In Croatia, many sought-after jobs remain low-paying, with workers earning around the minimal wage of €1050 gross, leading to concerns about their ability to secure a minimum pension.
The job market in Croatia continues to see high demand for positions such as salespeople, waiters, cleaners, cooks, nurses, warehouse workers, assistant cooks, drivers, educators, and administrative officials. Most of these roles, except for nursing and education, are characterized as low-paying, low-skilled jobs, yet they remain vital to the economy. According to data from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ), approximately 355,000 domestic and foreign workers are either earning a minimum wage or near it, calculated to be €1050 gross or about €800 net per month.
The implications of these wage levels raise serious concerns about economic sustainability and the welfare of workers in Croatia. The average gross wages for the most sought-after jobs barely exceed the minimum threshold, particularly impacting foreign workers who often find themselves similarly undercompensated. The situation highlights a troubling trend of wage stagnation that could further erode the middle class in Croatia as more workers find themselves unable to save enough for retirement or secure a decent standard of living.
As such, this issue goes beyond mere statistics; it poses significant questions regarding economic policies, labor rights, and the future of the Croatian workforce. Without addressing these wage challenges, the country risks losing both domestic talent and the capacity for its economy to grow, leading to broader social implications as the gap between low and higher earners widens.
