This section provides the most recent available data on the number of educational institutions from pre-primary to upper secondary education level (ISCED levels 0-3). Statistics on numbers and characteristics of higher education institutions can be found in the European Tertiary Education Register. A general overview of the categories of institutions providing publicly-subsidised adult education and training can be found in the chapter on adult education. The notes below the tables provide methodological explanations necessary for a good interpretation of data.

Statistical data on the number of educational institutions that include preschool, primary and secondary education programmes, 2022/2023.

Statistics on educational institutions providing regular education

The total number of kindergartens includes data on other legal entities in the Republic of Croatia implementing early childhood education and care programmes – apart from ECEC institutions (kindergartens) - i.e. playgroups in libraries or in other health, social, cultural and sports organisations providing pre-primary and pre-schools programmes.

Primary schools providing pre-primary programmes are included in the data. 

Primary schools provide single structure education at ISCED 1 and 2. Some primary schools provide preschool programmes one year before primary education and are included in both the data on kindergartens and primary schools.

Upper secondary schools in Croatia can be self-standing upper secondary schools providing general education programmes (gymnasiums). The same applies for schools providing vocational education programmes. Some upper secondary schools are combined and are providing both general education programmes and vocational programmes. High school programmes last four years. The duration of secondary school vocational programmes can be different, from two to five years. Some secondary vocational schools are also engaged in adult education through the implementation of adult education programmes for the acquisition of complete qualifications, partial qualifications and, from 2022, the programme for the acquisition of micro-qualifications.

Adult education is most often carried out in institutions whose founders are private or natural persons.

The Ministry of Science and Education publishes and updates the list of all high school institutions in the Republic of Croatia on the Školski e-Rudnik website, while the system for registration of adult education institutions (NISEO) is being developed.

Detailed information and data on number of schools and students by location, education level, sector and orientations can be found in a set of statistical data on all schools in Croatia (ŠeR) published on the official website of the Ministry of Science and Education (ŠeR_MZO), volume I., number of page:

2. number of school institutions
3. school institutions on map
4. statistics by school years
5. number of pupils
6. graphic representation by county
7. number of pupils by schools
8. pupils by class
9. pupils by class department
10. average – class departments
11. pupils by gender
12. educational programmes by school institutions
13. graphic representation of educational programmes
14. pupils with disabilities
15. special areas
16. models of schooling
17. shifts in school institutions
18. types of school institutions.

Statistics on separate educational institutions providing special needs education

Kindergartens can provide special needs education on ISCED 0 level but data on their number is not available in the official sources of information.

At ISCED level 1 and 2, a29 centres are providing education programmes for children with disabilities.

At ISCED level 3, 5 centres provide programmes for children and youth with developmental disabilities.

Centres for education were founded by the state, county or city and are publicly financed. Centres can be financed by the Ministry of Science and Education and the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy.

Data on the number of institutions is presented according to the legal entity approach (one educational institution corresponds to a legal, administrative or organisational entity or unit, which may operate on a single institution site or cluster several institution sites).