economic performance

Serbia’s first-quarter growth accelerates on consumer and trade activity

Serbia’s economy entered 2026 with stronger-than-expected performance, according to first-quarter data from the Statistical Office. Household consumption, retail activity and service-sector expansion offset weakness in construction and parts of industry. The figures also point to domestic demand as the main driver of growth amid a more uncertain European economic environment. Real GDP rose 3.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, up from 2.2% growth in the final quarter of 2025. On a seasonally adjusted basis, economic activity increased by…