Croatia is entering the final stretch of its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with government officials and business leaders portraying membership as a turning point that could elevate the country’s global economic standing—provided reform momentum continues.
At a conference in Zagreb on Friday, held after the presentation of the OECD’s second Economic Survey of Croatia, senior officials said accession—expected later this year—would boost competitiveness, broaden investor confidence, and reinforce institutional credibility in international markets.
The survey was presented by OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann following a thematic session of the Croatian government chaired by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. It marks what officials described as the concluding phase of a multi-year accession process that has required extensive policy alignment and legislative reform.
Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, who serves as Croatia’s chief negotiator with the OECD, said the organisation had recognised “strong economic results” and the government’s reform record. Croatia has already secured positive assessments from 20 of the OECD’s 25 committees, with technical discussions completed in the remainder.
“This process has always been seen not merely as an administrative goal, but as a tool to improve governance and policy quality,” Grlić Radman said.
Finance Minister Tomislav Ćorić emphasised that while the OECD report acknowledges progress, it also underscores the need for continued reform—particularly in fiscal sustainability, housing affordability, labour market participation, and climate transition policies.
According to OECD projections, Croatia’s economy has demonstrated resilience in recent years, narrowing the gap with advanced economies in income and living standards. Officials said accession would further expand the pool of potential investors by signalling institutional stability and regulatory predictability.
Insulate the Country From External Financial Shocks
Central bank governor Boris Vujčić noted that OECD membership would help insulate the country from external financial shocks while reinforcing investor confidence. Business leaders echoed the view, arguing that membership would make Croatian firms more competitive internationally—particularly in capital-intensive and technology-driven sectors.
Yet speakers repeatedly stressed that OECD membership is not an endpoint. Representatives from employer associations and chambers of commerce said Croatia must shift its growth model away from reliance on public investment and European Union funds toward stronger private-sector investment, productivity, and innovation.
Cormann, addressing the conference, said Croatia had made “fantastic” progress but warned that sustained reform efforts would be necessary to maintain economic convergence with wealthier OECD nations.
For Croatia, officials argued, joining the OECD is as much about credibility as it is about growth—an institutional seal of approval that could reshape how the country is perceived by global markets, investors, and policymakers alike.