Croatia ranked in world’s top 10 for business regulation in World Bank report

Zagreb

Croatia has once again confirmed its position among the world’s leading countries for business regulation, according to the latest Business Ready (B-Ready) report published by the World Bank Group.

The report, which assessed 101 economies worldwide, ranks Croatia among the top ten globally for its regulatory framework and public services, while placing the country 26th overall for operational efficiency.

The results underline Croatia’s strong institutional foundations, alongside clear potential for further improvements in the speed and effectiveness of business processes.

In the category of regulatory framework, Croatia ranked 9th globally, reflecting the quality, clarity and predictability of its laws and regulations, as well as their alignment with international standards. This ranking highlights the stability and reliability of Croatia’s legal environment for businesses.

Croatia also performed exceptionally well in public services, securing 6th place worldwide. This result confirms the country’s high level of digitalisation, including the availability of online registers, permits and administrative procedures that are essential for business operations.

One of the standout results of the report is Croatia’s 1st place ranking in international trade, positioning the country at the very top globally for the efficiency of customs, export and import procedures. This achievement underscores Croatia’s strength as a trade-oriented economy and an attractive gateway to European and global markets.

In addition, the report highlights strong performances in areas such as company formation, utility services, and the labour market, demonstrating favourable conditions for businesses at different stages of their lifecycle.

Commenting on the results, Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar said the findings confirm that Croatia is building a stable, predictable and competitive business environment.

“The Business Ready results show that Croatia’s reform direction, institutional consistency and investments in digitalisation are being recognised internationally. At the same time, we are aware of areas where there is room for further progress, and these will be the focus of our future activities to enable even more efficient and simpler business operations for entrepreneurs,” Šušnjar said.