Istria County, located on the western edge of Croatia, occupies a strategic position almost at the heart of Europe, which gives it a significant advantage in global business and transport flows. Along with the City of Zagreb, Istria is one of the most developed counties, and its economy is characterized by a diverse and dynamic structure. Tourism generates exceptionally high revenues and strongly drives economic activity in the region. In addition to tourism, key sectors supporting the economic development of Istria include manufacturing, agriculture, and enogastronomy.
In the industrial sector, Istria stands out for the production of construction materials, tobacco products, electrical machinery, the automotive industry, glass industry, metalworking, plastics, wood, and others. In recent years, the IT sector has also seen a strong rise, led by the company Infobip, along with a number of smaller but very promising enterprises. Public sector investment in the development of entrepreneurial infrastructure is also of great importance in this area, along with numerous incentives and credit programs.
A particularly valuable sector is agriculture, which has made significant progress through systematic investments over many years. Istria is now recognized as an enogastronomic brand, with its olive oils and wines ranking among the best in the world. Recently, there has been a special focus on ecological food production, in which significant progress has been made.
Istria County is a region that has achieved above-average progress, and development continues, with a special emphasis on sustainability. Its strategic location, natural beauty, rich history and cultural heritage, along with cooperation with numerous international regions, make Istria an exceptionally attractive destination for foreign investments.
[Source: Istria Development Agency – IDA, February 2025]
Main Indicators
|
GDP
EUR
|
4.635.409.174 |
|
Population
|
202.844 |
|
Men |
99.296 |
|
Women |
103.548 |
|
Age 0-14 |
25.538 |
|
Age 15+ |
177.306 |
|
GDP Per Capita
EUR
|
22.910,43 |
|
Area Size
km²
|
2.813 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics: GDP (2023), Population (2024, Estimate), Area size (2021)
Gross Value Added by ActivitiesEUR
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2023
Infrastructure
|
Motorways
km
|
127 |
|
Broadband Connections
number and density
|
52.788 / 70% |
|
Number of issued building permits
|
1.805 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics: Motorways (2024), Building permits (2024), Croatian Regulatory Agency for Network Industries: Broadband Connections (Q2 2024)
Investments
| |
Amount |
|
Foreign Direct Investments
million EUR
|
3.596 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2024
Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR
| Activity |
Amount |
|
Proprietary investments in real estate
|
1.710,85 |
|
Manufacture of tobacco products
|
556,94 |
|
Accommodation
|
400,80 |
|
Manufacture of other non - metallic mineral products
|
382,81 |
|
Real estate activities
|
120,59 |
|
Other
|
425,74 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2024
Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR
| Country |
Amount |
|
Germany
|
784,85 |
|
United Kingdom
|
630,49 |
|
Slovenia
|
600,74 |
|
Austria
|
421,97 |
|
Italy
|
283,61 |
|
Other
|
876,07 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2024
Gross Investment in new Fixed Assets, by Location of Investment Constructions and Types of Assets
| Asset type |
Amount (EUR, 000) |
| Buildings, spaces and structures |
556.748 |
| Machinery and equipment with fittings |
229.266 |
| Transport equipment |
60.330 |
| Cultivated biological resources |
5.522 |
| Intellectual property products |
13.516 |
|
Total
|
881.797
|
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Biggest Investors
Source: Financial Agency, data for 2024
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 2024
Import by Activity000 EUR
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Export by Country000 EUR
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Import by Country000 EUR
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Education
| Eduction level |
Number of pupils |
|
Kindergartens and Other Legal Entities Implementing Preschool Education Programmes
|
8.091 |
|
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
14.800 |
|
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
7.029 |
|
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence
|
4.218 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024/2025
Number of High School Studends Who Have Completed Their Education
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2023/2024
Number of Students and Institutions by Educational Sectors
| Educational Sector |
Number of Institutions |
Number of Students |
|
Tourism and catering
|
9 |
1.141 |
|
Economics, trade and business administration
|
11 |
1.021 |
|
Electrical engineering and computing
|
10 |
967 |
|
Health and social work
|
2 |
530 |
|
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy
|
9 |
420 |
|
Personal, security and other services
|
3 |
292 |
|
Agriculture, food and veterinary
|
3 |
261 |
|
Construction and geodesy
|
2 |
220 |
|
Graphic technology and audio-visual design
|
1 |
33 |
|
Forestry and logging
|
1 |
31 |
|
Textiles and leather
|
1 |
3 |
Source: Ministry of Science and Education, data for 2024/2025
Students Who Graduated From University Study or Completed Professional Studys
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Students Enrolled at Institutions of Higher Education, by Scientific and Artistic Fields of Study
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2022/2023
Institutions of Higher Education and Graduated Students
| Name |
Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study |
|
College of Management and Security Securus, Pula - Pola
|
23 |
|
Istrian University of Applied Sciences in Pula – Pola
|
25 |
|
University of Pula – Pola
|
735 |
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
|
297 |
873 |
1.555 |
|
Mining and quarrying
|
19 |
160 |
1.786 |
|
Manufacturing
|
1.174 |
10.534 |
1.612 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
61 |
581 |
2.224 |
|
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
|
52 |
1.995 |
1.649 |
|
Construction
|
2.452 |
7.283 |
1.360 |
|
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
2.377 |
9.587 |
1.513 |
|
Transportation and storage
|
386 |
2.587 |
1.482 |
|
Accommodation and food service activities
|
1.620 |
12.722 |
1.618 |
|
Information and communication
|
449 |
1.799 |
2.478 |
|
Financial and insurance activities
|
44 |
1.255 |
2.083 |
|
Real estate activities
|
1.922 |
820 |
1.380 |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities
|
1.838 |
3.187 |
1.741 |
|
Administrative and support service activities
|
1.011 |
2.809 |
1.272 |
|
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
|
190 |
3.996 |
2.241 |
|
Education
|
229 |
6.542 |
1.884 |
|
Human health and social work activities
|
277 |
3.907 |
2.317 |
|
Arts, entertainment and recreation
|
1.541 |
1.952 |
1.611 |
|
Other service activities
|
2.461 |
931 |
1.413 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed
| |
Rate |
|
Unemployment Rate
|
3,10% |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed by Activity
| Activity |
Number |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
49 |
| Mining and quarrying |
1 |
| Manufacturing |
348 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
2 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities |
25 |
| Construction |
208 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
297 |
| Transportation and storage |
76 |
| Accommodation and food service activities |
546 |
| Information and communication |
47 |
| Financial and insurance activities |
27 |
| Real estate activities |
26 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities |
92 |
| Administrative and support service activities |
195 |
| Public administration and defence, compulsory social security |
21 |
| Education |
128 |
| Human health and social work activities |
63 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation |
51 |
| Other service activities |
102 |
| Not classified |
222 |
| Total |
2.526 |
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
Registered unemployed by occupation
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
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