Published number of unemployed in Croatia

The number of insured individuals under the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) has increased, according to preliminary data released by the institution. As of the end of July 2026, there were 1,802,261 insured persons registered, representing a rise of 0.8 percent compared to the same period last year, an increase of 14,021 individuals. This growth reflects broader trends in employment levels within the country. The HZMO data serves as a key indicator of workforce movement, as the number of insured individuals directly correlates with the number of employees registered with employers. The largest share of insured individuals was recorded in trade, both wholesale and retail, with 246,999 registered members. This was followed by the manufacturing industry, which accounted for 243,513 insured individuals. Other major sectors included construction, with 155,453 insured individuals, and hospitality and food services, with 151,526. Comparing these figures to previous years, the number of insured individuals has continued to grow. In comparison to the end of July 2024, the figure rose by three percent, or 53,166 individuals. Against the end of July 2023, the increase was even more pronounced, reaching six point nine percent, a total of 115,632 additional insured individuals. These numbers suggest a steady upward trend in workforce participation over recent years. Meanwhile, data from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) indicates a decline in the number of unemployed individuals. At the end of July 2026, 62,064 people were registered as unemployed, marking a decrease of 15.2 percent, or 11,119 fewer individuals, compared to the same period in 2025. This reduction follows a four-point-four percent increase in unemployment from June to July 2026, adding 2,641 new entries to the system. During July, 12,949 new individuals were added to the unemployment registry, which represents a five-point-seven percent drop compared to the same month in 2025. Of these, 9,117 came from existing employment relationships, accounting for 70.4 percent of the total. Additionally, 1,979 individuals were added due to formal education, making up 15.3 percent, while 1,853 were added due to inactivity, contributing 14.3 percent. Conversely, 10,308 individuals left the unemployment registry during July, a two-point-six percent decrease from the previous year. Of these, 6,025 found employment, including 5,316 through established employment relationships and 709 through other business activities. A total of 4,283 individuals were removed from the registry for reasons such as retirement, enrollment in formal education, non-compliance with legal obligations, or voluntary withdrawal. In terms of sector-specific employment, the highest rate of job placements occurred in trade and manufacturing. According to HZZ records, 884 individuals were placed in trade-related positions, accounting for 16.6 percent of all job placements. Manufacturing followed closely with 779 placements, or 14.7 percent, while hospitality and food services saw 772 placements, or 14.5 percent. Regional variations in employment outcomes were also notable. The Split-Dalmatia County led in job placements, with 761 individuals employed through formal work relationships, representing 14.3 percent of the national total. The Osijek-Baranja County and the City of Zagreb followed, recording 619 and 599 placements respectively, or 11.6 percent and 11.3 percent of the total. Similarly, the number of unemployed individuals varied significantly by region. The Split-Dalmatia County had the highest count, registering 9,258 unemployed individuals, or 14.9 percent of the national total. The City of Zagreb and Osijek-Baranja County followed with 8,687 and 8,006 unemployed individuals, respectively. In contrast, the Lika-Senj County had the lowest number, with just 664 unemployed individuals, or 1.1 percent of the national total. Regarding financial support, 18,414 unemployed individuals used cash benefits in July 2026, representing 29.7 percent of the total unemployed population. This figure marked a slight increase of 0.7 percent, or 121 individuals, compared to the same month in 2025. Through the services of the Employment Office, 9,897 job vacancies were advertised, indicating a demand for 18,311 workers. This represented a five-point-four percent decrease in the number of sought-after workers compared to the same period in 2025.