Croatia has emerged as the European Union country where young people stay with their parents the longest, according to data released by the Croatian State Institute for Statistics (DZS) on International Youth Day. The average age at which young Croatians leave their parental home is 31.5 years, with 89.1 percent of those aged 16 to 29 still living with their families. This figure represents the highest proportion within the EU. Greece and Slovakia follow closely, with young people leaving their parental homes at an average age of 30.9 years, while Spain and Italy have averages of 30.2 years. According to the 2021 census, individuals aged 15 to 29 accounted for 15.8 percent of Croatia's total population, down from 20.3 percent two decades earlier. The DZS highlights that young people face unique challenges in transitioning to independent lives, with finding employment being one of the first steps toward self-sufficiency. Data shows that youth employment rates have increased both in the EU and in Croatia over the past decade. In the EU, the rate rose from 44.7 percent in 2015 to 49 percent in 2025, while in Croatia, it climbed from 35.5 percent to 43.6 percent during the same period. Concurrently, youth unemployment rates have declined significantly, dropping from 17.6 percent in the EU and 29.8 percent in Croatia in 2015 to 11.7 percent and 12.7 percent respectively in 2025. Migration among young people has long been a topic associated with youth in Croatia. According to DZS data, 30 percent of all migrants who left Croatia in 2025 were aged 15 to 29, compared to 27.4 percent a decade earlier. The institute emphasizes that the future of any nation largely depends on the knowledge and education of its youth. In Croatia, only 2.7 percent of those aged 20 to 29 have completed primary education as their highest level, far below the EU average of 13.6 percent. However, a high percentage of young people have completed secondary education, 70 percent in Croatia versus 54.1 percent in the EU, and 27.3 percent have higher education, slightly below the EU average of 32.3 percent. The DZS published these statistics on August 12, marking International Youth Day, established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 1999 and first celebrated in 2000. The day aims to highlight the importance of creating policies and programs that support young people and address their specific needs. This year’s theme, "Different contexts, common aspirations," underscores that despite varying life circumstances, young people share similar goals such as access to quality education, better job opportunities, and greater social inclusion. In response to these findings, the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life and prospects for young people in Croatia. Housing was identified as a key issue affecting youth independence, prompting efforts to increase availability of housing opportunities across the country, particularly in rural areas. Education remains a cornerstone of personal and professional development for young people, supported through scholarship programs and investments in the education system to create better conditions for children, youth, and young families nationwide. Over the past year, 142 projects targeting young people have been agreed upon, marking the first time such initiatives are planned for a two-year period, ensuring continuity in activities involving youth organizations. Two national mechanisms, the Council of Young People of the Republic of Croatia and the Council for Youth Policy Development of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, have been established to more effectively represent youth priorities and contribute to shaping better youth policies. A new council, the Council of Croatian Youth Abroad, has also been formed to connect young Croats living abroad with their homeland. Young people are actively involved in policy-making at all levels, from local and regional councils to national and international platforms. Their priorities are represented in the Advisory Committee for Youth under the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and through Croatian youth delegates at the United Nations. The drafting of a new National Youth Program will include input from young people across the country to ensure their proposals become priorities and the document reflects their needs. Minister of Science, Education, and Youth Radovan Fuchs emphasized that young people are the driving force behind change and innovation, contributing to building a stronger, more inclusive Croatia. He called on young people to continue learning, creating, participating, and becoming voices of change in their communities, celebrating International Youth Day initiated by the United Nations. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Youth Wing also marked International Youth Day, highlighting the historically low youth unemployment rate in Croatia and urging continued measures to ease youth independence. They stressed the importance of increasing the supply of affordable housing and financially relieving young people entering the labor market. The HDZ Youth Wing noted ongoing investments in educational standards, including free meals for elementary school students, state-funded textbooks and transportation, and annual allocation of around 13,500 socio-economic and STEM scholarships. Over 150,000 scholarships have been awarded to students since 2016, along with improvements in student dormitories, university infrastructure, and work conditions for students. Financial relief measures include tax refunds for young workers and increased funding for childcare facilities and primary schools. The HDZ Youth Wing reiterated the need for long-term rental solutions and financial assistance for young people purchasing their first property.
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