At the end of December 2025, the Croatian Employment Service recorded a total of 82,625 unemployed persons, which is 1,513 more than a month earlier, representing an increase of 1.9%.

Although at first glance this might seem like a worrying trend, it is an expected seasonal increase because jobs in tourism and agriculture end during the winter months, temporarily increasing the number of those seeking work. On an annual basis, the picture is significantly more favorable; compared with December 2024, the number of unemployed persons is lower by 8,938, representing a decrease of 9.8% and confirming that overall unemployment in Croatia is steadily declining.

In the structure of the unemployed, women still predominate, with 43,933 recorded at the end of December, while the number of men stood at 38,692. Women thus account for 53.2%, and men 46.8% of total unemployment. Compared with the previous year, the number of unemployed women decreased by 10.5%, and men by 8.9%, showing that the decline in unemployment affects both groups equally.

By age groups, the largest decrease in unemployment compared with a year earlier was recorded among persons aged 55 to 59, where a decline of 14.5% was registered. This trend is probably the result of a persistent labor shortage, which is why employers more often retain experienced workers or hire them earlier than they did a few years ago. In younger groups, the decline is smaller, which may be linked to a lack of experience and a higher share of seasonal or occasional jobs among young people.

Looking at counties, Split-Dalmatia County had the highest number of unemployed persons in December with 14,409, followed by Osijek-Baranja County with 10,498 and the City of Zagreb with 9,481 unemployed persons. The fewest unemployed persons were recorded in Lika-Senj County, only 1,105. Compared with the previous year, a decline in unemployment was recorded in all counties, with the largest in Požega-Slavonia (22.2%), Istria (21.6%), and Sisak-Moslavina (18.6%). Such results show that the recovery of the labor market is not limited only to larger cities and the coast, but is being felt in all parts of Croatia.

In December, 6,842 persons found work and were removed from the unemployment register, and as many as 77.7% of them were employed on fixed-term contracts. The highest number of newly employed persons was in education and in health and social care activities, while in the accommodation and hospitality sector, which employs a large number of workers during the tourist season, a smaller share was expectedly recorded.

During December, 5,895 persons were included in active employment policy measures, mostly through education and training programs, and a smaller number through employment support, self-employment support, and public works. In this way, HZZ seeks to encourage the continuous development of workers and the adaptation of their skills to employers’ needs, which in the long term can further reduce unemployment.

The Croatian labor market today looks significantly different than it did a few years ago; it is no longer difficult to find a job for someone who wants to work, but the challenge remains to find better-paid and stable employment. The annual decline in unemployment of almost 10% confirms that Croatia is moving toward the lowest unemployment levels so far, while the slight increase in December is only a temporary seasonal phenomenon. A greater challenge remains short-term work and the need for greater job security, while seasonal jobs continue to create temporary fluctuations in the unemployment register.