Did you know that the average net salary in Montenegro in May 2024 was about 1,010 euros? According to MONSTAT data, that’s 0.5% higher than in April and a whopping 21.9% higher than in May last year. Sounds like great news, right? Well, not exactly. When you factor in that consumer prices rose by 0.6% in May, the real salary actually fell by 0.1%. So, even though officially we’re earning more, our purchasing power is shrinking. Bravo, economy!
Salary growth isn’t equal across the board. The biggest jump was in agriculture, forestry, and fishing at 3.1%, while some sectors like real estate business and financial services saw salary drops of 6.7% and 1.4%. Education and electricity supply also saw slight decreases. So while some are enjoying raises, others are struggling with pay cuts.
To make matters worse, nurses’ and technicians’ salaries are 10% lower than in other countries, sparking protests planned for July 3rd. That’s how much healthcare workers are valued!
Meanwhile, the union consumer basket for the second quarter stands at 2,010 euros, meaning the average salary of 1,010 euros is nowhere near enough for the average worker’s needs. And let’s not forget fuel prices went up today, adding more pressure on household budgets.
All in all, Montenegro boasts about rising wages, but the reality is citizens feel more and more squeezed. Is this economic success or just another trick to mask the real situation? Got thoughts? Share them — maybe together we’ll uncover what’s really going on with our money!
