Tourism is one of the most important economic activities and sources of employment in the County. During 2003, 2 436 799 tourists visited Istria of which 2 340 310 were foreigners, accounting for 27.45% of the total tourist visits to Croatia. In the same year, 6 213 986 overnight stays were recorded, of which 16 018 484 were those of foreign tourists and accounting for 34.77% of all overnight stays in Croatia.

Agriculture provided employment for 1993 people in Istria in 2003. In that same year, the total number of farms in the agriculture industry was 13 534, largely made up of family farms whose primary economic activity is agriculture.

The Istrian economy is very diverse. Traditionally, Istria is the most frequented tourist region in Croatia, and to this effect 27% of all visits and 35% of all overnight stays in Croatia during 2003 were in Istria. It has developed manufacturing, construction, commerce, sea fishing and fish farming, agriculture and transport industries.

The Istrian County encompasses an area of 3476 square kilometres and is divided into 10 cities and 29 townships. It has a population of 206 344 people, with an average population density of 73 inhabitants per square kilometre.