Zadar County Download as PDF

Zadar County is located in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic coast and, due to its geographic position, holds a key role in connecting the northern and the southern part of the Republic of Croatia. The total area of the county is 7.276 km2. The land area is 3.646 km2, and the sea area is 3.630 km2.
The length of the Zadar county coastline is 22% of the total Croatian coast, that is, about 1.200 km of coastline, with 116 islands, 17 of which are inhabited, and 11,6% of the Croatian territorial waters that belong to Zadar county.

Considering its natural and geographical features, the county is divided into seven spatial-developmental and geomorphological units, namely: Zadar Urban Region, Zadar Islands, Ravni Kotari Coastal Area, Sub-Velebit Canal Area, Bukovica, Lika-Pounje Area and the Island of Pag (part of the island).
Zadar County has 34 units of local self-government, 6 of which are cities and 28 municipalities, with 160.340 inhabitants (according to the 2021 Census). The largest city and the administrative centre of the county is the City of Zadar, the fifth largest city in Croatia. Zadar is the urban centre of northern Dalmatia, and the administrative, economic, cultural and political centre of the region.

It is a city of three-thousand-year-old history, and rich cultural tradition and heritage.

The symbol of the city of Zadar is the Church of St. Donatus from the 9th century, built on the remains of the ancient Roman Forum. Initially dedicated to the Holy Trinity, in the 15th century it began to bear the name of Zadar bishop Donatus. The church no longer has the sacred function, and thanks to the extraordinary acoustics of its interior, for more than 60 years it has been hosting the famous Musical Evenings at St. Donatus festival.

The city of Zadar is also a large university centre. The University of Zadar was founded in year 1396. and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It consists of 27 university departments, attended by approximately 6.000 students. In order to organize and promote scientific and research work, the University had established four scientific and research centres as special organizational units. In addition, two teaching centres operate at the University: the Centre for Gymnastics and Student Sports and the Centre for Foreign Languages.
An indented coast with numerous islets, clear sea and beautiful and diverse vegetation are some of the natural treasures that abound in Zadar County. The Paklenica National Park, three Parks of Nature (Telašćica, Velebit and Vrana Lake) and numerous protected natural areas are special characteristics of the wealth of Zadar County. All these natural beauties, along with rich cultural and historical heritage, are the basis of successful tourism, as the main economic branch in the development of Zadar County.

Along tourism, the food-processing industry, fishing, mariculture and seafaring are all key economic branches for the overall development of Zadar County.
Zadar County has a particularly significant potential in the development of nautical tourism. Compared to other coastal counties, it has the largest sea area (1.155.124 m2), the largest number of nautical ports (47), and the largest number of anchorages in its area (41% of the total number of anchorages in the Republic of Croatia).

Zadar county is a leader in mariculture and fishing in Croatia, and this sector is one of the most important export assets. More than 50% of the total fish catch on the Croatian side of the Adriatic is caught and landed in Zadar County. In the county there are 3 out of a total of 4 tuna farms registered in the Republic of Croatia and, in addition to blue fish, Zadar County is also a leader in the cultivation of white fish, especially sea bream and sea bass. Fish processing has a centuries-old tradition in Zadar county. The first fish canning factories on the Adriatic were precisely in Zadar, and the fish processing capacities in Zadar County have an important position in the Croatian fish industry.

The area of Ravni Kotari is one of the most fruitful agricultural areas in the Republic of Croatia, and is certainly the most important region of Adriatic Croatia in terms of share of arable agricultural land. Thanks to the fertile area of Ravni Kotari, Zadar County has great agricultural potential, with special emphasis on ecological production. Top quality wines and top-rated olive oils and cheeses are produced here, and quality fruits and vegetables are grown here.

Zadar county is the Croatian leader in terms of investments in renewable energy resources, especially in the field of using the wind energy potential. In the last years, several more wind farms were built in the county, namely Benkovac, Obrovac and Gračac. The total rated power of wind turbines built and put into use in Zadar county is 103,2 MW, with a significant reduction in harmful CO2 emissions (about 130.000 tons per year), which contributes to the achievement of the EU energy policy goals.
In the Zadar county area, the solar energy potential amounts to about 4,9 million GWh of aerated energy of total solar radiation per year. Taking into account the construction of a solar power plant of 1,5 to 2 million euros per MW of installed power, we can conclude that there is a possibility for significant potential financial investment in the energy sector in Zadar county.

In Zadar county there are infrastructurally equipped business zones ready to welcome investors:
• BZ Lonići – Bibinje 50 ha
• BZ Gromica – Bibinje 250 ha
• BZ Zemunik Donji – Smoković 70 ha
• BZ Crno 400 ha
• BZ Murvica Jug 68 ha
• BZ Poličnik – Grabi 55 ha
• Including the storage and cargo area of Kepol Terminal d.o.o. for the storage and sale of chemicals and solid petroleum products within the Gaženica industrial zone with a capacity of 60.000 m3.

Near the business zones the Port of Gaženica and Zadar Airport are located. The industrial-warehouse and cargo-port area is optimally located in relation to the city and the main traffic routes of the highway, railway, sea and air traffic. The fishing and ferry port for cruise travels, the cargo, RO-RO and container port, as well as the passenger port of Gaženica enabled the simultaneous loading and unloading of passengers, cars and cargo.

Zadar Airport is located only 7 km from the Port of Gaženica and is directly connected by the four-lane road D424 Zadar, 17,6 km with the A1 highway (Zadar II – Sveti Rok – Bosiljevo – Zagreb), and from Zagreb by highway with all neighbouring European countries. By air flights it is connected to more than 60 destinations, and has a capacity for 1,2 million passengers.
Zadar Airport will also be able to accept aircraft for long flights thanks to the extended take-off and landing project, which envisages a complete reconstruction and expansion of the 700-meter long take-off and landing runway. The development of Zadar Airport, with a focus on the extension of the runway, is included in the list of strategic projects of the Republic of Croatia. In addition to the modernization of the railway and the connection with the Port of Gaženica, the goal is to achieve the transport intermodality.

[Source: Public institution ZADRA NOVA – Zadar County Development Agency, July 2022]

Main Indicators

GDP EUR 1.775.851.000
Population 159.766
Men 78.193
Women 81.573
Age 0-14 23.264
Age 15+ 136.502
GDP Per Capita EUR 10.572,00
Area Size km² 3.646
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 74
Broadband Connections number and density 44.929 / 74%
Number of issued building permits 1.295
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 1.299
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR

Activity Amount
Proprietary investments in real estate 697,20
Water transport 202,80
Metal production 179,30
Sports activities and entertainment and recreational activities 65,30
Repair and installation of machinery and equipment 30,90
Other 123,20
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2022

Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR

Country Amount
Austria 349,30
Germany 211,00
Slovenia 188,20
Slovakia 120,90
Netherlands 103,40
Other 326,00
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 168.182
Machinery and equipment with fittings 98.769
Transport equipment 18.690
Cultivated biological resources 2.771
Intellectual property products 3.011
Total 302.588
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

Biggest Investors

Company Activity Website
KOMUNALAC d.o.o. WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, MR. WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION http://www.cistoca-zadar.hr
ALUFLEXPACK NOVI d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.aluflexpack.com
PUNTA SKALA d.o.o. ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE http://www.falkensteiner.com
EKO d.o.o. WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, MR. WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION http://www.eko-go.hr
TANKERSKA PLOVIDBA d.d. TRANSPORT AND STORAGE http://www.tankerska.hr
VODOVOD-VIR d.o.o. WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, MR. WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION http://www.vir.hr
VODOVOD POVLJANA d.o.o. WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, MR. WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION http://www.vodovodpovljana.hr
KREKIĆ AVANGARD d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.krekic-avangard.hr
LTH Metalni lijev d.o.o. MANUFACTURING http://www.lthcastings.com
JADRAN-TUNA d.o.o. AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES http://www.jadran-tuna.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
40% 50% 60%
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 5.476
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year 13.411
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year 6.438
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence 6.515
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021/2022

Number of High School Studends Who Have Completed Their Education

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2019/2020

Number of Students and Institutions by Educational Sectors

Educational Sector Number of Institutions Number of Students
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy 6 782
Economics, trade and business administration 5 754
Tourism and catering 3 667
Electrical engineering and computing 2 394
Health and social work 1 368
Agriculture, food and veterinary 1 337
Transport and logistics 2 317
Personal, security and other services 3 240
Graphic technology and audio-visual design 1 176
Construction and geodesy 2 116
Forestry, wood processing and wood processing 2 84
Geology, mining, petroleum and chemical technology 1 69
Textiles and leather 1 43
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

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
University of Zadar 1.044
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 342 1.641 1.189
Mining and quarrying 35 185 1.210
Manufacturing 797 3.103 1.114
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 62 393 1.595
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 64 1.294 1.105
Construction 1.464 3.383 1.006
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1.578 7.188 1.094
Transportation and storage 485 1.744 1.275
Accommodation and food service activities 1.480 2.499 1.114
Information and communication 212 467 1.536
Financial and insurance activities 21 1.177 1.793
Real estate activities 528 160 1.141
Professional, scientific and technical activities 843 1.177 1.357
Administrative and support service activities 827 1.472 1.028
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 198 4.115 1.510
Education 186 4.769 1.441
Human health and social work activities 196 3.448 1.583
Arts, entertainment and recreation 1.029 928 1.144
Other service activities 1.572 306 1.105
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022

Unemployed

  Rate
Unemployment Rate 8,50%
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2021

Unemployed by Activity

Activity Number
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 104
Mining and quarrying 9
Manufacturing 328
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 3
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 37
Construction 220
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 467
Transportation and storage 140
Accommodation and food service activities 559
Information and communication 37
Financial and insurance activities 30
Real estate activities 18
Professional, scientific and technical activities 104
Administrative and support service activities 175
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security 131
Education 178
Human health and social work activities 124
Arts, entertainment and recreation 59
Other service activities 204
Not classified 500
Total 3.427
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 ZADRA NOVA - Zadar County Development Agency zadra@zadra.hr https://www.zadra.hr/hr/
Institution for the development of competences, innovation and specialization of the Zadar County INOVAcija info@inovacija-zadar.hr http://www.inovacija-zadar.hr/
Zadar County Rural Development Agency AGRRA ivica.pintur@agrra.hr http://www.agrra.hr/