Croatia is often noted for its premier tourist sites. Despite slowdowns in the global economy, Croatia is likely to grow substantially this year. We set out to study the extent of Croatia’s growth.

Economic Structure

  • GDP: $50.96 bn
    • Moderate, steady GDP growth around 4-6%
  • Per Capita Income: $12,863
  • Unemployment: 11.8%
  • Current Account Balance: -$3.836 bn, -7.1% of GDP
  • Economic future: GDP growth expected around 10% for 2008-2009
  • Trade deficit growing: $5.07 bn in 2007, a 5-year high
  • Uneven regional development
  • Economy heavily influenced by state
    • Privatization often resisted by both politicians and the public
  • Currently furthering agenda of EU mandated reforms, though at slow pace
    • Especially slow in politically sensitive areas such as agriculture, fishing, ship-building, and steel
  • EU entry expected in 2011, at earliest

Demographic:

  • Median Age
    • male: 38.9 years
    • female: 42.6 years
  • Sex Ratio
    • under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
    • 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
    • 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
  • Largely Catholic population

Croatia’s Industry Sectors:

  • Tourism
    • Tourism receipts cover about two-thirds of the merchandise trade deficit
    • The tourism industry accounted for almost $10.8 bn last year
  • Major trading partners are Italy, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Major imports are machinery, transport and electrical equipment; chemicals, fuels and lubricants; and foodstuffs
    • Major exports are transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, and fuels