Osijek – Baranja County Download as PDF

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
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 42
Broadband Connections number and density 66.483 / 60%
Number of issued building permits 712
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics: Motorways (2021), Building permits (2022), Croatian Regulatory Agency for Network Industries: Broadband Connections (2021)

Investments

  Amount
Foreign Direct Investments million EUR 500
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

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
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

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
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 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
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

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
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 7.591
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year 19.799
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year 10.070
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence 9.351
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021/22

Number of High School Studends Who Have Completed Their Education

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2019/20

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
Source: Ministry of Science and Education, data for 2021/22

Students Who Graduated From University Study or Completed Professional Studys

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

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

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021/2022

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
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 511 4.745 1.182
Mining and quarrying 6 63 1.715
Manufacturing 1.160 11.971 1.059
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 137 1.176 1.576
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 82 1.600 1.147
Construction 1.337 5.185 1.069
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 2.419 8.895 1.067
Transportation and storage 654 3.270 1.060
Accommodation and food service activities 1.217 1.863 915
Information and communication 510 2.305 1.628
Financial and insurance activities 65 1.397 1.473
Real estate activities 158 222 1.109
Professional, scientific and technical activities 1.226 3.578 1.340
Administrative and support service activities 333 1.948 914
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 193 6.589 1.462
Education 258 8.795 1.523
Human health and social work activities 344 6.620 1.719
Arts, entertainment and recreation 1.653 1.208 1.116
Other service activities 3.663 1.298 979
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Unemployed

  Rate
Unemployment Rate 16,80%
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

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
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 Development Agency of Osijek - Baranja County regija@obz.hr http://www.zra.hr/