Montenegro: cost of living

Is Montenegro expensive compared with the EU?

Prices for consumer goods and services in Montenegro were 66% of the EU average in 2025, according to Eurostat data published by the Statistical Office of Montenegro (Monstat). Among neighbours, Croatia was at 78%, Albania 73%, Serbia 68%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 59% and North Macedonia 55%.

In the EU, Denmark had the highest price level (140%) and Bulgaria the lowest (63%). Price levels compare prices only, not incomes, so a lower price level does not by itself mean living costs are easier to meet.

Official sources: Monstat: comparative price levels 2025

What do households in Montenegro spend their money on?

Food and non-alcoholic drinks took 30.2% of household consumption in Montenegro in 2025, according to the Household Budget Survey from the Statistical Office of Montenegro (Monstat). Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels took 15.5%, transport 12.4% and clothing and footwear 10.9%.

Health accounted for 4.9%, restaurants and hotels 3.5% and education 1.6%. The survey interviewed 1,438 households across the year. The shares are averages across all households.

Official sources: Monstat: Household Budget Survey 2025

What is the poverty rate in Montenegro?

20.9% of people in Montenegro were at risk of poverty in 2025, up 0.9 percentage points from 2024, according to the Survey on Income and Living Conditions from the Statistical Office of Montenegro (Monstat). The threshold for a single person was EUR 4,868 a year, up 22.5% from EUR 3,973; for two adults and two children under 14 it was EUR 10,222.

The measure is relative: the threshold is set at a share of median income, so it rises with incomes. The broader at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate fell to 28.3% from 29.2%. Income data refer to 2024, and the 2025 figures are preliminary until Eurostat validates them.

Official sources: Monstat: Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2025

What is Montenegro's inflation rate?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 3.9%. Its high point since 2006 was 2022, at 13.0%; its low point was 2014, at -0.7%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7%, and Montenegro placed 18th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 54th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Montenegro?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $8,585. No year since 2006 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $11,266, and Montenegro placed 32nd highest of 44. Worldwide: 44th of 124.

What share of people in Montenegro live in extreme poverty?

The World Bank puts the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Montenegro at 2.5% in 2021. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.0% (2009) to 5.6% (2012). Europe & Central Asia median: 0.3%; Montenegro is 5th highest of 40. Of 80 countries with 2021 data, 28th highest.

What share of Montenegro lives below the poverty line?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in Montenegro was 20.0% in 2023. The peak was 25.2% in 2012 and the low 4.9% in 2008. It is 6th highest of 16 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 19.1%. Of 39 countries with 2023 data, 21st highest.

How unequal are incomes in Montenegro?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2021, is 34.3. Since 2005 it has ranged from 28.9 (2010) to 41.2 (2012). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 31.6, and Montenegro placed 7th highest of 40. Of 80 countries with 2021 data, 38th highest.

What is food insecurity in Montenegro?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Montenegro was 9.0%, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2015. It is 18th highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.6%. World rank, highest first: 100th of 135.