Croatia reports annual decline in unemployment despite monthly increase

At the end of October this year, 66,425 unemployed people were registered with the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ), representing a decrease of 11,400 people, or 14.6%, compared with October 2025, according to HZZ data.

Compared with September, the number of unemployed people increased by 6.1%, or 3,830, CE Report quotes HINA.

According to the HZZ's daily figures, 67,308 people are currently registered as unemployed, while 13,099 job vacancies have been advertised.

A total of 16,792 new people registered as unemployed in October, 7.1% fewer than in October last year. Most of them had previously been employed, accounting for 12,476 people, or 74.3% of the total. A further 1,746 people came from regular education (10.4%), while 2,570 people (15.3%) entered the unemployment register from inactivity.

HZZ data show that 12,962 people left the unemployment register, 12.5% fewer than in October 2025. Of these, 7,554 found employment: 7,029 people, or 93.1%, through formal employment contracts, while 525 people, or 6.9%, did so through other business activities.

Manufacturing Industry Leads in Employment

Manufacturing was the sector with the highest number of new hires, employing 1,128 people, or 16% of the total, in October. Wholesale and retail trade followed with 983 people (14%), while education accounted for 903 people (12.8%).

In October, 5,408 people were removed from the unemployment register for other reasons, such as leaving the labour force (retirement or enrolment in regular education), failure to comply with legal requirements (not actively seeking employment or being unavailable for work), voluntary deregistration and other reasons.

By county, Split-Dalmatia County led in employment, with 986 people, or 14% of all those hired through formal employment contracts. The City of Zagreb followed with 984 people (14%), while Osijek-Baranja County recorded 736 people (10.5%).

Split-Dalmatia County also had the highest number of registered unemployed people, with 10,657, accounting for 16% of the national total. It was followed by the City of Zagreb with 9,013 (13.6%) and Osijek-Baranja County with 7,757 (11.7%).

In October this year, 20,075 people, or 30.2% of all registered unemployed people, received unemployment benefits. The number of benefit recipients fell by 1.8%, or 374 people, compared with the same month last year.

A total of 13,886 job vacancies were advertised through the HZZ's services in October, representing demand for 21,519 workers. The number of workers sought decreased by 6.1% compared with the same month last year, according to HZZ data.

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