OECD ECONOMIC SURVEY OF CROATIA
Maintaining reform momentum to sustain economic convergence
Zagreb
30 January 2026
oe.cd/Croatia
Economic convergence is set to continue despite growth moderation
Source: OECD Economic Outlook database.
Maintaining macroeconomic stability and sustainability
Tighter fiscal policy would be warranted
Note: Shaded area depicts projection.
Source:
Output
Fiscal sustainability requires spending restraint and broadening tax bases
Note: The “Current policies” scenario is based on the OECD Economic Outlook 118 database until 2027 and the OECD Long-Term Model thereafter. Increases in ageing-related costs are not offset and based on the EU Ageing Report 2024 and Croatia’s Ministry of Labour, Pension System and Social Policy. The “Fiscal consolidation” scenario assumes that a structural primary budget deficit of 0.4% is reached in 2028 and maintained thereafter.
Stronger
governance of state-owned enterprises can boost productivity and improve public services
OECD Indicators of Product Market Regulation, quality and scope of public ownership
Index scale of 0-6 from least to most restrictive, 2023
Source: OECD 2023-2024 Product Market Regulation database (December 2025).
Addressing population ageing
Working-age population, 20-64 year olds
Estimated change in %, 2024-2050
Reducing incentives for early retirement and increasing the retirement age can help prolong working lives
Expected duration of working life
Years, 2024
Note: The indicator on duration of working life is an estimation of the number of years a person, currently aged 15 years, is expected to be in the labour force (i.e. to be employed or unemployed) throughout their life.
Source: Eurostat.
Stronger prevention and higher-quality care are needed to improve health outcomes
Self-perceived long-standing limitations in usual activities due to health problems
Adults aged 65 and over, %, 2024 or latest available year
Some limitations
Severe limitations
Wider access to professional rehabilitation for persons with disabilities can boost employment
Difference in employment rates between people without and with activity limitation, percentage points, 2024 or latest
Note: Activity limitation is operationalised by using the Global Activity Limitation Indicator for observing limitation in activities people usually do because of one or more health problems.
Strengthening work-based learning would support the employment of vocational education graduates
Tackling housing challenges
High vacancies and holiday rentals reduce housing supply and affordability
Improving land-use policies and efficiency of construction can raise housing supply
Labour productivity in the construction sector, gross value added per hour worked Euro area (EA) = 100, 2024 or latest available year
Note: In constant 2020 purchasing power parity.
Source: OECD calculations based on OECD National Accounts Database.
Developing the long-term rental market could enhance
Taxation of property could be optimised
Towards a net-zero economy
Accelerated policy action is needed to reach net-zero by 2050
Greenhouse gas emissions
Million tonnes of CO2-equivalent
Scenario with existing measures
Note: Data include land use, land-use change and forestry.
Source: Croatia’s Nationally Determined Contributions-Common Tabular Formats; OECD, “Air emissions - Greenhouse gas emissions Inventories”, OECD Environment Statistics.
Faster permitting procedures can boost renewable energy deployment
Stricter regulation and targeted financial assistance would help incentivise housing renovation
Energy use intensity
Total energy consumed per floor area, residential sector, 2023 or latest available year
Note: Total energy consumed per floor area is measured in gigajoule per square metre.
Source: International Energy Agency, Energy End-Uses and Efficiency Indicators database. 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
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