ZAGREB, 2 Dec (Hina) - Thirty-six percent of Croatians would prefer to work in state-owned firms or public administration, while a quarter believe they need more than €1,990 a month for a dignified standard of living, a labour-market survey by job portal MojPosao showed on Monday.
The poll, conducted during the Regional Job Fair by Alma Career Croatia and partner platforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia, gathered responses from more than 5,000 people, including over 700 in Croatia.
Two-thirds of workers across the region cited pay as the main trigger for changing jobs, followed by workplace relations, working hours, learning opportunities and job security.
Among Croatian respondents, 31% said knowledge and skills are the key asset when job-hunting, while one in four pointed to motivation. Only 17% saw previous experience as decisive.
Asked what income is needed for a "normal life," 47% of Croatians named €1,330–€1,990, while 24% said more than €1,990. The share of those who think take-home pay should exceed €1,330 rose to 71%, from just over half last year.
Only one in five workers received a pay rise this year, while 15% reported inflation-related adjustments. Half received no raise and do not expect one, while 16% still hope for an increase by year-end.
Job mobility intentions eased: 51% of Croatian workers are considering changing jobs within a year, down from two-thirds in 2023. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded the highest rate at 69%.
Preferences for employers have shifted, with 36% of Croatians now favouring the public sector. Foreign-owned private firms and self-employment each attracted 21%, while domestic private companies were least preferred at 16%.
Job-loss fears have also declined: the share of Croatian employees worried about redundancy fell to 19% from 36% in 2020. Serbia had the highest level of concern at 30%.
Among Croatia's unemployed, 52% have been without work for up to three months and 14% for three to six months, though eight respondents reported searching for more than five years.
Students and recent graduates showed growing optimism: 31% expect to find a job within three months after finishing school, while 19% work during their studies. Another 31% expect a search of three to six months, and 12% foresee a wait longer than half a year. Young people in BiH were the least optimistic, with half expecting to look for work for more than six months.
