Virovitica-Podravina County is located between the Drava River in the north and the Papuk, Krndija and Bilogora mountain ranges in the south. In the north, along the Drava River, it has a long border with Hungary, in the southwest along the peaks of Bilogora it borders Bjelovar-Bilogora County, in the southeast along the peaks of Papuk and Krndija it borders Požega-Slavonia County, and in the lowland areas of Podravina in the west with Koprivnica-Križevci County and in the east with Osijek-Baranja County. Virovitica-Podravina County covers an area of 2.024 km², which is 3.57% of the total territory of the Republic of Croatia and ranks 14th in size among Croatian counties. According to the 2021. census, the population is 70.660 (population density is 34 inhabitants/km²), placing the county in 19th place in terms of population. The area of Virovitica-Podravina County is administratively divided into 3 cities (Virovitica, Orahovica, Slatina) and 13 municipalities (Crnac, Čačinci, Čađavica, Gradina, Lukač, Mikleuš, Nova Bukovica, Pitomača, Sopje, Suhopolje, Špišić Bukovica, Voćin and Zdenci, which contain 188 settlements).
Transport connection and strategic position
In the field of transport, the development potential is represented by the construction of the Bjelovar – Terezino Polje border crossing expressway, which is currently under construction, the modernization of the railway infrastructure, in which significant investments are being made that will enable the connection of Virovitica to the main corridor railway in Koprivnica with final goal of better connectivity with Zagreb, the planning and implementation of the construction of ring roads around the cities, further development of road infrastructure and the development of the Drava river waterway system. There is also potential for new cycling routes and the development of existing ones, as well as for improving pedestrian infrastructure. A significant development potential is the completed investment in broadband infrastructure and the operation of high-speed internet service providers.
Economy and Entrepreneurship
The most important economic branches in Virovitica-Podravina County are manufacturing (19.5% of total GDP), wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, food preparation and serving (11.8%), agriculture, forestry and fishing (19.2%), and real estate (10.7%).
Entrepreneurial infrastructure and business support institutions
In Virovitica-Podravina County 45 entrepreneurial zones for production, trade, storage and service purposes have been established. Several supporting institutions operate in the county: Business Incubator Network of Virovitica-Podravina County, 3 local development agencies and 1 regional coordinator and sectoral-oriented supporting institutions Pannonian Wood Competence Center, Technological and Innovation Center and the Center for Dairy Research and Development in Virovitica.
Sustainability and green transition
In the field of energy, geothermal sources represent a potential for future development, provided that ongoing geothermal potential research, as well as future research, confirms the economic justification for their exploitation. Within the implemented project “Research of geothermal potential in the Virovitica-Podravina County” geothermal potential assessment studies were prepared for the areas of Virovitica, Slatina, Orahovica and Nova Bukovica, as well as a hydro-geothermal potential assessment study for the Virovitica-Podravina County. The use of geothermal water for agricultural purposes (heating greenhouses, glasshouses, fish ponds) also represents a development potential. Also, the long tradition of mineral raw material exploitation and the existence of several prominent entrepreneurs in this segment of the economy (especially in the case of the production of technical stone) represents an important potential for future economic development, especially if production is further developed in the direction of higher value-added products.
Agriculture and continental tourism
The county has significant potential in agriculture, primarily due to its rich natural resources. However, significant development potential is represented by the accelerated development of the irrigation systems, in which the county is ahead of the Republic of Croatia with approximately 3,000 ha of irrigated areas with a plan of 10,000 ha of irrigated areas. Knowledge and experience in agricultural production, and the increasing orientation of farmers towards organic agriculture, vegetable growing and the production of medicinal plants also represent a big potential for further investments. Freshwater fisheries also has significant potential for further development.
The potential for tourism development is represented by a rich cultural heritage and natural attractions, particularly for special forms of tourism such as active, rural, sports, gastronomy tourism, and increased investment and progress made in improving of the tourist offer. The potential for tourism development is also recorded by successful examples of eco-ethno villages, the development of rural tourism through small farms offering excursions, weekend trips and overnight stays in nature, and the development of tourism on freshwater ponds. Since 2019., several visitor centers were established in the county: “Dravska priča” in Noskovci, “Geo info Center Voćin” within the Papuk Nature Park, “EPIcenter Sequoia Slatina”, and the “Križnica Visitor Center” in Pitomača municipality. Major investments have also been made in the reconstruction of cultural heritage in the county, including the reconstruction of the Janković manor in Kapela Dvor, the reconstruction of the Janković castle in Suhopolje, and the reconstruction of the Pejačević family castle in the center of Virovitica.
The county has significant potential for the protection, preservation, and improvement of the environment. A high level of nature protection has been achieved, activities are being carried out to preserve natural heritage, improve the quality of cultivated landscapes and preserve the wealth of wildlife, which contributes to mitigating climate change. Part of the Drava River flow in the county is also part of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, while part of the county is also the Papuk Nature Park – UNESCO World Geopark.
Available workforce and labor market
According to Croatian Pension Insurance Institute data, in 2023., 21.691 people were employed, which represents an increase in employment of 12.4% compared to 2016. The number of permanent employment contracts is 26% higher in 2023. than in 2016. and the total income of the population is higher for 49,4%. The average net salary in 2024. was 1.189,00 euros.
Observed by activity, the largest share of employees in legal entities in Virovitica-Podravina County is in the processing industry with 25.3%.
Exports and foreign trade
Virovitica-Podravina County, in the observed period from 2013. to 2023., has continuously achieved a surplus in foreign trade, and in 2022. this surplus was the largest in the observed 11 years period and amounted to 109,5 million euros. Unlike Croatia, Virovitica-Podravina County is marked by positive trends, i.e. a surplus in goods as a result of a higher value of goods exports than imports.
The export-import coverage index in Virovitica-Podravina County in 2023. was 144,8, while the export-import coverage of the Republic of Croatia was only 57,8. This is an exceptional indicator for Virovitica-Podravina County, which shows that businesses achieve 1,45 euros of export per 1 euro of import, while businesses in Croatia achieve 0,58 euros of export per 1 euro of import.
The largest foreign trade partners of Virovitica-Podravina County in 2023. were: Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Serbia, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 65% of total trade (of a total 69 countries).
Strategic sectors for investment and development
Looking at the number of investors and the amount of investments in Virovitica-Podravina County in 2023., according to FINA data, there were 77 investor entrepreneurs with an investment amount of 33 million euros. The average investment amount per investor was 0.4 million euros. In Virovitica-Podravina County, the largest amount of foreign direct investment in 2023. was 11.24 million euros.
[Source: Virovitica-Podravina County, April 2025 ]
Main Indicators
|
GDP
EUR
|
739.766.209 |
|
Population
|
67.554 |
|
Men |
32.868 |
|
Women |
34.686 |
|
Age 0-14 |
9.349 |
|
Age 15+ |
58.205 |
|
GDP Per Capita
EUR
|
10.968,09 |
|
Area Size
km²
|
2.024 |
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
|
0 |
|
Broadband Connections
number and density
|
14.926/ 57% |
|
Number of issued building permits
|
186 |
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
|
39 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2025
Foreign Direct Investment by Activitymil. EUR
| Activity |
Amount |
|
Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials
|
27,29 |
|
Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities
|
12,87 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
6,75 |
|
Manufacture of food products
|
3,33 |
|
Real estate activities
|
0,53 |
|
Other
|
-11,41 |
Source: Croatian National Bank, 1993 - 2025
Foreign Direct Investment by Countrymil. EUR
| Country |
Amount |
|
Germany
|
25,26 |
|
France
|
7,25 |
|
Serbia
|
7,24 |
|
Sweden
|
2,76 |
|
Switzerland
|
1,34 |
|
Other
|
-4,50 |
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 |
74.583 |
| Machinery and equipment with fittings |
31.577 |
| Transport equipment |
7.092 |
| Cultivated biological resources |
5.402 |
| Intellectual property products |
9.013 |
|
Total
|
132.888
|
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
|
2.198 |
|
Basic Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
5.258 |
|
Upper Secondary Schools, Beginning of School Year
|
2.564 |
|
Students Enrolled on Professional and University Study, According to Place of Permanent Residence
|
1.399 |
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 |
349 |
|
Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and metallurgy
|
4 |
293 |
|
Electrical engineering and computing
|
4 |
265 |
|
Tourism and catering
|
4 |
240 |
|
Health and social work
|
3 |
206 |
|
Forestry, wood processing and treatment
|
3 |
194 |
|
Personal, security and other services
|
2 |
176 |
|
Agriculture, food and veterinary
|
4 |
121 |
|
Textiles and leather
|
2 |
23 |
|
Graphic technology and audio-visual design
|
1 |
9 |
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 |
|
School of Professional Higher Education for Management in Tourism and Informatics, Virovitica
|
81 |
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
|
155 |
1.274 |
1.466 |
|
Mining and quarrying
|
3 |
109 |
1.870 |
|
Manufacturing
|
226 |
4.054 |
1.244 |
|
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|
34 |
224 |
1.748 |
|
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
|
16 |
307 |
1.317 |
|
Construction
|
193 |
885 |
1.301 |
|
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
|
280 |
1.967 |
1.239 |
|
Transportation and storage
|
71 |
689 |
1.303 |
|
Accommodation and food service activities
|
82 |
324 |
1.200 |
|
Information and communication
|
42 |
152 |
1.809 |
|
Financial and insurance activities
|
4 |
295 |
1.690 |
|
Real estate activities
|
16 |
31 |
1.423 |
|
Professional, scientific and technical activities
|
157 |
495 |
1.457 |
|
Administrative and support service activities
|
29 |
118 |
1.106 |
|
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
|
106 |
1.264 |
2.116 |
|
Education
|
57 |
1.979 |
1.961 |
|
Human health and social work activities
|
84 |
1.653 |
2.123 |
|
Arts, entertainment and recreation
|
384 |
186 |
1.486 |
|
Other service activities
|
752 |
152 |
1.163 |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed
| |
Rate |
|
Unemployment Rate
|
15,00% |
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, data for 2024
Unemployed by Activity
| Activity |
Number |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
373 |
| Mining and quarrying |
3 |
| Manufacturing |
556 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
5 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities |
26 |
| Construction |
241 |
| Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
245 |
| Transportation and storage |
49 |
| Accommodation and food service activities |
303 |
| Information and communication |
17 |
| Financial and insurance activities |
13 |
| Real estate activities |
6 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities |
74 |
| Administrative and support service activities |
147 |
| Public administration and defence, compulsory social security |
316 |
| Education |
92 |
| Human health and social work activities |
144 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation |
27 |
| Other service activities |
125 |
| Not classified |
551 |
| Total |
3.313 |
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
Registered unemployed by occupation
Source: Croatian Employment Service, data for 2024
Support Institutions Contacts
