While the government has increased the minimum wage and raised salaries in education and healthcare, prices for electricity and heating have also gone up across the country. For an average 60-square-meter apartment in Belgrade, heating bills could rise by around 600 dinars, while the new minimum wage amounts to 337 dinars per hour.
Experts note that the minimum wage increase of just over 9% barely surpasses the basic consumer basket, meaning that many citizens will find that the additional income largely offsets higher living costs rather than providing a real boost to their standard of living.
Pension increases are planned for December, and the average wage is expected to surpass €1,000. However, consumer advocates warn that these figures, while highlighted by authorities, do not fully reflect the pressures of rising everyday expenses, leaving many households struggling to balance budgets.
