Međimurje County Download as PDF

Međimurje County is the smallest Croatian county by area, but the strength of its economy and the entrepreneurship and mentality of its population place it at the very top of the entrepreneurial counties in Croatia. The processing industry is the backbone of the county’s economy, and in recent years the service sector is also gaining importance; the  ICT sector, the sector of e-mobility and continental tourism. The county stands out compared to the rest of Croatia with a distinct surplus in the foreign trade balance. In 2019, Međimurje County achieved the highest value of exports per capita (approximately 6,580 euros of exports per capita) compared to other counties. The most important export markets are Germany, Austria and Slovenia. SMEs make up 98% of the Međimurje economy.

In the metal industry in Međimurje, the experience, knowledge and skills have been acquired over generations and have shaped the metal industry into one of the most dynamic sectors in which 165 companies operate. Using modern technologies, they produce various components and final products, from small tools to parts of wind farms, exported mainly to EU countries.

The textile and footwear industry played an important role in the industrial development of Međimurje in the 20th century and still represent an important part of the economy. Numerous small local entrepreneurs have maintained their positions in the market due to innovation, knowledge and flexibility. Also, Međimurje is home to global textile and footwear companies that achieve the highest standards of productivity and product quality.

The food industry, with a tradition of over 100 years and strong agriculture, is successfully growing with completely modernized production and numerous quality certificates.

There are 51 business zones in Međimurje County, and seven more are currently being developed. All zones are in the immediate vicinity of major traffic routes and are fully or partially equipped with infrastructure, which accelerates access and set up for investors. In some zones, investors are given incentives in the form of a complete exemption or reduction of communal fees and contributions. The largest business zones are the Međimurje Business Park, the Nedelišće Business Zone, the North Industrial Zone in Prelog and the North Industrial Zone in Donji Kraljevac.

Foreign direct investments in Međimurje County continue, and they come mostly from Sweden, USA, Austria, Luxembourg and Germany.

The most significant foreign direct investments in Međimurje County:

– Haix footwear (Germany) / FOOTWEAR / 1,163 employees

– LPT Leggett & Platt (USA) / WIRES, WIRE CORE FOR MATTRESSES AND MACHINES / 367 employees

– Hilding Anders (Sweden) / MATTRESSES AND FURNITURE / 543 employees

– LTH Alucast (Slovenia) / PARTS FOR THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY / 222 employees

– Calzedonia (Italy) / PRODUCTION OF SOCKS / 380 employees

– CETITEC (Germany) / SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT / 20 employees

– FRAMOS Technologies (Germany) / VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING / 62 employees

In addition to foreign investments, there are examples of strong local investments in Međimurje that are present on the global market. Company Tehnix Ltd. from Donji Kraljevec is the leading eco industry in the world, and by applying internally developed technology, municipal waste becomes an economic resource. Čateks plc is one of the largest textile companies in the region, whose beginnings date back to 1874. Due to technological development and innovations, Čateks has positioned itself in the market as a producer of technical fabrics and materials for special purposes and higher added value, whose exports in 2021 make up 78.5% of sales revenue.

In recent years, investments in communal infrastructure have intensified in the county, resulting in almost 100 percent coverage in the distribution of electricity, water, gas, telephone, internet, drainage, etc.

The Međimurje County Knowledge Centre is an initiative that transformed a former neglected barracks into a living ecosystem made up of educational, supporting and scientific institutions that proactively support the business sector. Today, entrepreneurial support institutions operate within the Knowledge Centre (Public Institution for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA, Technological Innovation Centre Međimurje Ltd. and Međimurje Energy Agency Ltd.); Međimurje University of Applied Sciences (MEV) with a student dormitory and the Centre for Sustainable Development; MIN-Međimurje Investment, Real estate Ltd..; The Tourist Board of Međimurje County and the Development and Education Centre – Metal Centre Čakovec, which implements projects in the metal and creative industry as well as in medicine.

Throughout Europe, Međimurje County is recognized as a destination suitable for investment, which is confirmed by numerous awards. For the fourth time, Međimurje is among the Top 10 regions for investment in the European Union. The most recent one is the recognition of FDI Magazine (Financial Times) for the year 2022/23; in the category of SMALL EUROPEAN REGIONS OF THE FUTURE for Investment Attraction Strategy, Međimurje County won 6th place.

[Source: Public Institution for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA, July 2022]

Main Indicators

GDP EUR 1.197.916.000
Population 105.250
Men 51.520
Women 53.730
Age 0-14 16.886
Age 15+ 88.364
GDP Per Capita EUR 11.002,00
Area Size km² 729
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 22
Broadband Connections number and density 19.475 / 57%
Number of issued building permits 461
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 130
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR

Activity Amount
Clothing production 67,50
Manufacture of food products 20,80
Manufacture of leather and related products 11,00
Management activities; management consulting 8,00
Real estate activities 7,50
Other 15,60
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR

Country Amount
Luxembourg 48,50
United States 38,30
Austria 31,70
Italy 23,30
Germany 19,40
Other -30,80
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 87.568
Machinery and equipment with fittings 60.387
Transport equipment 9.964
Cultivated biological resources 716
Intellectual property products 2.876
Total 163.245
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

Biggest Investors

Company Activity Website
MEĐIMURSKE VODE d.o.o. WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, MR. WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION http://www.medjimurske-vode.hr
MURAPLAST d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.muraplast.com
TEHNIX d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.tehnix.com
b.t.c. d.o.o. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE; REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES http://www.btc.hr
S-SEČAN d.o.o. TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
TMT d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.tmt.hr
TUBLA d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.tubla.hr
HAIX Obuća d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.haix.com
LTH Alucast d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.lthcastings.com
SOBOČAN d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.sobocan.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
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 4.710
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year 9.220
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year 3.563
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence 2.368
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
Economics, trade and business administration 2 510
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy 2 444
Electrical engineering and computing 1 358
Tourism and catering 2 280
Health and social work 1 240
Construction and geodesy 1 233
Transport and logisitics 1 134
Personal, security and other services 2 124
Agriculture, food and veterinary 2 103
Graphic technology and audio-visual design 1 94
Textiles and leather 1 89
Forestry and wood processing 1 34
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 of Međimurje in Čakovec 154
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 135 217 1.125
Mining and quarrying 7 3 1.212
Manufacturing 1.019 14.917 1.233
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 58 274 1.635
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 77 457 1.136
Construction 1.021 3.209 1.023
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1.252 2.511 1.057
Transportation and storage 226 896 1.092
Accommodation and food service activities 527 882 881
Information and communication 226 543 1.730
Financial and insurance activities 35 418 1.653
Real estate activities 114 86 997
Professional, scientific and technical activities 535 927 1.289
Administrative and support service activities 154 748 827
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 48 1.288 1.549
Education 134 3.130 1.374
Human health and social work activities 112 2.162 1.541
Arts, entertainment and recreation 58 305 1.080
Other service activities 1.164 200 906
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Unemployed

  Rate
Unemployment Rate 4,50%
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Unemployed by Activity

Activity Number
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 46
Mining and quarrying 1
Manufacturing 400
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 2
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 21
Construction 167
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 156
Transportation and storage 31
Accommodation and food service activities 95
Information and communication 22
Financial and insurance activities 14
Real estate activities 2
Professional, scientific and technical activities 38
Administrative and support service activities 35
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 167
Education 79
Human health and social work activities 89
Arts, entertainment and recreation 17
Other service activities 74
Not classified 520
Total 1.976
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 for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA redea@redea.hr https://www.redea.hr/
ČakRa Development Agency of the Town of Čakovec damira@cakra.hr https://cakra.hr/
Technology Innovation Centre Medimurje info@ticm.hr http://www.ticm.hr
MENEA Medjimurje Energy Agency Ltd info@menea.hr https://www.menea.hr/
Entrepreneurial Centre Prelog info@pc-prelog.com https://www.pc-prelog.com/
ACT Group info@act-grupa.hr https://act-grupa.hr/