Croatian officials reveal sectors with highest wage growth - EXCLUSIVE
Croatia recorded a strong increase in the public sector wages in the spring of 2024 as a result of inflationary pressures and the need to make the public sector more attractive for employment and prevent the outflow of deficit occupations abroad, the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy of Croatia said in an exclusive interview with CE Report.
The Ministry pointed out that the growth of public sector wages in 2024, alongside inflation, stimulated wage growth in the private sector in 2025, while wage growth in the public sector slowed down.
"The impact of productivity growth on wage increases in 2025 cannot be excluded either. According to Eurostat data for the second quarter of 2025, compared with the same period of the previous year, Croatia recorded an increase in real productivity per employee of 3.3%, while the EU-27 average was 1.2%," the statement reads.
The Ministry added that the Croatian Bureau of Statistics monitors wage developments by activity areas, not by the criterion of whether they belong to the private or public sector.
"In this regard, for August 2025, data are available on average monthly net and gross wages of employees in legal entities by activity. For August, the overall average monthly net wage amounted to EUR 1,446," Croatian officials explained.
Nevertheless, there are certain sectors that can be considered almost exclusively part of the public sector — public administration and defence, compulsory social security, health care, and social work activities, the ministry continued.
"In the area of public administration and defence and compulsory social security, the average monthly net wage amounted to EUR 1,816 (25.6% higher than the overall average monthly net wage); in education, the average monthly net wage was EUR 1,576 (9% higher); and in health care and social work activities, the average monthly net wage was EUR 1,936 (33.9% higher)," the statement reads.
Looking at the annual change compared with the same month of the previous year, the highest wage growth of 13.8% was recorded in the sector of water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities. In addition, wage growth exceeding 11% was recorded in the following sectors:
- Arts, entertainment and recreation – 12.2%
- Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply – 12.0%
- Other service activities – 11.9%
- Financial and insurance activities – 11.4%
- Construction – 11.1%
Photo: Nick Savchenko/Wikipedia
This interview was prepared by Julian Müller
