Growth of salaries and pensions not keeping pace with increase in cost of living in Serbia – Household expenses still higher than income

The average monthly income in cash and in kind per household in Serbia last year amounted to 97,705 dinars, and personal consumption expenses were 98,165 dinars, according to a publication by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia.

Compared to 2023, the average monthly income in cash and in kind increased by 11.1% and household personal consumption expenses by 11.2% nominally.

The largest share of income in cash and in kind was income from regular employment 53.4%, followed by pensions 30.6%, income from agriculture, hunting and fishing 3.9%, in-kind consumption 2.6%, income outside regular employment 2.3%, social security benefits 2.3%, and 4.9% was income from other sources.

When it comes to personal household consumption, the largest share was spent on food and non-alcoholic beverages (36.6%) and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (16.3%). This was followed by transport (8.9%), other personal items and other services (5.9%), communications (5.4%), recreation and culture (5.2%), clothing and footwear (4.7%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.4%), health (4.1%), and 8.5% was spent on other personal consumption groups.

Republički zavod za statistiku Beograd

Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia

household income

household expenditures