Međimurje County is the smallest Croatian county by area, but the strength of its economy and the entrepreneurship and mentality of its population place it at the very top of the entrepreneurial counties in Croatia. The processing industry is the backbone of the county’s economy, and in recent years the service sector is also gaining importance; the ICT sector, the sector of e-mobility and continental tourism. The county stands out compared to the rest of Croatia with a distinct surplus in the foreign trade balance. In 2023., Međimurje County achieved the highest value of exports per capita (approximately 9.881 euros of exports per capita) compared to other counties, and is on the third place in Croatia in regards to total exports (1,04 billion euros. The most important export markets are Germany, Austria and Slovenia. SMEs make up 98% of the Međimurje economy.
In the metal industry in Međimurje, the experience, knowledge and skills have been acquired over generations and have shaped the metal industry into one of the most dynamic sectors in which 165 companies operate. Using modern technologies, they produce various components and final products, from small tools to parts of wind farms, exported mainly to EU countries.
The textile and footwear industry played an important role in the industrial development of Međimurje in the 20th century and still represent an important part of the economy. Numerous small local entrepreneurs have maintained their positions in the market due to innovation, knowledge and flexibility. Also, Međimurje is home to global textile and footwear companies that achieve the highest standards of productivity and product quality.
The food industry, with a tradition of over 100 years and strong agriculture, is successfully growing with completely modernized production and numerous quality certificates.
There are 51 business zones in Međimurje County, and seven more are currently being developed. All zones are in the immediate vicinity of major traffic routes and are fully or partially equipped with infrastructure, which accelerates access and set up for investors. In some zones, investors are given incentives in the form of a complete exemption or reduction of communal fees and contributions. The largest business zones are the Međimurje Business Park, the Nedelišće Business Zone, the North Industrial Zone in Prelog and the North Industrial Zone in Donji Kraljevac.
Foreign direct investments in Međimurje County continue, and they come mostly from Sweden, USA, Austria, Luxembourg and Germany.
The most significant foreign direct investments in Međimurje County:
– Haix footwear (Germany) / FOOTWEAR / 1,233 employees
– LPT Leggett & Platt (USA) / WIRES, WIRE CORE FOR MATTRESSES AND MACHINES / 322 employees
– Hilding Anders (Sweden) / MATTRESSES AND FURNITURE / 568 employees
– LTH Alucast (Slovenia) / PARTS FOR THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY / 272 employees
– Calzedonia (Italy) / PRODUCTION OF SOCKS / 384 employees
– CETITEC (Germany) / SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT / 28 employees
– FRAMOS Technologies (Germany) / VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING / 60 employees
In addition to foreign investments, there are examples of strong local investments in Međimurje that are present on the global market. Company Tehnix Ltd. from Donji Kraljevec is the leading eco industry in the world, and by applying internally developed technology, municipal waste becomes an economic resource. Čateks plc is one of the largest textile companies in the region, whose beginnings date back to 1874. Due to technological development and innovations, Čateks has positioned itself in the market as a producer of technical fabrics and materials for special purposes and higher added value, whose exports in 2023. make up 62% of sales revenue.
In recent years, investments in communal infrastructure have intensified in the county, resulting in almost 100 percent coverage in the distribution of electricity, water, gas, telephone, internet, drainage, etc.
The Međimurje County Knowledge Centre is an initiative that transformed a former neglected barracks into a living ecosystem made up of educational, supporting and scientific institutions that proactively support the business sector. Today, entrepreneurial support institutions operate within the Knowledge Centre (Public Institution for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA, Technological Innovation Centre Međimurje Ltd. and Međimurje Energy Agency Ltd.); Međimurje University of Applied Sciences (MEV) with a student dormitory and the Centre for Sustainable Development; MIN-Međimurje Investment, Real estate Ltd..; The Tourist Board of Međimurje County and the Development and Education Centre – Metal Centre Čakovec, which implements projects in the metal and creative industry as well as in medicine.
Throughout Europe, Međimurje County is recognized as a destination suitable for investment, which is confirmed by numerous awards. For the fifth time, Međimurje is among the Top 10 regions for investment in the European Union. The most recent one is the recognition of FDI Magazine (Financial Times) for the year 2025; in the category of SMALL EUROPEAN REGIONS OF THE FUTURE for Investment Attraction Strategy, Međimurje County won 6th place.
[Source: Public Institution for the Development of the Međimurje County REDEA, March 2025]
Main Indicators
|
GDP
EUR
|
1.813.699.847 |
|
Population
|
104.948 |
|
Men |
51.854 |
|
Women |
53.094 |
|
Age 0-14 |
16.615 |
|
Age 15+ |
88.333 |
|
GDP Per Capita
EUR
|
17.318,57 |
|
Area Size
km²
|
729 |
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
|
22 |
|
Broadband Connections
number and density
|
18.655 / 55% |
|
Number of issued building permits
|
408 |
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
|
215 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2025
Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR
| Activity |
Amount |
|
Manufacture of wearing apparel
|
78,55 |
|
Manufacture of food products
|
66,02 |
|
Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment
|
55,28 |
|
Manufacture of leather and related products
|
13,59 |
|
Manufacture of rubber and plastic products
|
10,72 |
|
Other
|
-9,34 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2025
Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR
| Country |
Amount |
|
Luxembourg
|
56,99 |
|
United States
|
51,15 |
|
Austria
|
30,88 |
|
Germany
|
27,69 |
|
Slovenia
|
26,85 |
|
Other
|
21,26 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2025
Gross Investment in new Fixed Assets, by Location of Investment Constructions and Types of Assets
| Asset type |
Amount (EUR, 000) |
| Buildings, spaces and structures |
105.722 |
| Machinery and equipment with fittings |
66.529 |
| Transport equipment |
14.533 |
| Cultivated biological resources |
824 |
| Intellectual property products |
2.643 |
|
Total
|
192.554
|
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 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
|
5.105 |
|
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
9.132 |
|
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
3.791 |
|
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence
|
2.288 |
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 |
|
Economics, trade and business administration
|
2 |
517 |
|
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy
|
2 |
470 |
|
Electrical engineering and computing
|
1 |
402 |
|
Tourism and catering
|
2 |
316 |
|
Construction and geodesy
|
1 |
314 |
|
Health and social work
|
1 |
257 |
|
Personal, security and other services
|
2 |
122 |
|
Transport and logisitics
|
1 |
111 |
|
Graphic technology and audio-visual design
|
1 |
97 |
|
Textiles and leather
|
1 |
96 |
|
Agriculture, food and veterinary
|
2 |
77 |
|
Forestry and wood processing
|
1 |
30 |
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 of Međimurje in Čakovec
|
154 |
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
|
82 |
238 |
1.402 |
|
Mining and quarrying
|
2 |
16 |
1.664 |
|
Manufacturing
|
743 |
15.499 |
1.555 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
55 |
274 |
2.255 |
|
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
|
65 |
481 |
1.518 |
|
Construction
|
787 |
3.986 |
1.341 |
|
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
705 |
3.333 |
1.381 |
|
Transportation and storage
|
152 |
1.004 |
1.407 |
|
Accommodation and food service activities
|
262 |
1.140 |
1.203 |
|
Information and communication
|
197 |
715 |
2.132 |
|
Financial and insurance activities
|
25 |
406 |
2.044 |
|
Real estate activities
|
101 |
77 |
1.412 |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities
|
426 |
1.273 |
1.643 |
|
Administrative and support service activities
|
129 |
605 |
1.178 |
|
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
|
47 |
1.286 |
2.200 |
|
Education
|
115 |
3.291 |
1.956 |
|
Human health and social work activities
|
107 |
2.200 |
2.266 |
|
Arts, entertainment and recreation
|
595 |
369 |
1.510 |
|
Other service activities
|
1.180 |
471 |
1.158 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed
| |
Rate |
|
Unemployment Rate
|
4,90% |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed by Activity
| Activity |
Number |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
40 |
| Mining and quarrying |
1 |
| Manufacturing |
397 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
3 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities |
17 |
| Construction |
189 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
134 |
| Transportation and storage |
40 |
| Accommodation and food service activities |
98 |
| Information and communication |
22 |
| Financial and insurance activities |
10 |
| Real estate activities |
3 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities |
43 |
| Administrative and support service activities |
45 |
| Public administration and defence, compulsory social security |
156 |
| Education |
89 |
| Human health and social work activities |
91 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation |
15 |
| Other service activities |
85 |
| Not classified |
585 |
| Total |
2.063 |
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
Registered unemployed by occupation
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
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