The aim of this thesis was to present, analyze and explain the economic characteristics of Croatian health care through goals and specific characteristics, to show the way of financing the health care system, and to analyze the problems and challenges faced by the Croatian health care system. The healthcare system in Croatia is based on universal healthcare and financing through public healthcare. The system is organized so that all citizens have the right to health care, regardless of social and economic status. We can say that the contribution of the health sector to the economy of Croatia is significant, and its importance for national policy can be seen from the attention that people pay to the economic problems they face in health demand and health preservation. Croatia has a system of mandatory social health insurance and almost complete coverage of the population. Due to limited resources and constant growth in expenditures, modern healthcare systems are constantly faced with numerous challenges such as long-term and growing costs, high expectations for healthcare, aging of the population, increase in chronic diseases, development of technological innovations and numerous other challenges that are gaining momentum. Given these difficulties, the need for reforms and improvements is obvious in order to ensure a sustainable and quality health care system for all citizens.