Croatia

Abstract

The chapter gives an overview of the Croatian socio-economic situation and pension, employment and health policies. Lower levels of employment in general, and particularly for older workers is one of the main features of the socioeconomic situation. Early retirement is common and the active ageing paradigm is neither discussed nor implemented. In the Croatian context, limited research exists around workplace issues such as caring, health and pension inequalities. The pension system is a mixed system, based on three pillars and characterised by a very unfavourable dependency ratio. This system undergoes constant changes which are in many cases contradictory, particularly in relation to the penalisation of early retirement and the equalisation of pensionable age for men and women. Employment policies have undergone many changes in recent years, mostly related to a move towards more flexible working arrangements. In summary, the gender and health aspects of extending working life still need to be publicly discussed and researched.