62,064 unemployed in Croatia

According to data released by the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ), as of late July this year, there were 62,064 unemployed individuals registered in Croatia, representing a decrease of 15.2 percent or 11,119 fewer people compared to the same period last year. The figures, published on Monday, show a continued downward trend in unemployment numbers, with the total number of registered unemployed persons standing at 62,435 as of the latest daily records. A total of 13,408 open job positions have been advertised through the agency. During July, 12,949 new individuals were added to the list of unemployed, marking a 5.7 percent reduction compared to the previous year. Of these, 9,117 came from existing employment relationships, accounting for 70.4 percent of the total. Additionally, 1,979 individuals entered the system due to regular education, making up 15.3 percent, while 1,853 were previously inactive, contributing 14.3 percent. Conversely, 10,308 individuals left the unemployment registry, with 6,025 being placed into employment, 88.2 percent through formal work relationships and 11.8 percent via other business activities. The highest rate of employment was observed in sectors related to trade and processing industries. Specifically, 884 individuals were employed in large-scale retail and small-scale trading, representing 16.6 percent of all newly employed individuals. This was followed by the food processing industry, which accounted for 779 individuals or 14.7 percent, and accommodation and food services, which recorded 772 placements or 14.5 percent. In July alone, 4,283 individuals were removed from the unemployment registry for reasons such as retirement, enrollment in further education, non-compliance with legal obligations, or voluntary withdrawal. By region, the leading contributors to employment were the Split-Dalmatia County, with 761 individuals or 14.3 percent of the total, followed by the Osijek-Baranja County (619 or 11.6 percent) and the City of Zagreb (599 or 11.3 percent). Meanwhile, the number of registered unemployed individuals remained highest in Split-Dalmatia County, with 9,258 people or 14.9 percent of the national total. The city of Zagreb ranked second with 8,687 unemployed individuals or 14 percent, while Osijek-Baranja had 8,006 or 12.9 percent. The lowest number of unemployed individuals was recorded in the Lika-Senj County, with just 664 or 1.1 percent of the national total. In terms of financial support, 18,414 individuals or 29.7 percent of the total unemployed population used cash benefits in July. This figure represents an increase of 0.7 percent or 121 individuals compared to the same month in the previous year. Through its services, the Employment Agency advertised 9,897 job openings, resulting in the need for 18,311 workers. The demand for labor decreased by 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year, according to HZZ data.