Although the government talks about economic successes, data from the Republic Institute of Statistics show that almost a quarter of Serbian citizens still live at risk of poverty. Economist Milan Kovačević points out for "Vreme" that this figure is large, but also that it is very difficult to reduce it
Although the government has been talking about economic success and rising living standards for years, the data Republic Institute for Statistics (RZS) show a different picture. The rate of risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024 was 24,3 percent, which means that almost a quarter of Serbian citizens are at risk of poverty.
Economist Milan Kovačević points out for "Vreme" that this figure is high and that it is very difficult to reduce it.
"This figure is nothing new - it has been hovering around 20 percent for years, and that is really a lot. Such a degree of risk from of poverty it can hardly be reduced if the state spends money lightly. If part of the funds remained in the budget, it would be easier to solve this problem," says Kovačević.
According to RZS data, the poverty risk threshold was 35.606 dinars per month for a one-member household, 64.091 dinars for a household with two adults and one 14-year-old child, or 74.773 dinars for a household with two adults and two children of the same age.
The greatest risk of poverty is recorded among unemployed persons and single-parent families, while the least vulnerable are employees and pensioners.
Data show that 19,7 percent of people living alone have incomes below the poverty risk threshold, while in households with two adults and three or more children, that percentage rises to 32,4 percent.
"The fact that certain people, especially the rich, are given various 'gifts' - either through privileges or the right to use land - also has a huge impact on such a high figure. If this was balanced, together with a more rational budget, the figure would certainly be lower," adds Kovačević.
Although official data show that compared to 2023, the poverty risk rate has slightly decreased - by 0,2 percent, poverty still affects a significant part of the population.
The highest rate of risk of poverty was recorded in the south and east of the country - 27,7 percent, followed by Šumadija and western Serbia with 23 percent, while Vojvodina records 21 percent.
"As for the south of Serbia, the numbers can be misleading on both sides. There are many factors that influence them - some prices in the south are known to be lower than in the north. The cost of living in larger cities is higher, so this can distort the true picture of these statistics," Kovačević explains.
11,6 percent of citizens are at permanent risk of poverty, which means that these people were at risk for at least two of the previous three years.
According to the RZS, citizens aged 18 to 64 had the lowest rate of risk of poverty - 17,9 percent.
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