Croatian scientist Josip Pečarić (in some catalogs Josip E. Pečarić) was born in Boka Kotorska where he attended elementary and high school. He studied at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and completed his master’s degree in electrical engineering under the supervision of mathematics professor, Dobrilo Tošić, who inspired him to dedicate himself to mathematics.
He is married to Ankica Pečarić.
Pečarić is an expert in the theory of inequality. He is considered "...a great name in the theory of inequality". Pečarić is the editor-in-chief and founder of the international journal, Mathematical Inequalities and Applications. He is an editor for several international journals and publishing houses. In addition to his scientific work, he is known as a journalist. Pečarić has authored numerous newspaper articles and books dealing with journalistic and historical topics.
Pečarić was honored with the Annual State Award for Sciences (1997), and the Order of Danica Hrvatska (1999).