A lack of Croatian language skills and limited motivation to learn it, coupled with discrimination from the local population, are among the main obstacles faced by foreign workers from distant Asian countries in Croatia, according to a survey presented on Friday.
The findings were shared at a conference titled “Migration, Labour Market and Integration: Croatia Tomorrow”, organised by the Croatian Employers’ Association (HUP) and the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies.
The survey, conducted by the Institute in December and January, covered 400 foreign workers, 83% of whom were men. Most respondents were under the age of 40 and came from the Philippines, Nepal and India.
“These workers primarily come to Croatia for economic reasons due to difficult conditions in their home countries, and 90% send remittances back to their families,” said Iva Tadić of the Institute.
The report found that although respondents’ educational credentials were not formally verified, 90% claimed to have completed secondary or higher education. About half said they held a high school diploma, while around 40% reported having a university degree.
Most respondents work full-time in the transport and hospitality sectors, particularly in delivery services. Despite their employment status, language remains a critical challenge—70% of surveyed workers said they do not speak Croatian and are learning it informally. Only 8% said they speak the language fluently.
Over 90% of respondents said they plan to remain in Croatia for at least ten years, with many expressing intentions to stay until retirement. More than half plan to bring their families to Croatia.
However, 66% reported high levels of stress, largely due to perceived discrimination and social exclusion. Seven percent said they were experiencing mental health issues. Nonetheless, 87% believed they are entitled to the same quality of life as Croatian citizens.
When asked to rate their overall quality of life in Croatia on a scale of 1 to 10, respondents gave an average score of 4.2.
Sadmir Hošić, vice-president of HUP’s Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said Croatia is witnessing a new labour migration trend with the arrival of workers from more distant countries, who face a more difficult path to integration.
“In the past, foreign workers typically came from neighbouring countries and often shared a language. Even then, adaptation was not easy,” Hošić said.
He welcomed the presence of foreign workers, stating that Croatia’s recent economic growth would not have been possible without them. However, he acknowledged the long-term challenge of integration, citing both language barriers and bureaucratic hurdles.
“In my company, only one out of nine foreign workers is actively trying to learn Croatian,” he noted.
Marina Perić Kaselj, director of the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, said Croatia is undergoing a demographic shift from being a country of emigration to one of immigration.
“Most foreign workers now come from distant Asian countries, though some still arrive from the surrounding region,” she said, adding that some Croatian emigrants are also returning home.
Perić Kaselj called for a proactive migration policy, emphasising that migration is not merely about geographic relocation but involves broader social integration.