National Development Strategy Croatia 2030: Roadmap for a Better Future

Investment in transport infrastructure, primarily in improved road connections, has been the 
most important regional development investment policy since 2000. 
Some of those investments, such 
as a highway network connecting the coastline to other EU member states, have brought significant bene-
fits, particularly in terms of faster tourism development. However, some parts of the country like islands, 
mountainous areas, and Dubrovnik-Neretva county still suffer from poor connectivity due to their geogra-
phy. Despite high level of investments, certain key complements are still missing that would enable reaping 
higher benefits for the economy and citizens. This includes an effective logistics sector (for domestic and 
international trade), efficient and integrated public transport, and traffic management and other investments 
to reduce congestion in major cities, at borders and in touristic areas. 
145.
Human capital development remains weak across Croatia, particularly in dense lagging areas.
Even in leading cities, the share of the population with tertiary education ranges from 21 to 32 percent, 
while outside of leading cities only 10 percent of the population has tertiary education. Slavonia and the 
North East parts have the worst educational performance, with 1.7 to 6.4 percent having tertiary education, 
and there are many municipalities where 5 to 18 percent of the population has not completed primary 
education. 
35
See https://vlada.gov.hr/UserDocsImages//2016/Sjednice/2017/12%20prosinac percent20prosinac/73%20sjednica%20VRH 
percent20sjednica percent20VRH//73%20-%2012%20b percent20- percent2012 percent20b.pdf 

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Croatia 2030: Roadmap for a Better Future
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146.
Despite its small size and population, there are 20 regional units, 555 municipalities and towns