Skilled, Bilingual, and Ready for Business
Why Croatia?
Located in Southeast Europe, Croatia, borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, and the Adriatic Sea to the west. Its terrain includes low mountains and highlands near the coast, and flat plains along the Hungarian border. Zagreb, the capital, serves as the central administrative and economic hub. The country is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional festivals and unique customs. Notable landmarks encompass the historic city of Dubrovnik, the Roman amphitheatre in Pula, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Croatia’s strategic location and well-developed infrastructure enhance its global connectivity. The national currency is the Croatian kuna (HRK).
Key advantages of BPOs in Croatia include:
Population and language
With a population of approximately 3.96 million, Croatia is predominantly Croat, with over 91% of residents. Minority groups include Serbs, Bosniaks, Hungarians, and Italians. The country has a population density of 69 people per square kilometre, with 61.2% living in urban areas. The average age is 43.4 years, reflecting an ageing society. Women generally live longer than men, contributing to a higher number of females. Life expectancy is 78.8 years. The official language is Croatian, written in the Latin script, while English is widely used in education and business. German and Italian are also taught in some institutions. Migration trends have shifted towards positive net migration, and the government actively promotes Croatian language learning among the diaspora through scholarship programmes.
Education and workforce
Croatia’s education system includes key institutions such as the University of Zagreb, University of Split, and University of Rijeka. Higher education attainment is growing, though it remains below the EU average. Vocational education plays a significant role, with over 70% of students enrolled in vocational programmes. Many vocational schools have transformed into Regional Centres of Competence to improve training and infrastructure. Employment rates for graduates are rising but still lag behind EU averages, particularly for vocational learners. The government is investing in adult learning and digital skills to address workforce gaps. Programme agreements are improving funding for scientific institutes and polytechnics. A national initiative is focused on increasing inclusion and equity in higher education. Skills mismatches persist, particularly in sectors requiring technology, problem-solving, and multilingual capabilities.
Transport and infrastructure
Croatia’s transport infrastructure supports business operations with modern airports, rail networks, and urban mobility projects. Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport (IATA: ZAG, ICAO: LDZA) is the primary hub for international and domestic flights, while Split Airport (IATA: SPU, ICAO: LDSP) and Dubrovnik Airport (IATA: DBV, ICAO: LDDU) handle significant business traffic. A USD 620 million project is modernising the Dugo Selo–Novska railway line, improving connectivity. A USD 6 billion investment plan aims to revitalise the national rail network, prioritising freight transport efficiency. The government is also funding electric bus charging infrastructure to promote sustainable transport. The rail network remains the safest option for internal travel, with ongoing upgrades enhancing service reliability. Urban mobility initiatives continue to expand, improving connectivity for business hubs and commercial districts.
Telecommunications and connectivity
A1, Hrvatski Telekom, and Telemach dominate Croatia’s telecommunications sector, with A1 leading in download speeds, latency, and video streaming. The fibre optic network continues to expand, with Exa Infrastructure adding 515 km, including 80 km in Zagreb, connecting to key data centres. Croatia hosts 15 data centres in Zagreb, Rijeka, and Osijek, supporting digital infrastructure. The GreenMed subsea cable strengthens international connectivity across the Adriatic Sea. The government has implemented the European Electronic Communications Code to enhance regulations. Internet access reaches 88.37%, supporting remote work. Investments in digital infrastructure aim to improve higher education and business operations. The telecom sector is growing at 2.5% annually, with approximately 390 active businesses. The government continues to invest in digital skills and workforce modernisation.
Government support and growth
The Business Innovation Center of Croatia (BICRO) funds research and development projects for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Zagreb Innovation Centre (ZICER) supports over 100 tech companies, driving digital entrepreneurship. Dračevac Technology Park, a USD 24 million development in Split, aims to drive innovation and support IT startups. The government has allocated USD 202 million to support SME digitalisation, USD 67.5 million for cloud computing, and USD 67.5 million for data analytics. Fiskalizacija 2.0 will make business-to-business e-invoicing mandatory to increase financial transparency. The Subnational Business Ready (B-READY) study provides regulatory improvement roadmaps for Osijek, Rijeka, Split, Varaždin, and Zagreb. The Technical Support Instrument has financed 108 projects in Croatia, focused on digital transformation. Investments in adult learning, IT skills, and regulatory frameworks aim to strengthen economic growth.
BPO services
The BPO market in Croatia is projected to grow by 4.95% annually, reaching USD 283.60 million by 2029. The call centre industry alone is valued at USD 40.8 million, with 82 companies operating in the sector. Key players include M Plus Croatia, which received a USD 60 million investment to support international expansion. CoreX, co-founded by RIT Croatia graduate Max Žagar, is expanding its customer support services. The top BPO sectors include customer service, IT outsourcing, and finance and accounting services. Trends shaping the industry include AI-driven automation, hyper-personalisation, and multilingual support. The IT services market is also expanding, with projected growth of 6.29% annually, reaching USD 1.079 billion by 2029. The sector is strengthened by global outsourcing platforms and government initiatives supporting digital transformation.
Top Outsourcing services
Exceptional service solutions
South Africa excels in providing diverse and efficient outsourcing services, including customer support, technical assistance, financial process management, and specialised industry support.
ServiceS frequently outsourced to
Croatia
- Auditing
- Billing Support
- Booking Support
- Google Ad Buyers
- Customer Service
- Digital & Technology Services
- Digital Transformation
- ERP Solutions
- Financial Accounting
- Help Desk
- I.T. Audit & Consulting
- I.T. Staffing Services
- Infrastructure Maintenance
- L2 & L3 Support
- Multilingual Services
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
- Omni-channel Services
- SEO Specialists
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
- Software Development
- Web Development Services
ServiceS frequently outsourced to
Coratia
- Auditing
- Billing Support
- Google Ad Buyers
- Business Process OutsourcingCustomer Service
- Digital & Technology Services
- Digital Transformation
- ERP Solutions
- Financial Accounting
- Help Desk
- I.T. Audit & Consulting
- I.T. Staffing Services
- Infrastructure Maintenance
- L2 & L3 SupportLead Generation
- Multilingual Services
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
- Multilingual Services
- Omni-channel Services
- SEO Specialists
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
- Software Development
- Web Development Services