Krapina – Zagorje County Download as PDF Add to basket

Krapina-Zagorje County is located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Croatia and belongs to the area of central Croatia. The Country borders the Republic of Slovenia and Varaždin County to the north, and again the Republic of Slovenia to the west, Zagreb County and Varaždin County to the east and with the City of Zagreb and the Zagreb County to the south. According to the first results of the 2021 census, Krapina-Zagorje County has 120,942 inhabitants.

Although the size of the Krapina-Zagorje County area is one of the smallest in Croatia, demographically it stands out as one of the most densely populated counties. The county is divided into 7 cities and 25 municipalities with the county headquarters set in the City of Krapina.

Krapina-Zagorje County has an excellent road connectivity and an extremely favorable geographic position within the Republic of Croatia. Since it is located near the capital of Croatia – Zagreb and near the central region of Varaždin. Enabling a large part of the population to migrate daily and perform there day to day activities such as work and education in the mentioned two cities. The international route of the A2 Zagreb-Macelj highway, which runs along the entire county and is part of the European road E59 that connects Croatia with the countries of central Europe, provides the county with great traffic connection, which enables businessmen to work and connect more easily and contribute to the growth of the entire county economy. The economy of the Krapina-Zagorje County is predominantly export oriented and achieves a positive foreign trade balance, with a continuous increase in export. As much as a third of the revenues are generated in foreign markets. The foundation of the economy is the processing industry. Most products of the processing industry are intended for export. Within the processing industry, the most important are the metal processing industry and the production of non-metallic mineral products.

In 2021 there were 2,585 entrepreneurs operating in Krapina-Zagorje County, they employed a total of 23,464 employees. In the period from 2017. to 2021., the number of entrepreneurs is continuously increasing, and compared to 2022., the number increased by 5.2 %, as did the number of employees, which increased by 2.6 %. The total income of entrepreneurs in Krapina-Zagorje County amounts to 2,1 billion EUR which is an increase of 19.6 % compered to 2020. The total expenditures also grew by 19 % compared to 2020., and amounted to 1,9 billion EUR. Labor productivity increased by 16.7 % compared to 2020. Furthermore, revenue from sales abroad reached 677 million EUR, which indicates a growth of 38.8 % compered to 2020. At the same time, imports increased by 14.7 % and amounted to 385 million EUR. The importance and success of exports is also emphasized by the fact that companies from the Krapina-Zagorje County generate 32.1 % of there total revenue on foreign markets. A positive foreign trade balance was achieved in the amount of 292 million EUR and recorded an increase of 60.7 %. According to data provided by FINA, the most significant export markets for goods exchange in 2021 were Slovenia (18.67 %), Germany (15.73 %) and Italy (13.21 %).

According to data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics on the amount of the average net wages per employee in legal entities for the first quarter of 2022. at the county level, Krapina-Zagorje County takes the fifth place with an average net wage of 952 EUR.

The support infrastructure intended for entrepreneurs has been strengthened in the last period, support for the entrepreneurs is also provided by the Entrepreneurship Center of Krapina-Zagorje County, whose activities are related to the operational implementation of measures for the development and encouragement of entrepreneurship, and which represents the center of professional and educational assistance to entrepreneurs. In March 2017., the Bračak Energy Center was officially opened, the first such center in the Republic of Croatia. The Regional Energy Agency of Northwest Croatia (REGEA) operates as part of the Bračak Energy Center. Which is a key stakeholder at the regional level that provides support in the use of financial mechanisms for the implementation of energy projects, and directly contributes to the sustainable economic development. According to the data of the Unified Register of Entrepreneurial infrastructure, there are a total of 17 entrepreneurial zones in the County. The largest economic zone is located in the City of Zabok with an area 170 ha, with a total of 107 users, of which 90 are actively operating in the zone and have 1,809 employees.

Tourism is of great importance to the Krapina-Zagorje County economy, the development of which is based on the valorization of the most important natural resource – thermal springs, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and attractive natural grounds. The slogan “Zagorje – a fairy tale in the palm of your hand”, which makes it a destination for a relaxing holiday tailored to the visitors. It has significantly contributed to increasing the recognition of the destination and the positive perception of the public. Thermal springs are primarily valorized in the form of health tourism, spa and wellness tourism and for sports and recreation, i.e., bathing tourism. The Krapina-Zagorje County tourism development master plan also recognizes family vacation, business tourism and (MICE) events, sports and adventure tourism as key products, as well as three secondary products – cultural tourism, religious tourism and agrotourism. According to the tourism development index, the most developed LGUs in the County are the Tuhelj Municipality (28.59), Stubičke Toplice Municipality (23.54), Krapinske Toplice Municipality (22.63) and City of Donja Stubica (20.90). Agriculture is a traditional activity in the Krapina-Zagorje County that is deeply rooted in the identity of the area.

The Krapina-Zagorje County, through a number of different incentive measures, strives to support Zagorje farmers, raise the quality level of agricultural food and forest products, and ensure competitiveness on the market. At the end of 2021, according to the data of the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, a total of 9,039 agricultural holdings were registered in the County, of which the most numerous were OPGs (family agricultural business) and SOPGs (self-sufficient family agricultural business). The perspective of the further development of agriculture is recognized in the traditional sectors of fruit growing and viticulture, and also in the sectors of poultry and beekeeping in which the Krapina-Zagorje County can achieve significant market potential with products that carry a protected label of origin. So far we can see the results of encouraging the production and promotion of autochthonous agricultural and food products which are protected at the European level, such as “Zagorski puran” (Zagorje turkey), “Zagorski mlinci” (Zagorje flatbread), “Zagorski štrukli/štruklji” (Zagorje pastry) and local acacia honey. Krapina-Zagorje County has significant potential in the form of favorable natural conditions with a relatively mild climate, the potential of livestock cultivation and the opportunities offered by ecological farming. A very important segment of the County’s future development will be the digital transformation, which refers to the process of introducing digital technologies in all areas of managing the socio-economic development of the Krapina-Zagorje County.

[Izvor: Zagorje development agency, July 2022]

 

Main Indicators

GDP EUR	1.015.623.000
Population	120.702
Men	58.777
Women	61.925
Age 0-14	16.595
Age 15+	104.107
GDP Per Capita EUR	8.184,00
Area Size km²	1.229

Gross Value Added by ActivitiesEUR

Infrastructure

Motorways km	38
Broadband Connections number and density	18.532 / 44%
Number of issued building permits	377

Investments

	Amount
Foreign Direct Investments million EUR	367

Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR

Activity	Amount
Manufacture of other non - metallic mineral products	108,60
Manufacture of finished metal products, except machinery and equipment	56,10
Manufacture of paper and paper products	29,50
Wholesale trade, except trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles	24,00
Accommodation	16,90
Other	132,30

Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR

Country	Amount
Switzerland	140,50
Austria	81,80
Belgium	58,70
Hungary	23,60
Italy	22,50
Other	40,20

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

Asset type	Amount (EUR, 000)
Buildings, spaces and structures	78.787
Machinery and equipment with fittings	41.238
Transport equipment	7.506
Cultivated biological resources	664
Intellectual property products	954
Total	131.531

Biggest Investors

Company	Activity	Website
OMCO CROATIA d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.omcomould.com
BISTRA PROJEKT d.o.o.	REAL ESTATE BUSINESS
SATO d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.sato.hr
Vetropack Straža d.d.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.vetropack.hr
TRGOCENTAR d.o.o.	WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES	http://www.trgocentar.hr
GOTRA LOGISTIKA d.o.o.	TRANSPORT AND STORAGE	http://www.gotra-logistika.com
OSTEON GRADNJA d.o.o.	CONSTRUCTION
WÜRTH-HRVATSKA d.o.o.	WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES	http://www.wuerth.com
KNAUF KRAPINA d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.crogips.hr
M.I. HRŠAK d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.mi-hrsak.hr

Maximum Investment Incentives' Intensity according to the Investment Promotion Act

Large enterprises	Medium enterprises	Small and micro-enterprises
50%	60%	70%

International Trade

Export by Activity000 EUR

Import by Activity000 EUR

Export by Country000 EUR

Import by Country000 EUR

Education

Eduction level	Number of pupils
Kindergartens and Other Legal Entities Implementing Preschool Education Programmes	3.618
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year	9.280
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year	4.285
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence	4.138

Number of High School Studends Who Have Completed Their Education

Number of Students and Institutions by Educational Sectors

Educational Sector	Number of Institutions	Number of Students
Economics, trade and business administration	4	547
Health and social work	2	524
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy	4	496
Electrical engineering and computing	3	492
Tourism and catering	4	407
Graphic technology and audio-visual design	1	253
Construction and geodesy	1	209
Personal, security and other services	3	137
Transport and logisitics	2	121
Agriculture, food and veterinary	2	92
Forestry and wood processing	1	28
Textiles and leather	1	2

Students Who Graduated From University Study or Completed Professional Studys

Institutions of Higher Education and Graduated Students

Name	Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study
Polytechnic Hrvatsko Zagorje in Krapina	21

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	101	167	1.055
Mining and quarrying	10	175	1.235
Manufacturing	702	10.707	1.283
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	30	378	1.638
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	30	756	1.180
Construction	827	2.044	1.058
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	871	3.604	1.137
Transportation and storage	214	1.293	1.219
Accommodation and food service activities	323	792	967
Information and communication	151	188	1.969
Financial and insurance activities	24	380	1.754
Real estate activities	73	45	1.444
Professional, scientific and technical activities	388	594	1.385
Administrative and support service activities	107	195	997
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security	77	1.512	1.565
Education	112	3.044	1.371
Human health and social work activities	133	3.527	1.406
Arts, entertainment and recreation	498	173	1.224
Other service activities	1.179	215	1.065

Unemployed

	Rate
Unemployment Rate	6,60%

Unemployed by Activity

Activity	Number
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	22
Mining and quarrying	3
Manufacturing	500
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	2
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	25
Construction	196
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	192
Transportation and storage	53
Accommodation and food service activities	122
Information and communication	21
Financial and insurance activities	21
Real estate activities	12
Professional, scientific and technical activities	46
Administrative and support service activities	56
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security	113
Education	81
Human health and social work activities	145
Arts, entertainment and recreation	17
Other service activities	95
Not classified	269
Total	1.991

Registered unemployed by occupation

Support Institutions Contacts

Name	Contact	Website
Zagorje Development Agency	secretary@zara.hr	https://www.zara.hr/
Krapina Zagorje County Entrepreneurial Centre	info@poduzetnickicentar-kzz.hr	https://poduzetnickicentar-kzz.hr/