Education in Croatia Ascending, Female Leaders Steering the Way
In a recent report by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, findings from the 2021 census reveal a notable shift in the country's educational landscape.
Over the past six decades, there has been a substantial increase in the share of the population completing higher education. In 2021, over 160 thousand students were enrolled in 131 higher education institutions in Croatia, reflecting the expansion of higher education over these 60 years [1]. This growth aligns with broader European trends of increased accessibility and participation in tertiary education.
The 2021 census also shows a significant increase in the share of the population with a high school diploma compared to previous censuses. In 2021, the share of the population with a high school diploma stands at 55.5 percent, a 2.9 percentage point increase compared to 2011 [2]. Meanwhile, the share of the population with completed primary school education or less decreased significantly, down 10.4 percentage points compared to 2011 and 65.2 percentage points compared to 1961 [2].
Interestingly, the increase in the share of the population with a high school diploma was simultaneous with a decrease in the share of the population with no school education and lower education. This shift indicates a broader trend towards increased educational attainment in Croatia.
When looking at county-level statistics, the Split-Dalmatia County, home to the University of Split, one of Croatia’s largest universities with 18,000 students and extensive faculties, likely has one of the highest proportions of higher-educated residents [2]. Similarly, Zagreb County, containing the capital city Zagreb, would be expected to have a high share due to the concentration of educational institutions.
However, the Croatian Bureau of Statistics did not provide detailed county-specific shares of the population with completed higher education in 2021. Analyzing Croatia’s regional educational infrastructure and urban centers can offer insights into the distribution of higher education. Generally, counties housing major urban centers and universities tend to have the highest shares of residents with completed higher education, while more rural or economically less developed counties often exhibit lower shares of higher-educated populations.
In terms of gender, women dominate in all age groups for completed higher education, except for the age group over 60, where there is a larger share of men [3].
In summary, the 2021 census reveals a significant increase in the share of the population completing higher education in Croatia compared to previous censuses. The Split-Dalmatia County and Zagreb County are likely to have some of the highest proportions of higher-educated residents due to the presence of major higher education centers. For precise county-level data on higher education completion rates in 2021, consulting Croatian census or educational statistics from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics would be required.
References:
[1] Croatian Ministry of Science and Education. (2021). Higher Education and Research in Croatia. Retrieved from https://www.mzos.hr/en/higher-education-and-research-in-croatia
[2] Croatian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). 2021 Census Results. Retrieved from https://www.dzs.hr/en/2021-population-census
[3] Croatian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Gender Statistics in Croatia. Retrieved from https://www.dzs.hr/en/gender-statistics-in-croatia
Education-and-self-development and personal-growth are intrinsically linked with the learning opportunities provided by higher education in Croatia, as the 2021 census shows a significant increase in the share of the population with a high school diploma and higher education, indicating a broader trend towards increased educational attainment in the country.
Learning is not only confined to the classroom, but also extends to personal growth, as the croatian educational landscape witnessed a notable shift in 2021, with women dominating in all age groups for completed higher education, except for the age group over 60.
