ZAGREB, 2t Feb (Hina) - Croatians are increasingly investing in gold, precious metals, stocks and cryptocurrencies while real estate investment is declining, it was said at a roundtable, entitled "Preserving the Real Value of Money in Challenging Times" and organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK).

The discussion focused on the three main investment types -- financial markets, gold and precious metals, and real estate -- covering their benefits, risks and current trends.

Vladimir Potočki, Director of Investment Gold at Auro Domus Group, said gold remains a reliable store of value, especially during inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.

"Gold is an anchor and a lasting foundation for portfolio stability," he said, noting that investing in gold should be encouraged in Croatia as it is in Western countries and the U.S.

He emphasised that while 90% of Croatian citizens still invest in real estate, financial assets make up only 3% of household portfolios compared with 27% in the EU.

Trading in precious metals in Croatia has surged in recent years from €350 million in 2024 to €800–900 million in 2025 -- with gold prices rising from €30–35 per gram five years ago to €140 today.

Marko Bogdan, Board Member of InterCapital, highlighted that financial markets are the greatest wealth generator historically and increasingly accessible to all, with investments starting from as little as €10. Younger investors favour cryptocurrencies for high returns, while older investors prefer stocks, he said.

Dubravko Ranilović, President of the Real Estate Business Association at HGK, noted that real estate investment has been declining, especially among foreign buyers, though the market is expected to stabilise and prices adjust.

Goran Šaravanja, HGK Chief Economist, added that Croatia has increasing wealth and available funds for investment, the key question being only whether people choose to invest.