Croatia’s industrial sector is grappling with unexpected challenges – while the number of jobs decreases, productivity continues to rise.
According to the latest data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, industrial employment fell by 2% in December 2024, with the sharpest decline in manufacturing, particularly in clothing and footwear production.
Meanwhile, sectors such as computer and electronic device manufacturing saw employment growth.
Despite the drop in jobs, labour productivity grew modestly by 0.3%.
This trend suggests that, although fewer jobs are being created, the workforce is becoming more efficient.
The industry continues to adapt to global challenges and market demands, and despite the fall in employment numbers, Croatia remains among the EU countries with the lowest unemployment rate, which stood at 4.5% in December 2024.
