Krapina – Zagorje County Download as PDF Add to basket

Krapina-Zagorje County is located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Croatia and belongs to the area of central Croatia. The Country borders the Republic of Slovenia and Varaždin County to the north, and again the Republic of Slovenia to the west, Zagreb County and Varaždin County to the east and with the City of Zagreb and the Zagreb County to the south. According to the first results of the 2021 census, Krapina-Zagorje County has 120,942 inhabitants.

Although the size of the Krapina-Zagorje County area is one of the smallest in Croatia, demographically it stands out as one of the most densely populated counties. The county is divided into 7 cities and 25 municipalities with the county headquarters set in the City of Krapina.

Krapina-Zagorje County has an excellent road connectivity and an extremely favorable geographic position within the Republic of Croatia. Since it is located near the capital of Croatia – Zagreb and near the central region of Varaždin. Enabling a large part of the population to migrate daily and perform there day to day activities such as work and education in the mentioned two cities. The international route of the A2 Zagreb-Macelj highway, which runs along the entire county and is part of the European road E59 that connects Croatia with the countries of central Europe, provides the county with great traffic connection, which enables businessmen to work and connect more easily and contribute to the growth of the entire county economy. The economy of the Krapina-Zagorje County is predominantly export oriented and achieves a positive foreign trade balance, with a continuous increase in export. As much as a third of the revenues are generated in foreign markets. The foundation of the economy is the processing industry. Most products of the processing industry are intended for export. Within the processing industry, the most important are the metal processing industry and the production of non-metallic mineral products.

In 2021 there were 2,585 entrepreneurs operating in Krapina-Zagorje County, they employed a total of 23,464 employees. In the period from 2017. to 2021., the number of entrepreneurs is continuously increasing, and compared to 2022., the number increased by 5.2 %, as did the number of employees, which increased by 2.6 %. The total income of entrepreneurs in Krapina-Zagorje County amounts to 2,1 billion EUR which is an increase of 19.6 % compered to 2020. The total expenditures also grew by 19 % compared to 2020., and amounted to 1,9 billion EUR. Labor productivity increased by 16.7 % compared to 2020. Furthermore, revenue from sales abroad reached 677 million EUR, which indicates a growth of 38.8 % compered to 2020. At the same time, imports increased by 14.7 % and amounted to 385 million EUR. The importance and success of exports is also emphasized by the fact that companies from the Krapina-Zagorje County generate 32.1 % of there total revenue on foreign markets. A positive foreign trade balance was achieved in the amount of 292 million EUR and recorded an increase of 60.7 %. According to data provided by FINA, the most significant export markets for goods exchange in 2021 were Slovenia (18.67 %), Germany (15.73 %) and Italy (13.21 %).

According to data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics on the amount of the average net wages per employee in legal entities for the first quarter of 2022. at the county level, Krapina-Zagorje County takes the fifth place with an average net wage of 952 EUR.

The support infrastructure intended for entrepreneurs has been strengthened in the last period, support for the entrepreneurs is also provided by the Entrepreneurship Center of Krapina-Zagorje County, whose activities are related to the operational implementation of measures for the development and encouragement of entrepreneurship, and which represents the center of professional and educational assistance to entrepreneurs. In March 2017., the Bračak Energy Center was officially opened, the first such center in the Republic of Croatia. The Regional Energy Agency of Northwest Croatia (REGEA) operates as part of the Bračak Energy Center. Which is a key stakeholder at the regional level that provides support in the use of financial mechanisms for the implementation of energy projects, and directly contributes to the sustainable economic development. According to the data of the Unified Register of Entrepreneurial infrastructure, there are a total of 17 entrepreneurial zones in the County. The largest economic zone is located in the City of Zabok with an area 170 ha, with a total of 107 users, of which 90 are actively operating in the zone and have 1,809 employees.

Tourism is of great importance to the Krapina-Zagorje County economy, the development of which is based on the valorization of the most important natural resource – thermal springs, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and attractive natural grounds. The slogan “Zagorje – a fairy tale in the palm of your hand”, which makes it a destination for a relaxing holiday tailored to the visitors. It has significantly contributed to increasing the recognition of the destination and the positive perception of the public. Thermal springs are primarily valorized in the form of health tourism, spa and wellness tourism and for sports and recreation, i.e., bathing tourism. The Krapina-Zagorje County tourism development master plan also recognizes family vacation, business tourism and (MICE) events, sports and adventure tourism as key products, as well as three secondary products – cultural tourism, religious tourism and agrotourism. According to the tourism development index, the most developed LGUs in the County are the Tuhelj Municipality (28.59), Stubičke Toplice Municipality (23.54), Krapinske Toplice Municipality (22.63) and City of Donja Stubica (20.90). Agriculture is a traditional activity in the Krapina-Zagorje County that is deeply rooted in the identity of the area.

The Krapina-Zagorje County, through a number of different incentive measures, strives to support Zagorje farmers, raise the quality level of agricultural food and forest products, and ensure competitiveness on the market. At the end of 2021, according to the data of the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, a total of 9,039 agricultural holdings were registered in the County, of which the most numerous were OPGs (family agricultural business) and SOPGs (self-sufficient family agricultural business). The perspective of the further development of agriculture is recognized in the traditional sectors of fruit growing and viticulture, and also in the sectors of poultry and beekeeping in which the Krapina-Zagorje County can achieve significant market potential with products that carry a protected label of origin. So far we can see the results of encouraging the production and promotion of autochthonous agricultural and food products which are protected at the European level, such as “Zagorski puran” (Zagorje turkey), “Zagorski mlinci” (Zagorje flatbread), “Zagorski štrukli/štruklji” (Zagorje pastry) and local acacia honey. Krapina-Zagorje County has significant potential in the form of favorable natural conditions with a relatively mild climate, the potential of livestock cultivation and the opportunities offered by ecological farming. A very important segment of the County’s future development will be the digital transformation, which refers to the process of introducing digital technologies in all areas of managing the socio-economic development of the Krapina-Zagorje County.

[Izvor: Zagorje development agency, July 2022]

 

Main Indicators

GDP EUR	1.155.805.000
Population	120.702
Men	58.777
Women	61.925
Age 0-14	16.595
Age 15+	104.107
GDP Per Capita EUR	9.469,00
Area Size km²	1.229

Gross Value Added by ActivitiesEUR

Infrastructure

Motorways km	38
Broadband Connections number and density	19.877 / 51%
Number of issued building permits	372

Investments

	Amount
Foreign Direct Investments million EUR	367

Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR

Activity	Amount
Manufacture of other non - metallic mineral products	123,20
Manufacture of finished metal products, except machinery and equipment	39,90
Manufacture of paper and paper products	32,00
Wholesale trade, except trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles	28,20
Accommodation	19,20
Other	124,40

Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR

Country	Amount
Switzerland	156,50
Austria	84,20
Belgium	34,80
Hungary	19,60
Italy	19,40
Other	52,60

Gross Investment in new Fixed Assets, by Location of Investment Constructions and Types of Assets

Asset type	Amount (EUR, 000)
Buildings, spaces and structures	86.188
Machinery and equipment with fittings	58.980
Transport equipment	10.414
Cultivated biological resources	591
Intellectual property products	2.546
Total	163.526

Biggest Investors

Company	Activity	Website
Vetropack Straža d.d.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.vetropack.hr
OMCO CROATIA d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.omcomould.com
ZAGORSKI VODOVOD d.o.o.	WATER SUPPLY; WASTEWATER REMOVAL, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION	http://www.zagorski-vodovod.hr
M.I. HRŠAK d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.mi-hrsak.hr
TERME TUHELJ d.o.o.	ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE	http://www.terme-tuhelj.hr
MDK GRAĐEVINAR d.o.o.	CONSTRUCTION	http://www.mdk.hr
GOTRA LOGISTIKA d.o.o.	TRANSPORT AND STORAGE	http://www.gotra-logistika.com
SATO d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.sato.hr
GOLUBOVEČKI KAMENOLOMI d.o.o.	MINING AND EXTRACTION
PROSTORIA d.o.o.	MANUFACTURING	http://www.prostoria.eu

Maximum Investment Incentives' Intensity according to the Investment Promotion Act

Large enterprises	Medium enterprises	Small and micro-enterprises
50%	60%	70%

International Trade

Export by Activity000 EUR

Import by Activity000 EUR

Export by Country000 EUR

Import by Country000 EUR

Education

Eduction level	Number of pupils
Kindergartens and Other Legal Entities Implementing Preschool Education Programmes	4.075
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year	8.921
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year	4.326
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence	2.844

Number of High School Studends Who Have Completed Their Education

Number of Students and Institutions by Educational Sectors

Educational Sector	Number of Institutions	Number of Students
Economics, trade and business administration	4	547
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy	4	538
Health and social work	2	538
Electrical engineering and computing	3	508
Tourism and catering	4	407
Graphic technology and audio-visual design	1	262
Construction and geodesy	1	223
Personal, security and other services	3	138
Transport and logisitics	2	130
Agriculture, food and veterinary	2	80
Forestry and wood processing	1	30
Textiles and leather	1	1

Students Who Graduated From University Study or Completed Professional Studys

Institutions of Higher Education and Graduated Students

Name	Students who graduated from or completed university or professional study
Polytechnic Hrvatsko Zagorje in Krapina	20

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	88	129	1.260
Mining and quarrying	9	169	1.480
Manufacturing	647	10.609	1.465
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	28	350	1.779
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	27	766	1.376
Construction	790	2.267	1.274
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	746	3.591	1.294
Transportation and storage	194	1.264	1.414
Accommodation and food service activities	236	866	1.159
Information and communication	154	195	2.205
Financial and insurance activities	18	340	1.940
Real estate activities	75	52	1.868
Professional, scientific and technical activities	358	632	1.639
Administrative and support service activities	102	310	1.191
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security	74	1.519	1.812
Education	111	3.248	1.561
Human health and social work activities	130	3.541	1.636
Arts, entertainment and recreation	512	237	1.365
Other service activities	1.176	189	1.251

Unemployed

	Rate
Unemployment Rate	4,70%

Unemployed by Activity

Activity	Number
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	23
Mining and quarrying	3
Manufacturing	543
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	2
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	24
Construction	188
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	189
Transportation and storage	43
Accommodation and food service activities	126
Information and communication	20
Financial and insurance activities	33
Real estate activities	12
Professional, scientific and technical activities	42
Administrative and support service activities	54
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security	89
Education	81
Human health and social work activities	142
Arts, entertainment and recreation	13
Other service activities	75
Not classified	276
Total	1.978

Registered unemployed by occupation

Support Institutions Contacts

Name	Contact	Website
Zagorje Development Agency	secretary@zara.hr	https://www.zara.hr/
Krapina Zagorje County Entrepreneurial Centre	info@poduzetnickicentar-kzz.hr	https://poduzetnickicentar-kzz.hr/