growth model

Serbia’s Labour Market Strain Intensifies as Workforce Shortages Emerge Despite High Unemployment

Serbia recorded 2.84 million employed people and 276,300 unemployed people in the first quarter of 2026, according to official labour market data. The employment rate stood at 50.7%, while youth unemployment reached 23.1%. The share of people outside the labour force was 44.3%. Compared with the same period in 2025, both employment and unemployment declined, while the number of individuals outside the labour force increased. The data points to a labour market characterized by reduced participation and a shrinking pool…