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
|
48.292 / 81% |
|
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 (2022)
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
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
|
5.893 |
|
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
13.441 |
|
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
6.438 |
|
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence
|
4.487 |
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 |
|
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 |
1.769 |
1.189 |
|
Mining and quarrying
|
35 |
216 |
1.210 |
|
Manufacturing
|
797 |
3.521 |
1.114 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
62 |
387 |
1.595 |
|
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
|
64 |
1.400 |
1.105 |
|
Construction
|
1.464 |
3.409 |
1.006 |
|
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
1.578 |
7.522 |
1.094 |
|
Transportation and storage
|
485 |
2.086 |
1.275 |
|
Accommodation and food service activities
|
1.480 |
3.011 |
1.114 |
|
Information and communication
|
212 |
467 |
1.536 |
|
Financial and insurance activities
|
21 |
1.202 |
1.793 |
|
Real estate activities
|
528 |
226 |
1.141 |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities
|
843 |
1.274 |
1.357 |
|
Administrative and support service activities
|
827 |
1.492 |
1.028 |
|
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
|
198 |
4.169 |
1.510 |
|
Education
|
186 |
5.041 |
1.441 |
|
Human health and social work activities
|
196 |
3.638 |
1.583 |
|
Arts, entertainment and recreation
|
1.029 |
1.006 |
1.144 |
|
Other service activities
|
1.572 |
357 |
1.105 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022
Unemployed
| |
Rate |
|
Unemployment Rate
|
6,70% |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022
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
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