This thesis deals with the development of the social welfare system in Croatia. At the beginning, the social welfare system of the Republic of Croatia is described, and its institutions, beneficiaries and ways of financing the system are listed. The second part deals with the development and reforms that have taken place since the end of the Second World War, through Croatia in Yugoslavia and the time of the Homeland War until today. The paper takes into account the problems of each of the aforementioned periods, such as the political and economic crisis in Yugoslavia or the post-war period after the Second World War and the Homeland War, and the problems arising from this for the welfare system. Therefore, the paper monitors the reforms being undertaken to address the problems of social rights and social security of citizens. Changes in the legal framework over the years are outlined and changes in the number of beneficiaries, rights and services in the welfare system are presented. It pays the most attention to the recent history of social welfare of the Republic of Croatia, when for the first time the country was able to develop the system independently and on its own. Finally, thesis mentions the current problems and shortcomings of the welfare system and outlines possible changes that could occur in the welfare system of the Republic of Croatia.