Šibenik-Knin County is located between Zadar and Split-Dalmatia Counties with a total area of 5,670 km2, of which 52.62% is land and 47.37% is sea. The coastal and island area is characterized by exceptional indentation with 259 islands, islets, rocks and reefs, of which 7 are inhabited and 17 are occasionally inhabited. Šibenik-Knin County includes 20 local government units, of which 5 cities (Šibenik, Knin, Drniš, Vodice, and Skradin) and 15 municipalities (Pirovac, Primošten, Rogoznica, Tisno, Tribunj, Bilice, Murter, Promina, Ružić, Unešić, Biskupija, Civljane, Ervenik, Kijevo and Kistanje) with a total of 96,381 inhabitants (2021.). The city of Šibenik is the largest city and represents the economic, cultural, and administrative center of the county.
In the area of Šibenik-Knin County there are 13 protected areas, of which two are national parks (Krka and Kornati), three nature parks (Velebit, Vrana Lake and Dinara), six significant landscapes (Krka River – upper and lower course, Žutsko-Sitska island group, Vodeni tok and Čikola canyon, Gvozdenovo–Kamenar and Kanal–Luka) and two natural monuments (Stara straža and Vrela Cetina). Also, in the county there are 61 areas of the NATURA 2000 ecological network. Šibenik-Knin County is rich in tangible and intangible remains of a long history of settlement with 335 protected cultural assets, of which are eight (6 intangible and 2 tangible cultural assets) on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A valuable cultural and tourist resource of the city of Šibenik is the fortification system of 4 fortresses: Barone, St. Michael, St. Nicholas, and St. John, and significant county fortifications are the Knin Fortress and the Gradina Fortress in Drniš.
Šibenik-Knin County has a favorable traffic and geographical position based on a defined existing maritime, road, and railway network. It is connected by the Adriatic Highway to the coast, the main road to Knin and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the highway to the interior of Croatia—an important road and railway line leading to Zagreb and Split. The port of Šibenik is a port open to public traffic of international importance. Also, its position between the two international airports of Split and Zadar allows for good connections with the rest of Croatia and Europe, which is certainly a favourable factor for the development of tourism and the economy.
The development of the economy of Šibenik-Knin County is focused on trade, tourism, and construction activities, as well as on the processing industry as the most significant economic branch from which the metal production activity makes a significant contribution to the economy. In addition to the leading aluminum industry in the county, there is a shipbuilding and construction materials industry, and larger capacities have been built for the finalization of products from mineral raw materials. The opening of economic zones in all cities in the county, and especially the economic zone “PODI”, which has been declared an economic zone of national strategic importance, has enabled faster economic development. Due to its natural values and historical heritage, the area of Šibenik-Knin County has exceptional tourist potential, which is why tourism is the main economic activity. Although tourism is still focused on the coastal zone, investments in tourist capacities in the hinterland will certainly enable the development of new forms of rural tourism. Agriculture and fisheries are of exceptional importance for the economy, given the long tradition of growing Mediterranean crops in plant breeding, livestock breeding, fisheries, and mariculture, as well as the recognition of certain agricultural products (prosciutto, cheese, wine, olive oil, mussels, lamb, etc.).
Thanks to its good geostrategic position and significant investments in economic and transport infrastructure, Šibenik-Knin County is an attractive location for investments by domestic and foreign investors.
[Source: Public institution Development Agency of Šibenik-Knin County, February 2025]
Main Indicators
|
GDP
EUR
|
1.502.439.405 |
|
Population
|
95.622 |
|
Men |
47.332 |
|
Women |
48.290 |
|
Age 0-14 |
12.129 |
|
Age 15+ |
83.493 |
|
GDP Per Capita
EUR
|
15.734,25 |
|
Area Size
km²
|
2.984 |
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
|
43 |
|
Broadband Connections
number and density
|
24.491 / 64% |
|
Number of issued building permits
|
264 |
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
|
804 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2025
Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR
| Activity |
Amount |
|
Real estate ownership investments
|
583,26 |
|
Manufacture of rubber and plastic products
|
72,45 |
|
Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities
|
55,73 |
|
Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products
|
42,98 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
34,52 |
|
Other
|
14,62 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2025
Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR
| Country |
Amount |
|
Germany
|
168,90 |
|
Czechia
|
97,11 |
|
Austria
|
85,62 |
|
Slovenia
|
78,35 |
|
Hungary
|
63,66 |
|
Other
|
309,92 |
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 |
126.245 |
| Machinery and equipment with fittings |
60.178 |
| Transport equipment |
26.692 |
| Cultivated biological resources |
4.685 |
| Intellectual property products |
2.282 |
|
Total
|
224.810
|
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
|
3.627 |
|
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
6.751 |
|
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
3.325 |
|
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence
|
2.586 |
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
|
5 |
443 |
|
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy
|
3 |
417 |
|
Health and social work
|
1 |
361 |
|
Electrical engineering and computing
|
4 |
360 |
|
Tourism and catering
|
4 |
353 |
|
Transport and logistics
|
1 |
326 |
|
Personal, security and other services
|
2 |
164 |
|
Agriculture, food and veterinary
|
3 |
147 |
|
Construction and geodesy
|
1 |
86 |
|
Forestry, wood processing and wood processing
|
1 |
32 |
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 Marko Marulić in Knin
|
62 |
|
Polytechnic in Šibenik
|
230 |
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
|
105 |
168 |
1.446 |
|
Mining and quarrying
|
8 |
36 |
1.915 |
|
Manufacturing
|
314 |
3.353 |
1.564 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
33 |
324 |
2.090 |
|
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
|
36 |
1.055 |
1.411 |
|
Construction
|
525 |
2.217 |
1.337 |
|
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
488 |
3.474 |
1.360 |
|
Transportation and storage
|
143 |
1.114 |
1.489 |
|
Accommodation and food service activities
|
495 |
2.233 |
1.554 |
|
Information and communication
|
92 |
342 |
1.951 |
|
Financial and insurance activities
|
6 |
423 |
1.858 |
|
Real estate activities
|
269 |
158 |
1.418 |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities
|
350 |
715 |
1.707 |
|
Administrative and support service activities
|
378 |
569 |
1.469 |
|
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
|
146 |
2.854 |
2.147 |
|
Education
|
87 |
2.796 |
1.913 |
|
Human health and social work activities
|
120 |
2.574 |
2.409 |
|
Arts, entertainment and recreation
|
709 |
1.260 |
1.704 |
|
Other service activities
|
1.241 |
521 |
1.254 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed
| |
Rate |
|
Unemployment Rate
|
11,20% |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed by Activity
| Activity |
Number |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
86 |
| Mining and quarrying |
7 |
| Manufacturing |
253 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
2 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities |
55 |
| Construction |
233 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
459 |
| Transportation and storage |
93 |
| Accommodation and food service activities |
636 |
| Information and communication |
36 |
| Financial and insurance activities |
19 |
| Real estate activities |
19 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities |
91 |
| Administrative and support service activities |
160 |
| Public administration and defence, compulsory social security |
243 |
| Education |
99 |
| Human health and social work activities |
92 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation |
60 |
| Other service activities |
254 |
| Not classified |
371 |
| Total |
3.268 |
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
Registered unemployed by occupation
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
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