Osijek – Baranja County Download as PDF Add to basket

Osijek-Baranja County is situated in the northeast of the Republic of Croatia, in a predominantly flat area around the lower course of the Drava River to its confluence with the Danube. The county extends from Donji Miholjac and Našice in the west to Erdut in the east, and from the Croatian-Hungarian border in the north to Brod-Posavina County and Vukovar-Srijem County in the south. It covers a few large regions – Baranja in the northeast, Podravina and the Našice region in the west and the Đakovo region in the south.

The county covers an area of 4,155 km2 and has 263 settlements with a total population of 259,481. In terms of legal status, it is a regional self-government unit, administratively divided into seven cities/towns and 35 municipalities. The City of Osijek is the county’s industrial, administrative, academic, legal, health, sports and cultural centre, the largest city in Slavonia and the fourth largest city in Croatia.

Osijek-Baranja County has an extremely favourable position in terms of geostrategy and traffic, with a well-developed road and railway infrastructure (1,700 km of roads and 180 km of railways) and transport corridors. The Pan-European Corridor Vc connects Central Europe with the Adriatic Sea, while the A5 motorway, connecting directly to the A3, connects the county with Zagreb, the Croatian capital. The Danube, the Drava and ports in Osijek, Batina and Aljmaš are part of the network of European rivers. Osijek Airport is an international regional airport, located 20 km away from Osijek. The excellent road and railway infrastructure as well as the vicinity of the Drava, the Danube and river ports give the Osijek Airport enormous potential for the transport of goods and services.

Rich and well-preserved natural resources, high-quality soil (260,778 hectares of arable land), water supplies and a moderate continental climate make this area very suitable for agriculture. Farming and livestock breeding, vegetable farming, fruit farming and viticulture are well-developed. Osijek-Baranja County is rich in thermal waters and various types of wood, including oak, ash, beech, poplar and other. Numerous irrigation systems are being developed in the county and the construction of the Osijek-Baranja County Regional Fruit and Vegetable Distribution Centre is nearly completed, with the latter aiming to ensure the infrastructure required for receiving and trading in agricultural products intended particularly for small farmers.

Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, founded in 1975, is the third oldest and largest Croatian university. There are 17 components operating as part of the University, including the Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Food Technology, Faculty of Law, Academy of Arts and Culture and others. Excellent structure of education, availability of formal education and networking with scientific and research institutions are the comparative advantages of this area.

Osijek-Baranja County is the capital of continental tourism in Croatia. Its unique tourist offer gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy cultural, active, gastronomy and ethnic, religious, medical and cycling tourism. It has a perfect combination of nature, intangible cultural heritage, rural life and memorable food and ethnic experiences, blending into a unique tourist product that all visitors appreciate, recognise and keep returning to. Kopački Rit Nature Park, a world-renowned nature reserve and a wetland home to over 2,300 biological and 300 bird species, is a true pearl of eastern Croatia’s natural heritage.

Agriculture and the food industry are the most important economic sectors leading the development of Osijek-Baranja County. However, the tourist sector, which has enormous potential, has also received great attention and experienced accelerated growth in recent years. When it comes to the county’s development, special emphasis is placed on green transition and digital transformation, environmental impact minimisation, climate change mitigation and implementation of new technological systems in all parts of social and business life.

The economy of Osijek-Baranja County is dominated by the processing industry, especially the food processing industry, characterised by the availability of raw materials and processing capacities as well as a long-standing tradition of production. The metal, chemical, wood and paper industry are also well-developed, just like agriculture, civil engineering, trade and tourism. The ICT industry is thriving particularly in Osijek. The county’s economic activity is dominated by micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Entrepreneurial zones are the core of economic growth and development. In about 30 zones across the county, which are equipped with the necessary infrastructure, entrepreneurs can be given favourable business conditions, such as free or subsidised land, reduced municipal contribution or even full exemption from municipal contribution payment. The county has also developed a network of business support institutions, particularly business centres, incubators and accelerators. The construction of the Economic Centre in Osijek is almost complete as well and its goal is to develop a new business infrastructure and increase economic activities, with a focus on business events, fairs and conferences.

Osijek-Baranja County is a favourable location for domestic and foreign investment. The County Administration is competent for providing expert and administrative support to all potential investors. It can also ensure cooperation and networking with all competent institutions, making it possible for investments to be realised more efficiently and quickly. The creation of a stimulating business environment via regional and state support measures increases the competitiveness of this area and builds an excellent foundation for sustainable growth and development.

[Source: Public Institution Development Agency of Osijek – Baranja County, July 2022]

Main Indicators

GDP EUR	2.694.504.000
Population	258.026
Men	124.201
Women	133.825
Age 0-14	35.416
Age 15+	222.610
GDP Per Capita EUR	10.004,00
Area Size km²	4.155

Gross Value Added by ActivitiesEUR

Infrastructure

Motorways km	42
Broadband Connections number and density	67.867 / 68%
Number of issued building permits	712

Investments

	Amount
Foreign Direct Investments million EUR	500

Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR

Activity	Amount
Manufacture of paper and paper products	117,20
Construction of civil engineering buildings	78,50
Forestry and logging	72,50
Manufacture of machines and devices	61,70
Computer programming, consulting and related activities	51,50
Other	188,50

Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR

Country	Amount
Austria	231,10
Germany	124,30
United States	52,00
Netherlands	51,30
Hungary	41,50
Other	-0,40

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

Asset type	Amount (EUR, 000)
Buildings, spaces and structures	230.744
Machinery and equipment with fittings	131.311
Transport equipment	21.242
Cultivated biological resources	9.675
Intellectual property products	3.564
Total	402.061

Biggest Investors

Company	Activity	Website
NEXE d.d.	MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY	http://www.nexe.hr
Mesna industrija RAVLIĆ d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY	http://www.ravlic.hr
Harburg-Freudenberger Belišće d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY	http://www.hf.group.com
NOVPROS d.o.o.	AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES	http://www.zito.hr
DS Smith Belišće Croatia d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY	http://www.dssmith.com
HEP-PLIN d.o.o.	SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS, STEAM AND AIR CONDITIONING	http://www.hep.hr/plin/
M nekretnine d.o.o.	REAL ESTATE BUSINESS
GRAVIA d.o.o.	CONSTRUCTION
SVINJOGOJSKA FARMA LIPOVAČA - PRKOS d.o.o.	AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES	http://www.zito.hr
TUČ d.d.	MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY	http://www.uljara.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	7.590
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year	19.660
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year	10.070
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence	6.860

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	9	1.323
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy	9	1.003
Electrical engineering and computing	5	973
Tourism and catering	7	818
Health and social work	1	679
Agriculture, food and veterinary	8	617
Construction and geodesy	2	374
Personal, security and other services	6	357
Transport and logistics	2	211
Graphic technology and audio-visual design	2	132
Forestry, wood processing and wood processing	3	80
Geology, mining, petroleum and chemical technology	1	25
Textiles and leather	1	11

Students Who Graduated From University Study or Completed Professional Studys

Students Enrolled at Institutions of Higher Education, by Scientific and Artistic Fields of Study

Institutions of Higher Education and Graduated Students

Name	Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study
Evangelical Theological Seminary, Osijek	4
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Osijek	161
Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, Osijek	384
Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences, Osijek	241
Faculty of Economics, Osijek	532
Faculty of Law, Osijek	363
Department of Biology of University of Osijek	66
Department of Mathematics of University of Osijek	92
Department of Physics of University of Osijek	11
Department of Chemistry of University of Osijek	52
Faculty of Medicine, Osijek	121
Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek	414
Faculty of Food Technology, Osijek	148
Faculty of Educational Sciences, Osijek	170
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Osijek	357
Catholic Theological Faculty, Đakovo	19
Academy of Arts and Culture, Osijek	171

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	511	4.727	1.182
Mining and quarrying	6	53	1.715
Manufacturing	1.160	12.273	1.059
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	137	1.201	1.576
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	82	1.608	1.147
Construction	1.337	5.487	1.069
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	2.419	9.258	1.067
Transportation and storage	654	3.397	1.060
Accommodation and food service activities	1.217	2.036	915
Information and communication	510	2.481	1.628
Financial and insurance activities	65	1.336	1.473
Real estate activities	158	232	1.109
Professional, scientific and technical activities	1.226	3.682	1.340
Administrative and support service activities	333	2.117	914
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security	193	6.054	1.462
Education	258	8.890	1.523
Human health and social work activities	344	6.560	1.719
Arts, entertainment and recreation	1.653	1.267	1.116
Other service activities	3.663	1.199	979

Unemployed

	Rate
Unemployment Rate	14,90%

Unemployed by Activity

Activity	Number
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	809
Mining and quarrying	11
Manufacturing	1.768
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	14
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	175
Construction	827
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	1.415
Transportation and storage	238
Accommodation and food service activities	1.300
Information and communication	148
Financial and insurance activities	99
Real estate activities	30
Professional, scientific and technical activities	397
Administrative and support service activities	631
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security	2.184
Education	419
Human health and social work activities	546
Arts, entertainment and recreation	147
Other service activities	960
Not classified	2.482
Total	14.600

Registered unemployed by occupation

Support Institutions Contacts

Name	Contact	Website
Public Institution Development Agency of Osijek - Baranja County	regija@obz.hr	http://www.zra.hr/