Over the past five years, the number of women entrepreneurs has risen by 15,803, or 50.7%. Women now account for 36.9% of all trades in Croatia.
According to HOK, data for February 2020, 2024 and 2025 show that the highest number of women entrepreneurs is consistently recorded in the City of Zagreb, followed by Split-Dalmatia County and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Zagreb and Split-Dalmatia County have also seen the largest increases in the number of women entrepreneurs over both the one-year and five-year periods.
"It is very important to promote women's entrepreneurship and encourage women to venture into running their own businesses, where they have proven to succeed with their skills and dedication," said Sandra Toth, Vice President of the Karlovac Trades Association, Vice President of the Karlovac County Chamber of Trades and Crafts, and Chair of HOK's Service and Professional Trades Guild. She added that support from family and the wider community is also crucial.
Ksenija Kolarević, Chair of HOK's Wood Processing Section, called on women to turn their creativity and hard work into successful businesses. "Croatia needs everyone who is willing and able to create," she said, urging women to engage in their professions and communities and to work towards improving the environments in which they live and work. "We have something to say and show. We often keep three corners of the house standing, as well as those of the community and the business world," she added.
"A large number of women are highly successful in their fields. It's important to share their stories and inspire new generations to dream and achieve success wherever they choose," said Antonija Tretinjak, Vice President of the Zagreb Chamber of Trades and Crafts and the Zagreb Trades Association, Chair of the Hairdressers and Beauticians Guild of the Zagreb Trades Association, and Chair of HOK's Vocational Education Committee.