Serbia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Serbia?

Serbia's unemployment rate was 7.2% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS) labour force survey. That is 1.3 percentage points lower than a year earlier and 1.7 points lower than in the first quarter. There were 2,840,100 people in work and 220,200 unemployed. The employment rate was 50.9%.

The survey uses the international definition: people without work who are actively looking and available to start. It does not count people registered with the employment service. The employment rate is the share of people aged 15 and over who are in work.

Official sources: RZS: labour force survey, Q2 2026

What is the average salary in Serbia?

The average net salary in Serbia was RSD 121,346 in July 2026, and the average gross salary RSD 167,402, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). The median net salary was RSD 95,036. Net pay was 11.3% higher than a year earlier in nominal terms and 9.2% higher in real terms.

Net pay is what employees receive after tax and social contributions. The median is the middle value: half of employees earn less and half more. It is lower than the average because a smaller number of high earners raise the average. Real growth takes inflation into account.

Official sources: RZS: average salaries, July 2026

What is the average pension in Serbia?

The average pension in Serbia for August 2026 was 56,813 dinars, according to the Republic Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (PIO), which published the figure on 24 September 2026.

The average covers all pensions paid by the fund, including old-age, disability and survivors' pensions, so it mixes very different payments. The PIO fund publishes the figure each month on its homepage, in Serbian. For comparison, the RZS put the average net salary at RSD 121,346 in July 2026.

Official sources: PIO fund homepage · RZS: average salaries, July 2026

How many people in Serbia work informally?

The informal employment rate in Serbia was 11.0% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS) labour force survey. In the same quarter, 2,516,800 people aged 15 and over were outside the labour force, an inactivity rate of 45.1%.

Informal employment covers people working without a formal contract or without paid social contributions, including unpaid family workers. Inactive people are neither working nor looking for work; they include pensioners, students and people caring for family. All figures come from the quarterly survey of households.

Official sources: RZS: labour force survey, Q2 2026

How much is the minimum wage in Serbia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2026, is 87,207 RSD a month. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in Serbia?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Serbia at $1,559 a month in 2025. No year since 2013 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $3,252 a month, and Serbia placed 27th highest of 32. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 29th highest.

How high is unemployment in Serbia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 7.1%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.5%, and Serbia placed 14th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 174.

How many young people in Serbia are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Serbia at 20.9% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 14.2%, and Serbia placed 13th highest of 47. Worldwide: 40th of 174.

What share of people in Serbia are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Serbia was 59.1% in 2025. The peak was 59.2% in 2024 and the low 49.7% in 2010. It is 28th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 60.3%. Worldwide: 107th of 174.

How many women in Serbia are working or looking for work?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Serbia at 52.6% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 54.6%, and Serbia placed 29th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 95th of 174.

How many people in Serbia are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Serbia was 54.9%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 56.6%; Serbia is 29th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 111th highest.

How many workers in Serbia are self-employed or family workers?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Serbia at 23.9% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 12th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. Worldwide: 105th of 174.

What share of workers in Serbia earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 73.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 73.0%; its low point was 2005, at 62.8%. It is 36th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 70th highest.