[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Disability prevalence and trends in Croatia

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-25 09:29 UTC → 2026-10-26 08:45 UTC · added removed

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. Experts noted that cerebral palsy is the most common permanent physical disability in childhood, often involving associated challenges such as speech, mobility, or intellectual difficulties. 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. Data shows the most substantial growth occurred within In response to ongoing concerns regarding the last year, with an 8.3 percent rise representing 55,774 additional individuals. Tomislav Benjak, head working conditions of the Register of Persons with Disabilities at approximately 3,400 personal assistants in the country, the Croatian Institute Ministry of Public Health, attributed this trend to Social Policy announced an aging population and improved data coverage, noting that increased awareness of rights has encouraged more people to undergo official assessments. Demographic data shows that 49.1 percent of increase in hourly compensation. In late October 2026, the disabled population is aged 65 or older, while Ministry raised the working-age group (20 rate paid to 64 years) accounts associations for 38.6 percent. Geographically, the City of Zagreb recorded the highest absolute number of people with disabilities, while Šibenik-Knin County reported the highest rate at 24.4 percent. Additionally, approximately 3,400 personal assistance services from 11 to 14 euros. Minister Alen Ružić stated that the objective is to equalize pay between assistants work employed through associations and those in Croatia social welfare institutions, noting that “equal work must be equally paid.” This adjustment seeks to support these individuals, though address a chronic shortage of workers have called for better wages in a demanding field, a need that intensified following a December 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that expanded service eligibility and working conditions. 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-26 08:45 UTC Disability prevalence and trends in Croatia
  2. 2026-10-25 09:29 UTC Disability prevalence and trends in Croatia
  3. 2026-10-23 12:35 UTC Disability prevalence in Croatia

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.