This Economic Survey was prepared by Tim Bulman with inputs from Timo Leidecker and under the supervision of Philip Hemmings. Béatrice Guérard provided research and stastistical assistance. Michelle Ortiz provided editorial support. The Survey benefitted from useful inputs and comments by Alvaro Pereira and Isabell Koske, Director and Deputy Director of the Country Studies Branch in the Economics Department, Vincent Koen, Mauro Pisu, Cristiana Vitale and Paul Yu from the Economics Department, and colleagues from the OECD Directorates for Education; Employment, Labour and Social Affairs; Environment; Financial and Enterprise Affairs; Public Governance; and Science, Technology and Innovation, and from the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration.
On 25 January 2022, the OECD Council decided to open accession discussions with Croatia as well as five other countries (Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Peru and Romania). On 10 June 2022, the Council at Ministerial Level adopted the Roadmap for the Accession Process of Croatia [C/MIN(2022)23/FINAL], setting out the terms, conditions and process for the accession of Croatia to the OECD. In accordance with this Roadmap, 25 OECD technical committees, composed of expert policy-makers from each of the 38 OECD Members, will conduct an in-depth assessment of Croatia’s legislation, policies and practices against OECD legal instruments as well as OECD best policies and practices covering multiple areas of government policy, including but not limited to economic policy, labour market and social policy, education, and health.
The overarching objective of the OECD accession process is to promote Croatia’s convergence with OECD standards, best policies and best practices, resulting in better outcomes for OECD Members as well as for Croatia and its citizens. Throughout the accession process, the OECD will work closely with Croatia to support the adoption of long-lasting reforms for this purpose.
The Economic Survey of Croatia was discussed at a meeting of the Economic and Development Review Committee (EDRC) on 4 July 2023 and is published on the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The cut-off date for data used in the Survey is 12 September 2023. Information on other Surveys and how they are prepared is available at https://www.oecd.org/economy/surveys/
Publication of this document, and the analysis and recommendations contained therein, do not prejudge in any way the results of the review of Croatia by the Economic Development Review Committee as part of its process of accession to the OECD.