Since the endogenous growth model appeared in the economic theory, taxation has been considered as one of the key determinants of the economic growth. In the public finance theory, taxation is considered to have a negative impact on economic growth, which is explained by implications of tax revenues distortions on the economic activity. This assumption has been investigated by many empirical studies. The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of personal income taxation on economic conditions in Croatia in the long-run. After providing a brief insight into the economic and the public finance theory regarding taxation and economic growth, previous relevant research is presented. The empirical analysis of the impact of personal income taxation on economic conditions in Croatia is conducted using the Johansen cointegration approach. The existence of cointegration is examined and the error correction model is estimated using monthly data from January 2000 to March 2016. The results of the research show that personal income taxation in Croatia has a significant negative impact on the economic growth in the long-run, which is in line with the economic theory and relevant empirical research.

Abstract.The relationship between financial literacy and financial behavior is important, as individuals are increasingly being asked to take responsibility for their financial wellbeing, especially their retirement. Analyzing of individual savings and attitudes towards retirement planning is important, as these types of investments are a way of preserving security during years of financial vulnerability. Research indicates that individuals who do not save adequately for their retirement, generally have a relatively low level of financial literacy. This research investigates the relationship between financial literacy and retirement planning in Croatia. To analyze the relationship between financial literacy and planning for retirement, maximum likelihood logistic regression analysis was used. The paper shows that those who answer financial literacy questions correctly are more likely to have a positive attitude towards retirement planning and are more likely to save for retirement, ensuring them of higher levels of financial security in retirement. The Goodness-of-Fit evaluation for the estimated logit model was performed using the Andrews and HosmerLemeshow Tests.

The aim of this paper is threefold. First, to detect and categorize Croatian financial consumers' financial literacy and analyze whether the different levels of financial literacy is statistically significant in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. The second objective is determining whether a respondent's debt behavior differs based on their financial literacy. Further, the paper aims to examine sources of different debt behavior in relation to financial literacy. Cluster analysis is used to categorize financial literacy and determine whether a respondent's financial literacy differs due to gender and level of disposable income. Here, the nonparametric chi-square test is applied. The effects of financial literacy on debt behavior are investigated using a rank-based nonparametric test, specifically the Kruskal Wallis H test. Finally, the paper will examine the source of differences in debt behavior based on different levels of financial literacy, and a post hoc analysis using Dunnett's C test will be conducted. The results suggest that respondents exhibit different debt behavior due to different levels of financial literacy. In addition, the level of disposable household income per household member was found to be statistically insignificant with respect to different levels of financial literacy, while such levels were found to be statistically significantly different when compared to a respondent's gender.

The impact of exchange rate changes in small open economies has been a widely researched topic for decades. According to economic theory and relevant research, depreciation can have a positive impact on the economy through an increase in exports, and a negative effect through decrease in an individual consumption. The aim of this article is to assess the impact of exchange rate depreciation on external debt in Croatia in the long-run. The long-run impact of depreciation on external debt in Croatia is assessed using Johansen cointegration approach. The results point to the existence of one cointegration relation. The long-run impact of exchange rate depreciation on external debt in Croatia is statistically significant and positive, what is in line with previous research and economic theory. The conducted analysis outlines the possible negative impact of depreciation on Croatian economy through the increase of external indebtedness, what could consequently decrease the wealth of all sectors indebted in foreign currency. Since Croatia is a highly euroised small open economy with high external indebtedness in foreign currency, this research provides captivating results for monetary and fiscal policy-making in Croatia. Therefore, as a result of the conducted empirical analysis, the exchange rate depreciation in Croatia is not recommended as the instrument of increasing export competitiveness due to current high external indebtedness in foreign currency.

Background: A large body of empirical literature indicates that gender and financial literacy are significant determinants of individual financial performance. Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to recognize the impact of the variable financial literacy and the variable gender on the variation of the financial performance using the regression analysis. Methods/Approach: The survey was conducted using the systematically chosen random sample of Croatian financial consumers. The cross section linear regression model is estimated in order to assess how gender as a dummy variable and financial literacy as an ordinal categorical variable impact financial performance. Results: The results indicate that the average value of financial performance for men is higher than the average value of financial performance for women at the same financial literacy level. Furthermore, a higher level of financially literacy is related to a higher level of financial performance. Conclusions: Both gender and financial literacy have a statistically significant impact on individual financial performance. Increasing financial literacy and understanding gender differences in terms of financial literacy and financial well-being should be of interest to financial educators in their struggles to improve financial situation of citizens and for educators to create financial education programs intended for men and women.