9 answers, 3 from Croatia's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
147,607 students enrolled in Croatian higher education in the winter semester of 2025/2026, according to the DZS release on students enrolled on professional and university study. 58.7% were women. 83.2% studied at faculties and 14.9% at polytechnics. 73.8% studied full-time.
The most common fields were social sciences (42.9% of students in scientific fields) and engineering (28.8%). The count covers professional and university study under the Bologna system; doctoral and specialist students are counted in separate releases.
31,435 students completed university or professional studies in Croatia in 2025, according to the DZS release on students who completed university or professional study. 61.8% of them were women. 82.1% graduated from faculties, 15.7% from polytechnics and 2.1% from art academies.
The figure counts completed undergraduate, graduate and integrated programmes. Doctors of science and university specialists are published separately by DZS.
Croatia had 891 self-contained basic schools at the end of the 2024/2025 school year, with 1,052 satellite schools and departments, according to the DZS basic schools release. There were 448 upper secondary schools, according to the upper secondary schools release.
In basic schools the ratio of teachers to pupils in regular education was 1 to 7.7, and 81.7% of teachers were women. DZS notes that pupil numbers have been falling for a quarter of a century. In upper secondary education, 47.5% of students attended technical schools and 29.1% grammar schools.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in Croatia was 88.0% in 2017. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 90.4%; its low point was 2010, at 85.8%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 95.7%, and Croatia placed 39th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 99th of 134.
105.0%: that is gross secondary school enrolment in Croatia for 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 105.9%; its low point was 2010, at 98.9%. Europe & Central Asia median: 102.3%; Croatia is 20th highest of 48. Of 138 countries with 2023 data, 31st highest.
In 2023, gross tertiary enrolment in Croatia was 81.2%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 15th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 75.9%. Worldwide: 20th of 120.
4.1% of GDP: that is government spending on education in Croatia for 2021, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2007 was 2013, at 4.5% of GDP; its low point was 2017, at 3.9% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 4.7% of GDP, and Croatia placed 34th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 89th of 158.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Croatia was 14 in 2016. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 13; Croatia is 18th highest of 40. Of 136 countries with 2016 data, 98th highest.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the primary completion rate in Croatia at 100.5% in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 97.1% (2008) to 101.1% (2005). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 97.9%, and Croatia placed 11th highest of 42. Of 131 countries with 2023 data, 30th highest.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error