In 2022, Croatia had the European Union’s (EU) lowest rate (2.3%) of early leavers from education and training among young people (aged 18-24). 

Comparing education levels to the EU, Croatia in 2022 had a lower percentage of young people (aged 15-29) completing the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 0-2 education level, a higher percentage for ISCED 3-4, and a lower percentage for ISCED 5-8.

In 2022, Croatia’s youth (aged 15-29) non-formal education participation was significantly lower (6.1%) than the EU average (12.1%).

The Croatian Qualifications Framework Act defines key concepts related to education and learning, recognising the following levels: formal learning, non-formal learning, informal learning, and lifelong learning. 

The Ministry of Science and Education, alongside competent departments – the Department for Education and Care and the Department for Higher Education, performs administrative and other tasks related to primary and secondary education, as well as the development of education and higher education.

Education and Teacher Training Agency performs professional and advisory services in education and care and participates in the monitoring, advancement, and development of education and care in the sectors of primary and secondary education. 

The Central State Office for Demography and Youth) is another important governmental body responsible for formulating youth-related public policies in non-formal education. 

Croatia lacks a dedicated strategy for preventing early leaving from education and training (ELET). Nonetheless, some strategies address this issue, including The Strategy for Education, Science and Technology, The Strategy for Lifelong Guidance and Career Development in the Republic of Croatia 2016-2020, and The Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2022-2023.

The Croatian Qualifications Framework Act) defines non-formal and informal learning and envisions developing a system to recognise and evaluate non-formal and informal learning. However, from the Act’s adoption until December 2020, the Ordinance on the Recognition and Validation of Non-formal and Informal Learning, intended to regulate its implementation, has not been adopted. The Agency for Science and Higher Education has published Guidelines and Procedures for Recognition and Validation of Non-formal and Informal Learning describing the recognition procedure (even though there is not yet an official procedure or the Ordinance prescribing it). 

In The Strategy of Education, Science and Technology one of the goals in education is internationalisation. The Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes Act designates the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes with managing the EU’s mobility programmes.

While there is no specific strategy for youth on media literacy and safe use of new media, materials addressing media literacy are incorporated in Croatian language classes within both primary and secondary school curricula.