Centre for the Politics of Emancipation: The living wage in Serbia is RSD 144,457

The salary that covers the basic social and existential needs of workers and their families in Serbia amounts to RSD 144,457, according to the latest calculations by the Centre for the Politics of Emancipation.

The center's press release states that the amount of the living wage was calculated based on data from the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) network from 2021, and was increased by an average annual inflation rate of 11.9% in 2022 and 12.5% ​​in 2023.

- If we were to separately calculate the growth rate of food prices, which was far higher than the average annual inflation, this amount would be even higher. The average contracted net salary in 2023 was RSD 86,000 dinars and covered only 60% of the living wage - the announcement states.

The latest data, it is added, show that the average salary in May of this year was RSD 100,170.

- Therefore, the average salary still did not reach the living wage level. What then can be said about the minimum wage, which this year averages RSD 47,000 and covers only a third of the living wage? -the Center asked in its announcement and added:

- Despite the fact that the living wage is recognized in many international documents, such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Social Charter, but also the fact that the Labor Law explicitly states that the minimum wage must meet the basic social and existential needs of employees and their families, male and female workers in Serbia still live in poverty.

The living wage declaration, signed by four trade union headquarters, over 20 organizations and over 2,000 individuals, can be found on the website platazazivot.rs.

Centar za politike emancipacije

Centre for the Politics of Emancipation

Living Wage in Serbia

Clean Clothes Campaign

Average Salary

Minimum Salary

Declaration on Living Wage