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
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
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