July the 12th, 2026 – As Croatia’s labour market and demographics change, one in every twelve workers paying social contributions in Croatia is now a foreign national.
Foreign workers now make up a significant share of Croatia’s labour force, with Poslovni reporting that these new figures showing that one in every 12 people employed or paying social insurance contributions in the country is a foreign national.
This latest data, presented by the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO), highlights how Croatia has become increasingly reliant on overseas workers to fill labour shortages across a range of industries, particularly tourism, construction, transport and manufacturing.
More than 150,000 foreign workers in the system
According to the latest figures, more than 150,000 foreign nationals are currently registered as employed or paying mandatory social contributions in Croatia, accounting for roughly 8% of everyone contributing to the country’s social insurance system. The number has risen very sharply over the past few years as employers increasingly recruit workers from abroad to address chronic labour shortages, particularly during the busy tourist season.
Tourism and construction remain the biggest employers
The hospitality and tourism sector continues to employ the largest number of foreign workers, followed closely by construction. Very large numbers are also employed in transport and logistics, manufacturing, retail and various service industries, reflecting the growing dependence of Croatia’s economy on international labour. Many workers come from countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Nepal, the Philippines, India and North Macedonia, although the number of source countries has expanded significantly in more recent years.
Labour shortages continue to reshape Croatia’s entire economy
Croatia’s rapidly ageing population, low unemployment and continued emigration of domestic workers have left employers struggling to fill vacancies across many sectors. As a result, businesses have increasingly turned to international recruitment, making foreign workers an essential part of the country’s economic growth. Employers’ associations have repeatedly warned that without continued access to overseas labour, many industries (particularly tourism and construction) would struggle terribly to maintain their current high levels of activity.
A lasting shift for Croatia’s workforce and demographic picture
The latest figures underline how incredibly dramatically Croatia’s labour market has changed in just a few years. Once primarily a country of emigration, Croatia is increasingly becoming a destination for workers from around the world, with foreign employees now playing a crucial role in supporting key industries and sustaining economic growth. Analysts expect their importance to continue growing as demographic pressures and labour shortages remain among the country’s biggest long-term economic challenges.
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