Zadar County reports significant employment growth and falling unemployment

Zadar County is experiencing significant positive trends in its labor market. According to data from the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute, as of August 31, 2026, there were 74,798 insured individuals in the county, an increase of 1,163 compared to the same day the previous year and a 34.3 percent rise since 2016.

Unemployment in the region has also seen a substantial decline. Data from the Croatian Employment Service shows that by the end of August 2026, there were 1,953 unemployed persons, representing a 63.1 percent decrease from the 5,298 unemployed recorded in August 2016. County Prefect Josip Bilaver noted that the addition of over 19,000 jobs over the last decade serves as a concrete indicator of economic development.

Economic growth is not solely driven by tourism; sectors such as construction, trade, manufacturing, transport, and various service industries are also contributing to employment gains. Additionally, the Croatian Chamber of Economy's development index ranked Zadar County second among Croatian counties in 2025, trailing only the City of Zagreb.