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3 clusters · 13 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Disability prevalence and trends in Croatia

Overview

In early October 2026, health authorities in Croatia released specific data regarding cerebral palsy. The Croatian Institute of Public Health reported 27,146 registered cases of cerebral palsy and paralytic syndromes, accounting for approximately 4.02 percent of the nation’s disabled population. Broader statistics released in late September 2026 indicated that 730,987 people in Croatia were registered with a disability, representing 18.9 percent of the total population. This marks a significant increase from 14.4 percent five years prior.

In response to ongoing concerns regarding the working conditions of the approximately 3,400 personal assistants in the country, the Croatian Ministry of Social Policy announced an increase in hourly compensation. In late October 2026, the Ministry raised the rate paid to associations for personal assistance services from 11 to 14 euros. Minister Alen Ružić stated that the objective is to equalize pay between assistants employed through associations and those in social welfare institutions, noting that “equal work must be equally paid.”

This adjustment seeks to address a chronic shortage of workers in a demanding field, a need that intensified following a December 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that expanded service eligibility and allowable assistance hours. Previously, associations had to cover salaries, operational costs, and paid leave from the 11-euro rate, which often resulted in assistants receiving only minimum wage. The government also intends to utilize lottery funds to support additional related costs.

Entities

Croatian Institute of Public Health · Croatia · Knin · Zagreb · Croatian Ministry of Social Policy

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Croatia increases compensation for personal assistants

    Croatia will increase the hourly compensation for personal assistance associations from 11 to 14 euros to equalize pay and address labor shortages following a Constitutional Court ruling.

  2. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Disability statistics reveal nearly 19% of Croatia's population is affected

    A report from the Croatian Institute of Public Health shows that 18.9% of Croatia's population, nearly 731,000 people, are registered with a disability.

  3. [HEALTH] 7 sources
    Croatia reports 27,146 registered cases of cerebral palsy

    Croatia marks World Cerebral Palsy Day, reporting 27,146 registered cases. Health officials emphasize the importance of early intervention, rehabilitation, and social inclusion for those affected.

Sources

24sata.hr · cityportal.hr · dalmacijanews.hr · danas.rs · in-portal.hr · jutarnji.hr · klikaj.hr · knin.hr · metkovicnet.com · ogportal.com · poslovni.hr · pozeski.hr · prigorski.hr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history