In Croatia in July 1,77 million employed

In Croatia, nearly 1.77 million people were employed in July 2026, according to data released Friday by the State Statistical Office (DZS). This represents a 0.6 percent increase compared to June 2026 but marks a 1.8 percent decline from July 2025. The total number of employees stood at 1,776,371 in July, up by 10,417 individuals from the previous month. However, on an annual basis, employment has decreased by 1.8 percent. Over the first seven months of the year, the total number of employed persons was 1.5 percent lower than during the same period last year. The majority of the workforce, 1.508 million people, were employed in legal entities, which saw a rise of 6,684 workers, or 0.5 percent, compared to the prior month. In contrast, this figure was down by 2.2 percent compared to July 2025. Meanwhile, the number of people working in trade and free professions reached 240,998 by the end of July, an increase of 3,605 individuals, or 1.5 percent, from the previous month. On an annual basis, this group grew by 1.2 percent. The number of insured agricultural workers dropped slightly by 52 people, or 0.3 percent, on a monthly basis, while the annual decrease amounted to 4.7 percent. By sector, among legal entities, the top three activities remained unchanged in July 2026. Trade led with 223,800 employees, representing a 0.6 percent increase from June 2026 but a 0.6 percent drop compared to July 2025. Manufacturing came second, with 221,600 workers, a 0.3 percent decrease from June and a 5.1 percent fall from the same period last year. Third place went to accommodation, food service, and preparation, employing 115,200 people, an increase of 7.6 percent compared to June 2026 but a 1.6 percent decline from July 2025. According to figures obtained from the Croatian Employment Agency (HZZ), there were 62,064 registered unemployed individuals at the end of July, an increase of 2,641 people, or 4.4 percent, compared to the previous month. However, this still represented a reduction of 15.2 percent compared to May 2025. The registered unemployment rate in July 2026 was 3.4 percent, up from 3.3 percent in June 2026, as per DZS data. The data highlights a mixed picture of the labor market in Croatia. While some sectors have shown modest growth, particularly in trade and self-employment, others such as manufacturing continue to face challenges. The overall trend indicates a slight recovery in employment numbers on a monthly basis, yet the comparison with the previous year reveals a continued struggle in maintaining the same level of employment. The statistics reflect broader economic conditions, with certain industries experiencing contraction while others show resilience. These trends underscore the complex dynamics within the Croatian economy, influenced by both internal factors and external pressures. The situation in the agricultural sector, marked by a decline in insured workers, adds another layer to the analysis of labor market performance. As the year progresses, further data will provide more insight into whether these recent changes represent a temporary fluctuation or part of a longer-term pattern. The upcoming months will be crucial in determining the trajectory of employment levels and their impact on the overall economic landscape.