Adriatic Coast. The County territory encompasses five towns (Duga Resa, Karlovac, Ogulin, Ozalj and Slunj), and seventeen municipalities (Barilović, Bosiljevo, Cetingrad, Draganić, Generalski Stol, Josipdol, Kamanje, Krnjak, Lasinja, Neretić, Plaški, Rakovica , Ribnik, Saborsko, Tounj, Vojnić and Žakanje). County area of 3.626 square kilometres has 112.596 inhabitants. Karlovac County borders with two neighbouring countries: The Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and four counties: Zagreb County, Sisak-Moslavina County, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Lika-Senj County.

Karlovac County area is not only the link between continental and coastal Croatia, but also the intersection of the most important roads linking Europe to Adriatic coast. One of the most important European corridors Vb goes through Karlovac County, and the County is also a part of middle-European traffic corridor Route 65.
Such position provides significant comparative advantage in doing business and investing, because the most significant business zones in Karlovac County are connected to modern highways and in average only approximately 95 kilometers away from Rijeka harbor, approximately 280 kilometers from Split harbor or 55 kilometers from Franjo Tuđman Airport.

Natural richness is presented by four rivers: Korana, Mrežnica, Kupa and Dobra. Bathing in clean waters, rowing, rafting and canoeing, hunting in forests from Draganić to Klek and Modruš, hiking paths and trails, bicycle tracks, caves and many other natural values of this area provides various opportunities of rest and recreation which is a good foundation for tourism development. Besides that, monuments of historic architecture like numerous old towns and castles and valuable sacral buildings are especially interesting.
According to the tourism results for the year 2021, as well as earlier years, Karlovac County is the most visited tourist destination in continental Croatia, after the city of Zagreb, with a strong development momentum of all tourism forms, especially active tourism.

In the late 19th and early 20th century intensive development of crafts and industry has emerged in Karlovac and neighbouring towns. This tradition has continued to these modern days.
Economic profile of Karlovac County today has been characterized by developed entrepreneurship especially the processing industry which is the main bearer of the development with wide spectre of activities and products. The most important branches of manufacturing industry, according the generated total revenue, are the manufacture of food products and beverages, manufacture of fabricated metal products, manufacture of machinery and equipment, manufacture of rubber and plastic products, manufacture of wood and products of wood, manufacture of textiles and other. High quality of job execution, according the schedule and professional staff in a way of use of the most contemporary equipment and material are the reason why construction companies hadn’t really felt the crisis in construction sector in recent years. Just the opposite, they can commend themselves with exquisite references in construction of various works and buildings: geotechnical works, industrial facilities and hydro-construction buildings, traffic infrastructure constructions, residential and business buildings and others not only in Croatian, but in the market of neighbouring countries.

Entrepreneurial environment in the county is recognized by many reputable companies in the domestic and foreign ownership. Some of the largest are: HS Produkt, PPK – Karlovac meat industry, Lana Karlovac printing, Bjelin, Karlovac turbine factory, General Electric Croatia, Heineken Croatia, DW Reusables, Wienerberger, Semmelrock Stein + Design, Infosys Limited and many more.
The sector of food products manufacture includes production of meat and durable and semi-durable meat products; production of milk and dairy products; bakery products; production and processing of original Ogulin sour cabbage and other. When talking about manufacture of beverages, production of beer established in the middle 19th century, today led by well-known brands of Karlovac beer dominates. Business subjects of metal processing industry and engineering in Karlovac County are focused on export, implementation of new technologies, professional staff education, quality system certification, ecologically acceptable production and connection to domestic and foreign manufacturers. Manufacturing program is diverse and can fulfil all of the needs of potential buyers and partners; from quality cutlery and dishes, various types of tool and machine tools, various types of machine processing, metal constructions, bands and bolts and all the way to production of diesel motors and equipment for energetics, special tools and equipment, steam, gas and water turbines, marine and industry pumps and hydro mechanical equipment or production of one of the most quality small arms in the world. Companies which produce rubber and plastic products in Karlovac County are investing in modernization of technology process, expanding product assortments and export more and more products, but also attract foreign investors for partnership and further investment using its quality. Production program contains various types of plastic package, PVC joinery, production of bathroom and plumbing equipment, pool cover, processing of plastic masses by various techniques and other. More than half of Karlovac County territory is covered in forest and wood land which provides excellent base for development of wood processing sector which has rich tradition in primary and final wood process. The sector comprises production of sawn timber, packaging, construction joinery, floor material, furniture and furniture parts and other. Despite of dynamic challenges of the world market, textile industry in Karlovac County has maintained the position of significant exporter by its orientation on foreign markets and innovations in the production process, especially in production of various types of technic fabrics. On the other side, manufacturers of clothes are investing in shaping of new quality products as well, so recognizable fashion brands from Karlovac County companies exists on the market.

[Source: Public institution Regional development agency of Karlovac County, July 2022]

Main Indicators

GDP EUR 1.063.564.000
Population 112.195
Men 54.381
Women 57.814
Age 0-14 14.452
Age 15+ 97.743
GDP Per Capita EUR 9.307,00
Area Size km² 3.626
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 84
Broadband Connections number and density 25.571 / 60%
Number of issued building permits 248
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 225
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR

Activity Amount
Beverage production 106,90
Processing of wood and wood and cork products, except furniture; production of products from straw and plaiting materials 51,40
Manufacture of machines and devices 49,90
Manufacture of rubber and plastic products 26,90
Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 7,80
Other -18,00
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR

Country Amount
Netherlands 359,20
Germany 53,40
Sweden 50,20
Slovenia 21,20
United Kingdom 11,60
Other -270,60
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 119.683
Machinery and equipment with fittings 42.541
Transport equipment 6.048
Cultivated biological resources 3.259
Intellectual property products 3.097
Total 179.280
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

Biggest Investors

Company Activity Website
LANA-KARLOVAČKA TISKARA d.d. MANUFACTURING http://www.lana.hr
BJELIN d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.bjelin.hr
VODOVOD I KANALIZACIJA d.o.o. WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, MR. WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION http://www.vik-ka.hr
HS PRODUKT d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.hs-produkt.hr
HEINEKEN HRVATSKA d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.karlovacka.com
P P K d.d. MANUFACTURING http://www.ppk.hr
HOTEL MEDITERAN d.o.o. ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE
VALINGE CROATIA d.o.o. MANUFACTURING
IM ADRIA d.o.o. REAL ESTATE BUSINESS
KELTEKS d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.solidian-kelteks.com
Source: Financial Agency, data for 2022

Maximum Investment Incentives' Intensity according to the Investment Promotion Act

Large enterprises Medium enterprises Small and micro-enterprises
50% 60% 70%
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 3.400
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year 7.924
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year 3.830
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence 2.612
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
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy 5 442
Electrical engineering and computing 3 387
Economics, trade and business administration 4 369
Tourism and catering 4 354
Health and social work 1 351
Agriculture, food and veterinary 3 264
Forestry and wood processing 2 231
Construction and geodesy 2 195
Personal, security and other services 2 166
Transport and logisitics 2 86
Graphic technology and audio-visual design 1 45
Textile and leather 1 17
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

Institutions of Higher Education and Graduated Students

Name Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study
Polytechnic in Karlovac 392
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 271 850 1.195
Mining and quarrying 6 8 1.457
Manufacturing 644 8.084 1.303
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 35 484 1.621
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 45 775 1.116
Construction 597 2.131 1.113
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 895 2.953 1.183
Transportation and storage 185 1.651 1.269
Accommodation and food service activities 504 1.002 951
Information and communication 130 319 1.866
Financial and insurance activities 18 483 1.588
Real estate activities 67 111 1.102
Professional, scientific and technical activities 418 630 1.389
Administrative and support service activities 104 463 983
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 167 2.926 1.538
Education 104 2.983 1.380
Human health and social work activities 130 2.935 1.563
Arts, entertainment and recreation 588 406 1.169
Other service activities 1.261 274 1.047
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Unemployed

  Rate
Unemployment Rate 6,90%
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2022

Unemployed by Activity

Activity Number
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 84
Mining and quarrying 3
Manufacturing 367
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 2
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 17
Construction 142
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 203
Transportation and storage 68
Accommodation and food service activities 269
Information and communication 22
Financial and insurance activities 11
Real estate activities 4
Professional, scientific and technical activities 55
Administrative and support service activities 77
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 278
Education 91
Human health and social work activities 191
Arts, entertainment and recreation 41
Other service activities 124
Not classified 468
Total 2.517
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2022

Registered unemployed by occupation

Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2022

Support Institutions Contacts

Name Contact Website
Public institution Regional development agency of Karlovac County info@ra-kazup.hr https://www.ra-kazup.hr/
Entrepreneurial center Nikola Tesla suzana.novosel@pzk.hr https://www.ra-kazup.hr/
Entrepreneurial center Nikola Tesla bozica.simuncic@pzk.hr https://www.ra-kazup.hr/
Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Karlovac County Chamber hgkka@hgk.hr https://www.hgk.hr/zupanijska-komora-karlovac
Karlovac County Chamber of Crafts ok.karlovac@hok.hr https://www.okkz.hr/
Association of Craftsmen Karlovac uo.karlovac@hok.hr https://www.okkz.hr/
Public institution for encouraging local development, INOVA_DR info@inovadr.hr https://inovadr.hr/kontakt/