Trade and economic cooperation
Croatia
- GDP per capita (at purchasing power parity) – 26,9 thousand US dollars;
- exports of goods – 25.1 billion US dollars;
- imports of goods – 44.3 billion US dollars;
- inflation – 4.0 per cent;
- unemployment – 4.7 per cent;
- exports – machinery and equipment; products of the chemical and related industries; foodstuffs and petroleum products;
- imports – machinery and equipment, energy resources, consumer goods and foodstuffs.
Croatia’s economy in 2025-2026 is characterised by stable growth and low unemployment, but with persistent structural imbalances: a trade deficit and moderate inflationary pressures. In the short term, the priority objectives remain the development of export potential, economic diversification and inflation control.
Economic growth is driven by the services sector, tourism and industrial exports, whilst industrial production is seeing only limited growth. The trade balance remains in deficit, with imports significantly exceeding exports; the main trading partners are EU countries: Italy, Germany, Slovenia and Austria. Inflation is gradually falling following the spikes of previous years, but remains above the ECB’s target levels, mainly due to housing and service prices. The labour market remains strong, with unemployment at a historically low level.
The industrial sector accounts for more than 20 per cent of Croatia’s economy; the most developed industries are wood processing, textiles, steel, aluminium and food production.
The services sector accounts for around 60 per cent of the country’s GDP, with the tourism industry making up as much as 70 per cent of this sector.
