Country reports for Croatia

 

Education and Skills in Croatia

Education and Skills in Croatia

Croatia is taking decisive action to modernise its education and skills system, aiming to raise quality, expand access, and better align learning with labour market needs. This push for change comes at a critical time, as rapid demographic shifts have led to a growing number of small schools and a surplus of school teachers, putting pressure on education funding. Gaps in early childhood education and post-school learning limit opportunities for many learners, while a lack of data on student transitions makes it harder to track their pathways through and beyond education, and improve outcomes. Ensuring that education prepares young people and adults with the skills for the evolving demands of the labour market will be essential to support Croatia's aspirations of becoming a more innovative and competitive economy. This report assesses Croatia's policies and practices against those of OECD and reference countries in Central and Eastern Europe, covering the full learning cycle – from early childhood education and care to lifelong learning. It identifies key strengths and challenges and explores how Croatia can use OECD evidence and international experience to sustain reforms, direct resources where they are most needed, and strengthen data to support policy decisions. The report will be of interest in Croatia and other countries seeking to build a more equitable, efficient, and responsive education system to support economic and social progress.

Publication date:  06 June 2025
✓ Read the publication:  Education and Skills in Croatia
✓ See also:  OECD's iLibrary

+Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) Results: Croatia - Country Note

+Education at a Glance 2024: Croatia - Country Note

+Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 Results: Croatia - Country Note

+Advancing Digital Maturity in Croatia's Higher Education System

+Education in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Findings from PISA

+Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 Results (Volume II): Croatia - Country Note

+Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 Results (Volume I): Croatia - Country Note

+OECD Reviews of Tertiary Education: Croatia

+Reviews of National Policies for Education: South Eastern Europe 2003 [Volume 1: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo]