The Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) has reported a rise in the number of pension insurance beneficiaries for the eighth month in a row.

According to its report published on Thursday, the number of pension insurance beneficiaries at the end of September 2021 increased by 51,333 beneficiaries or 3.31% compared with the same month of 2020 and by 14,734 beneficiaries or 0.93% compared with the end of September 2019.

The number of pension insurance beneficiaries is an indicator of employment. According to the HZMO, the largest number of pension insurance beneficiaries at the end of September 2021 was recorded in the manufacturing industry (246,072) and the wholesale and retail sector (242,570).