Croatia’s median wage rises to €1,200 – but is it enough?

Dubrovnik

ZAGREB, 21 March (Hina/CW) – The average monthly net wage per employee in legal entities for January 2025 amounted to €1,392, the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS) reported on Thursday, which shows that the average monthly salary rose 8% on the year in the real terms.

The average monthly net salary was nominally higher by €31, or 2.3%, compared to December last year. In comparison to January 2024, the net salary was nominally higher by €153, or 12.3%, and in real terms, it was 8% higher.

The highest average monthly net salary per employee was paid in the air transport sector, amounting to €2,184, while the lowest was in the clothing manufacturing sector, at €919.

Average gross salary €1,925

The average monthly gross wage per employee in January amounted to €1,925, which is nominally 2.6% higher and real terms 2.5% higher compared to December 2024.

Compared to January 2024, it was nominally 13.6% higher and real terms 9.2% higher, according to DZS data.

The highest average monthly gross salary per employee was also paid in the air transport sector, amounting to €3,166, while the lowest was in clothing manufacturing, at €1,204.

Median salary €1,200

The median net salary for January 2025 was €1,200, meaning that half of employees received less and half received more than this amount.

Compared to December 2024, the median net salary is 3.8% higher, and compared to the same month of the previous year, it is 13.3% higher.

Is It Enough?

A family of four in Croatia needs about €2,608 per month to cover living expenses, excluding rent, while a single person requires around €745.

In Zagreb, costs are slightly lower, with a family needing €2,596 and a single person about €751.

Rent prices vary by location. In Zagreb, apartments typically cost between €12-15 per square meter, meaning a 50m² apartment would range from €550 to €750 per month.

On the coast, a 55m² apartment in Split costs between €530 and €600, while in smaller cities like Zadar and Osijek, rent is more affordable at around €450 and €370, respectively.