Karlovac County is located in central Croatia and represents a link between continental and coastal Croatia and the intersection of Europe and the Adriatic coast. The area of the County includes five cities (Duga Resa, Karlovac, Ogulin, Ozalj, and Slunj), and seventeen municipalities (Barilović, Bosiljevo, Cetingrad, Draganić, Generalski Stol, Josipdol, Kamanje, Krnjak, Lasinja, Netretić, Plaški, Rakovica, Ribnik, Saborsko, Tounj, Vojnić, and Žakanje). The County has a surface area of 3,626 square kilometers and a population of 112,596. Karlovac County borders two neighboring countries: the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and four counties: Zagreb County, Sisak-Moslavina County, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, and Lika-Senj County. The city of Karlovac is the County’s administrative, political, and economic center. It is connected by highway to the capital, Zagreb (39 km), and Rijeka (Rijeka Port 113 km). Karlovac County is the intersection of the most important roads connecting Europe with the Adriatic coast. At the inter-regional junction Bosiljevo, the motorway branches off towards Rijeka and Split and further on to Dubrovnik. The motorway exits connect Karlovac County with modern roads to the neighboring Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The railway corridors Zagreb-Rijeka, Zagreb-Split, with a junction in Oštarije near Ogulin, and Karlovac-Ozalj-Republic of Slovenia also pass through Karlovac County.
Significant energy corridors (the Adriatic Oil Pipeline, the Gas Pipeline, and important power lines) pass through the area of Karlovac County. Most of the entrepreneurial zones in Karlovac County are located along or near road and railway routes, which is convenient for the fast and economical transport of goods. The transit position and rich industrial and historical heritage are permanent values on which the economy and quality of life in this area are based.
The natural wealth is represented by four rivers: Korana, Mrežnica, Kupa, and Dobra. Swimming in clean waters, rowing, rafting, and canoeing, hunting in the forests from Draganić to Klek and Modruš, hiking trails and paths, cycling paths, caves, and many other natural values of this region provide various opportunities for rest and recreation, which is a good basis for the development of tourism. In addition, monuments of historical architecture such as numerous old towns and castles, and valuable sacral buildings, are particularly interesting. Karlovac County is the most visited tourist destination in continental Croatia, after the city of Zagreb, with strong momentum for the development of all forms of tourism, especially active tourism.
Karlovac County is industrially oriented. The economic profile of Karlovac County today is characterized by developed entrepreneurship, especially in the processing industry, which is the main driver of development with a wide range of activities and products. The most important branches of the processing industry according to the total revenue generated are the production of food products and beverages, the production of metal products, the production of machinery and equipment, the production of rubber and plastic products, the production of wood and wood products, the production of textiles, etc.
The high quality of work and professional staff, along with the use of the most modern equipment and materials, result in a strong construction sector, which can boast excellent references in the execution of various facilities and objects: geotechnical works, industrial facilities and hydro-engineering facilities, transport infrastructure facilities, residential and commercial buildings, etc., not only in the Croatian market, but also in the markets of neighboring countries.
The entrepreneurial environment in the County is recognized by numerous renowned entrepreneurs in both domestic and foreign ownership. Some of the largest are: HS Produkt (firearms manufacturing company), PPK – Karlovačka mesna industrija (Karlovac Meat Industry), Tiskara Lana Karlovac (biggest producer of printed commercial carton and cardboard packaging for pharmaceutical and food industry, along with being a classic offset printing facility for many other carton and cardboard products), Bjelin (innovative flooring company, designing and manufacturing floors based on the patented click lock flooring technology as well as other technologies), Tvornica turbina Karlovac (TTK – Turbine Works Ltd.), General Electric Croatia, Heineken Croatia, DW Reusables, Wienerberger, Semmelrock Stein + Design, Infosys Ltd., ZRE Katowice, Feal (aluminum and aluminum products), and many others.
The food production sector includes the production of meat and durable and semi-durable meat products; production of milk and dairy products; bakery products; production and processing of original Ogulin sauerkraut, and others. When it comes to beverage production, beer production, which originated in the mid-19th century, is dominant, today led by the well-known Karlovačko pivo brand. Business entities in the metalworking industry and mechanical engineering of Karlovac County are focused on export, the introduction of new technologies, the education of professional personnel, certification of quality systems, environmentally friendly production, and connections with domestic and foreign manufacturers.
More than half of the territory of Karlovac County is covered by forests and forest land, which represents an excellent basis for the development of the wood processing sector, which has a rich tradition in primary and final wood processing. The sector includes the production of sawn timber, packaging, construction joinery, flooring materials, furniture and furniture parts, and more. Despite the dynamic challenges of the global market, the textile industry of Karlovac County has maintained its position as a significant exporter by focusing on foreign markets and innovating in the production process, especially in the production of various types of technical fabrics. On the other hand, clothing manufacturers also invest in designing new quality products, so there are recognizable fashion brands of entrepreneurs from Karlovac County on the market.
A significant comparative advantage of Karlovac County is its exceptional geographical position in Central Croatia and its borders with two countries: the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This strategic position enables business and investment, given that the most important entrepreneurial zones in the County are connected by modern highways and are approximately 95 km from the Port of Rijeka or 55 km from Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb.
[Source: Public institution Regional development agency of Karlovac County, March 2025]
Main Indicators
|
GDP
EUR
|
1.649.884.443 |
|
Population
|
109.823 |
|
Men |
53.791 |
|
Women |
56.032 |
|
Age 0-14 |
13.866 |
|
Age 15+ |
95.957 |
|
GDP Per Capita
EUR
|
15.063,95 |
|
Area Size
km²
|
3.626 |
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
|
84 |
|
Broadband Connections
number and density
|
22.604 / 53% |
|
Number of issued building permits
|
239 |
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
|
285 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2024
Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR
| Activity |
Amount |
|
Beverage production
|
93,54 |
|
Processing of wood and wood and cork products, except furniture; production of products from straw and plaiting materials
|
80,17 |
|
Manufacture of machines and devices
|
71,99 |
|
Manufacture of rubber and plastic products
|
29,72 |
|
Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products
|
8,45 |
|
Other
|
0,68 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2024
Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR
| Country |
Amount |
|
Netherlands
|
353,56 |
|
Sweden
|
78,80 |
|
Germany
|
56,49 |
|
Slovenia
|
37,41 |
|
United Kingdom
|
13,16 |
|
Other
|
-254,88 |
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 |
146.678 |
| Machinery and equipment with fittings |
63.740 |
| Transport equipment |
17.345 |
| Cultivated biological resources |
5.415 |
| Intellectual property products |
3.039 |
|
Total
|
247.543
|
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 |
| 50% |
60% |
70% |
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 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
|
3.429 |
|
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
7.769 |
|
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
3.840 |
|
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence
|
2.489 |
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 |
|
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy
|
5 |
478 |
|
Electrical engineering and computing
|
3 |
388 |
|
Health and social work
|
1 |
375 |
|
Economics, trade and business administration
|
4 |
355 |
|
Tourism and catering
|
4 |
330 |
|
Agriculture, food and veterinary
|
3 |
236 |
|
Forestry and wood processing
|
2 |
220 |
|
Construction and geodesy
|
2 |
204 |
|
Personal, security and other services
|
2 |
181 |
|
Transport and logisitics
|
2 |
100 |
|
Graphic technology and audio-visual design
|
2 |
56 |
|
Textile and leather
|
1 |
37 |
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
Institutions of Higher Education and Graduated Students
| Name |
Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study |
|
Polytechnic in Karlovac
|
392 |
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
|
191 |
859 |
1.665 |
|
Mining and quarrying
|
3 |
11 |
2.069 |
|
Manufacturing
|
449 |
8.586 |
1.632 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
32 |
392 |
2.057 |
|
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
|
32 |
804 |
1.513 |
|
Construction
|
528 |
2.789 |
1.495 |
|
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
486 |
3.137 |
1.522 |
|
Transportation and storage
|
149 |
1.927 |
1.574 |
|
Accommodation and food service activities
|
285 |
1.365 |
1.310 |
|
Information and communication
|
113 |
627 |
2.229 |
|
Financial and insurance activities
|
16 |
459 |
2.059 |
|
Real estate activities
|
58 |
136 |
1.567 |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities
|
342 |
803 |
1.813 |
|
Administrative and support service activities
|
89 |
411 |
1.273 |
|
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
|
160 |
2.809 |
2.268 |
|
Education
|
99 |
3.179 |
1.945 |
|
Human health and social work activities
|
126 |
2.831 |
2.284 |
|
Arts, entertainment and recreation
|
593 |
461 |
1.628 |
|
Other service activities
|
1.263 |
346 |
1.314 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed
| |
Rate |
|
Unemployment Rate
|
5,80% |
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
Unemployed by Activity
| Activity |
Number |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
69 |
| Mining and quarrying |
2 |
| Manufacturing |
275 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
2 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities |
20 |
| Construction |
131 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
163 |
| Transportation and storage |
42 |
| Accommodation and food service activities |
232 |
| Information and communication |
20 |
| Financial and insurance activities |
9 |
| Real estate activities |
3 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities |
43 |
| Administrative and support service activities |
69 |
| Public administration and defence, compulsory social security |
141 |
| Education |
87 |
| Human health and social work activities |
121 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation |
38 |
| Other service activities |
89 |
| Not classified |
377 |
| Total |
1.933 |
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
Registered unemployed by occupation
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
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