Croatia Jobless Rate Falls to Fresh Record Low

Croatia’s registered unemployment rate edged up to 3.4% in July 2026 from the record low of 3.3% in the previous month. The number of unemployed persons increased 4.4% month-on-month to 62.1 thousand, while total employment rose 0.6% to 1.766 million. The labor force also expanded 0.7% to 1.828 million. Paid employment in legal entities increased 0.5% to 1.508 million, and employment in crafts, trades, and freelance activities climbed 1.5% to 241.0 thousand. Meanwhile, the number of employed private farmers slipped 0.3% to 17.3 thousand. Compared with July 2025, the labor market remained weaker overall, with the labor force down 2.3%, total employment declining 1.8%, paid employment in legal entities falling 2.2%, and registered unemployment dropping 15.2%, indicating that despite the slight monthly increase in unemployment, joblessness remained well below year-earlier levels amid a smaller labor force.

Croatia’s registered unemployment rate fell to 3.3% in June 2026 from 3.4% in the previous month, hitting its lowest level since records began in December 1996. The number of unemployed persons fell 3.1% to 59.4 thousand, while total employment increased 0.9% to 1.756 million. The labor force also edged up 0.8% to 1.815 million. Paid employment in legal entities ticked up 0.5% to 1.501 million, while employment in crafts, trades, and freelance activities rose 4.0% to 237 thousand. Conversely, the number of employed private farmers dropped 0.7% to 17.4 thousand. Compared with June 2025, total employment fell 1.5%, paid employment in legal entities dropped 2%, and the labor force contracted 2.1%, suggesting that while unemployment has reached a record low, the broader labor market continues to face some underlying weakness.

Croatia’s registered unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in May 2026 from 3.8% in April, reaching the lowest level since records began in December 1996. The number of unemployed persons declined 9.2% from the previous month to 61.3 thousand, while total employment rose 2.2% to 1.740 million. The labor force also increased 1.8% to 1.801 million. Paid employment in legal entities rose 1.9% to 1.494 million, while employment in crafts, trades, and freelance activities increased 4.1%. In contrast, the number of employed private farmers edged down 0.4%. Compared with May 2025, however, total employment fell 1.1%, paid employment in legal entities declined 1.5%, and the labor force contracted 1.7%, indicating that labor market conditions remained weaker than a year earlier.