Pensions have increased by 12,2 percent in Serbia since December 1, and the interlocutors of "Vremen", although they agree that this increase will bring benefits to pensioners, still have a different view of the urges that power decided to take such a step.
The average pension for October 2025 was 50.686 dinars and this is the data published by the Republic Institute for Pension and Disability Insurance on November 24.
This means that the average pension this year is 47,3 percent of the average plate, which is an increase compared to the year 2024, when the average pension reached about 47 percent of the average salary, or to the year 2023, when the average pension was about 44,5 percent of the average salary.
However, the ratio of average salaries and pensions in 2015 was 52,2 percent, and in 2014 the average pension was as much as 54,08 percent of the average salary, but it was reduced as part of "savings measures".
There is no official data on the media pension, but Miloš Grabundžija from Union pensioner "Nezavisnost" told "Vreme" two months ago that 450.000 pensioners in Serbia have a pension of less than 25.000 dinars, and that one million pensioners have a pension less than the average.
The latest data show that the average consumer basket is 98,165 dinars, but also that the average monthly household income is 95.050 dinars, without data on how much pensioners participate in that income.
Relief for pensioners
Economic consultant Bogdan Petrović tells "Vreme" that the 12,2 percent increase in pensions means that this growth is higher than the increase in the cost of living.
"It will certainly bring some improvements if we take into account that inflation fell below four percent due to Government's artificial reduction of prices and Regulation on Margins. When that regulation ceases to be valid at the end of February, and it will not be extended, because it is an agreement with International Monetary Fund, we can expect inflation to return to the level of four to 4,5 percent. The increase of 12,2 percent is in any case a relief for pensioners," says Petrović.
Given that the increase in pensions was announced last spring, he emphasizes that it should be interpreted as a desire to suppress protests citizens.
"The two measures that were adopted went completely beyond the real economic parameters: the first is the increase of the minimum wage by 20,5 percent, which is absolutely inadequate in the conditions when the economic growth is barely two percent, and the second is this increase of pensions of 12,2 percent," says Petrović.
Degradation of the public sector
He also states that, since the budget is limited, "the price had to be paid somewhere".
"The price was paid by the fact that the salary increase in the public sector was only 5,1 percent, which means that pensions are growing more than in public sector, and the public sector is 15 percent behind the minimum wage, which completely degrades the public administration and all employees with higher and secondary education," warns Petrović.
He reminds that there are about 1,7 million pensioners in Serbia and less than half a million people in the public sector.
"If you can vote, you vote where there is a larger and safer electorate. It is clear that it is the largest number." Vučić's of voters belongs to the category of pensioners, and there are 3,5 times more of them than people in the public sector," says Petrović.
Emphasis on improving the standard of living of pensioners
Professor of the Faculty of Economics in Belgrade Ljubodrag Savić tells "Vreme" that Serbia "placed emphasis on improving the standard of living of all categories of the population, especially pensioners".
"I don't think anyone can be against increasing pensions. It's a matter of reality how much the state finances can support it. I have no doubt that the Minister of Finance Sinish Mali he knows the situation well and has a good insight into the financial possibilities of the state. If they decided to increase pensions by 12,2 percent, it means that there is room in the budget for that increase," says Savić.
He states that more serious salary and pension increases usually come before some elections.
"This time, as far as I know, there are no elections, and as far as I understand the elections will only be held at the end of next year. In this sense, the increase in pensions is a realistic assessment, that the standard of a fairly large number of pensioners is at the limit of endurance, by which I mean agricultural pensions, which are actually social pensions, and which practically cannot be used to live on, but are good for people. The increase in pensions mostly and primarily refers to the not so small number of people who have pensions from employment, but they are significantly below the average pension," says Savić.
Pensioners are the most disciplined
He notes that these are mostly elderly people, and that it is not such a big problem if two such people in the household receive a pension.
"The problem is when there is only one spouse left, and if there are no other sources of income, it is difficult to meet obligations. Moreover, our oldest fellow citizens are the most disciplined of all categories of the population. I have often heard from them that they first pay for utility services and what has to be paid, and then try to somehow stretch what is left over until the end of the month. As far as I'm concerned, the increase in pensions is good news for these people and the state's domestic attitude to improve their standard," says Savić.
He concludes that, for him, the increase in pensions is an expected and good move by the Government of Serbia, to ensure, in accordance with the state's financial capabilities, an improvement in the standard of living.
