Understanding Serbian youth discontent through the lens of the labour market

Since November 2024, Serbia has seen major countrywide protests driven by frustration with corruption and a lack of institutional transparency (Box 1). These protests have indirectly highlighted deep structural issues in the Serbian labour market, and especially the challenges faced by young people trying to enter the workforce. 

The protests indicate significant discontent among young Serbians, with students stating that the protests will continue until Serbia adopts a system “that values knowledge and work, not obedience and silence”¹. 

Box 1: Student-led protests in Serbia

Growing dissatisfaction among young people regarding domestic institutions and work prospects, in the context of 41 percent of Serbs expressing a desire to live and work abroad⁸, means the window of opportunity for change is narrowing. If action isn't taken, Serbia risks losing a generation of young people. 

In the Western Balkans, youth labour trends are influenced by historic labour market hurdles specific to the region, such as high and structural unemployment, a lack of local job opportunities and the ensuing high emigration of highly qualified workers. These issues have long-term implications for countries’ growth prospects.

To better understand the link between youth discontent and Serbian labour market issues we highlight some data on characteristics of the youth labour market and compare these labour-market trends to those of three EU countries neighbouring Serbia (Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania) and to EU countries that are popular destinations for Serbian emigrants (Austria and Germany)⁹. We rely on Labour Force Surveys (LFS) data from the Statistical Office of Serbia and data from Eurostat (for EU countries).

Understanding youth (un)employment challenges 

In 2023, the unemployment rate in Serbia was 9.4 percent, higher than in Croatia (5.8 percent), Romania (5.2 percent) or Bulgaria (4.2 percent) (Figure 1). This was mainly driven by high youth unemployment rates. Among those in Serbia aged 20-29, 18.3 percent were unemployed. Older age groups face lower than average unemployment rates. 

In favoured Serbian migration destinations such as Germany and Austria, youth unemployment is about 1.5 and 2.6 percentage points respectively above the average rate for the working age population. In Serbia, however, it is 8.9 percentage points higher. Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia also have better outlooks than Serbia, with unemployment rates among those aged 20-29 between 3.1 (Bulgaria) and 7.1 (Romania) percentage points above the average rates.

Figure 1: Unemployment rates, 2023 

^{Source: Bruegel, based on LFS and Eurostat.} 

Furthermore, young Serbians, like the rest of the population, face high long-term unemployment: over 30 percent of those unemployed are jobless for over a year. The figure does not improve much with education: among the highly educated aged 20-29, 22.4 percent of those unemployed are long-term unemployed.

In the 25-29 age group, 30.8 percent are university educated, while among those over 55 only 18 percent are. Despite higher education levels, the youth unemployment rate is significantly higher than the unemployment rate for older generations. This is a potential source of frustration for young people.

Untapped potential among those outside the labour market 

About 19 percent of those aged between 20 and 29 are currently not employed, but also not in education or training (NEET). The proportion of NEETs ranges from 14.4 percent in Croatia to 24.3 percent in Romania, suggesting this is a common issue in the region. There is a noteworthy gender gap in the number of NEETs in the 25-29 group, with the number of women 8.3 percentage points higher (Figure 2). 

Figure 2: NEET rates by gender, Serbia, 2023

^{Source: Bruegel, based on LFS.}

Of those under 30 who are considered economically inactive, 13 percent would like to work but are not looking for a job. Close to a third of respondents stated that this was because they are in education or training. This may seem contradictory at first, but it's important to note that a student who is not working and not seeking employment is considered economically inactive. Thus, their response likely reflects time constraints or prioritisation of their studies over job search. 

More interestingly, 23 percent stated that they think there are no suitable jobs available or that they are discouraged (Figure 3). While this is a subjective statement, these feelings of frustration with the labour market could also reflect the lack of trust in fair labour market outcomes and rewards for skills and education. A lack of work opportunities and low salaries could also aggravate frustration. Average net earnings in Serbia, though rising, are still low, at around €900/month¹⁰.

Figure 3: Reasons for not seeking employment among the inactive wanting to work, 20-29

^{Source: Bruegel, based on LFS. Note: the ‘discouraged’ are those that answered they don’t believe a suitable job is available.} 

Young people in Serbia and unstable contracts

Student protests and trade union demands in Serbia have converged around shared concerns. On Labour Day, 1 May 2025, students and workers protested in Belgrade for better working conditions, including for those working under temporary contracts, which according to protesters, are not properly recognised under labour law in Serbia¹¹.

Serbian Labour Force Survey data reveals that 15.4 percent of the overall working age population are in temporary employment arrangements, with younger people disproportionately affected. Although this can be partly explained by the fact that many in this group are still in education, 36 percent of young individuals are employed under such contracts.

Figure 4: Share of temporary workers by age group, selected countries, 2023

^{Source: Bruegel, based on LFS and Eurostat. Note: temporary jobs are those that are categorised by LFS as seasonal, limited and temporary.}

The data indicates that this is not a choice. The main reason that those in temporary employment are under these contracts because they cannot find permanent roles (Figure 5). 

Figure 5: Reason for having temporary job by level of highest education attained in Serbia, aged 20-29, 2023

^{Source: Bruegel based on LFS.}

A substantial share of young Serbians is actively seeking better employment opportunities – 9.2 percent of those aged 20 to 29 are looking for a new job despite already being employed, which is 3.7 percentage points higher than the average among the broader working-age population. Notably, this trend spans across educational backgrounds: 14 percent of highly educated young individuals and those who have completed only primary education are seeking alternative employment. 

Furthermore, education does not guarantee a more stable entry into the labour market in Serbia. Among those aged 20-29 who are university educated and employed, 41 percent have a temporary job (Figure 6). 

Figure 6: Temporary workers by level of highest education attained in Serbia, aged 20-29, 2023

^{Source: Bruegel based on LFS.}

Conclusion

The youth-led protests in Serbia reflect a broad demand for systemic change. Young Serbs are facing difficulties that point to deep structural barriers in accessing stable and rewarding employment. Their demands for stronger democracy and functional, independent institutions have been joined by calls for fair labour market outcomes, particularly as of 1 May 2025. The EU has criticised Serbia for falling short of institutional and democratic standards. As young Serbians arrive in Brussels to highlight the changes they want to see in Serbia, the EU should show stronger support for their demands.

We thank David Pinkus for valuable comments and Anna Fiore for her insights.