ZAGREB, 23 Oct, 2021 - Close to 30% of companies in Croatia did not have any employees in 2020 when of 139,009 businesses, 41,595  (29.9%) did not have workers, the Financial Agency (FINA) has said in a report which is based on processed annual financial statements.

A total of 37,865 of the 41,595 businesses without employees operated normally, 1,273 were undergoing liquidation, and 2,457 were undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.

A total of 17,438 businesses operated at a profit while 24,157 reported losses.

The share of businesses without employees in the total number of businesses was high, 29.9%, but it was small in relation to other positive indicators, with the share of businesses without employees in total revenue being 2.7%, in expenses 3.1%, pre-tax profit 7%, profit for the period 7.4%, exports 2% and investments 2.7%, FINA said.

Most of the businesses without employees operated in trade (8,280), followed by professional, scientific and technical activities (6,023) and construction (4,644).

Businesses without employees in trade had the highest total revenue (HRK 4.3 billion), followed by businesses in real estate activities (HRK 3.5 bn), and businesses in construction (HRK 3.3 bn).

Businesses without employees in 2020 incurred a net loss in 13 activities and operated in the black in eight activities.

The total financial result of all businesses without employees was negative, a net loss of HRK 2.1 billion.

The highest net loss was reported by businesses in real estate activities (HRK 755.7 million), construction (HRK 690.7 million), and manufacturing (HRK 403.2 million).

The lowest loss was reported by businesses in Other service activities (HRK 3.4 million).

Businesses without employees reported a net profit in only two counties - Međimurje County (HRK 16.8 million) and Virovitica-Podravina County (HRK 8.6 million) - while those in other counties reported losses, the highest having been reported in Istria County (HRK 436.1 million), followed by Split-Dalmatia County (HRK 433.1 million), and Zadar County (HRK 304.5 million).

The net loss of businesses without employees in the City of Zagreb, which had the largest number of such businesses (14,500 or 35% of the total number), was HRK 54 million.

Broken down by type of ownership, most businesses without employees were privately owned (41,165 or 99%) and they also reported the highest loss, of HRK 1.8 billion.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)

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ZAGREB, 15 Oct 2021 - A total of 28,615 businesses operating in Croatia's wholesale and retail sector in 2020, employing 192,367 workers and earning HRK 260.2 billion in total revenues, according to an analysis by the Financial Agency (Fina) for the years 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2020. 

By comparison, there were 27,044 wholesale and retail operators in 2004, 27,262 in 2009, and 26,260 in 2014.

The number of workers in this sector was 5.2% higher in 2020 than in 2004. The largest number was recorded in 2009 (198,988) and the lowest in 2014 (178,645).

The highest total revenues were generated in 2020, of HRK 260.2 billion, which was an increase of HRK 82.6 billion compared with 2004.

In 2020, the highest total revenue was reported by Konzum Plus (HRK 10 billion), followed by Lidl Croatia (HRK 6.1 bn), Spar Croatia (HRK 5 bn), and Plodine (HRK 4.5 bn).

The highest total profit was also generated in 2020, of HRK 10.2 billion, and was two and a half times higher than in 2004. The best earner was Lidl Croatia, with a profit of HRK 274.8 million.

The highest total loss was recorded in 2009, amounting to HRK 4.3 billion, which was 60.9% higher than in 2020 when it totaled HRK 2.6 billion.

The consolidated net result for last year was HRK 7.5 billion, compared with HRK 1.86 billion in 2004, HRK 1.44 billion in 2009, and HRK 2.3 billion in 2014.

The largest fixed capital investments were made in 2004, of HRK 8.9 billion, while in 2020 they totaled HRK 2.4 billion, which is 72.9% less than in 2004.

The largest trade deficit was reported in 2020, of HRK 37.4 billion, compared with HRK 25.6 billion in 2014, HRK 36.7 billion in 2009, and HRK 36.3 billion in 2004.

Last year, the biggest importers were Lidl Croatia (HRK 2.3 billion) and Medika (HRK 2.1 billion).

In 2020, the average net monthly salary in this sector was HRK 5,816, up by 84.3% compared with 2004 when it was HRK 3,157. It was 2.6% lower than the average wage in the enterprise sector, which amounted to HRK 5,971.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)

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