In quality of higher education, Croatia ranked 45th out of 50 countries rated by the international network of research-intensive universities, Universitas 21.

The ranking was based on resources, environment, connectivity, and scientific production, i.e. output.

Croatia dropped two places compared to last year, and, having been overtaken by Bulgaria and Romania, it now ranks lowest of all the European countries ranked in the survey.

In the region, Serbia ranked 42nd, Hungary 36th, Slovenia 29th, Italy 28th, and Austria was 11th.

The United States topped the list, followed by Switzerland, Great Britain, Sweden, and Denmark.

Croatia ranked 43rd in available resources, 48th in legal and regulatory environment, 42nd in connectivity, and 41st in output.

In terms of output, the country dropped seven places because none of the Croatian universities are listed among 500 best on the Academic Ranking of World Universities since the University of Zagreb lost its position in 2017, after having been ranked between 400th and 500th place the year before.