Minimum wages in the former Yugoslavia: Where Bosnia stands in 2025

Beginning in October 2025, Serbia’s minimum wage is set to rise to €500, following a decision by the country’s Social and Economic Council. The Serbian government’s goal is to increase this amount to €650 by early 2028 gradually. Still, even with this projected growth, Serbia would remain behind several former Yugoslav republics where the minimum wage is already significantly higher.

In Croatia, the gross minimum wage has reached €970 as of January 2025, up €130 from 2024, marking a 15.48% increase. This equates to a net minimum wage of just over €750. The country’s average net salary currently ranges between €1,390 and €1,450, depending on employment type.

Slovenia remains the regional leader. As of January 2025, the gross minimum wage is €1,278, representing a 1.9% increase from the previous year. The minimum net salary stands between €900 and €930. In May, the country reported an average net salary of €1,592.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the minimum wage differs by entity. In the Federation of BiH, it stands at 1,000 Bosnian marks (approximately €511), while in Republika Srpska it is around €460. The average net salary across BiH in April was 1,545 marks (approximately €790).

Montenegro offers a net minimum wage of €450, but distinguishes itself with the lowest combined tax and contribution rates in the region. For a net salary of €1,000, the gross amount paid by employers is around €1,200. The country’s net average wage reached €1,062 in May.

Meanwhile, North Macedonia has the lowest minimum wage among all former Yugoslav countries at €370. Nevertheless, its average net wage in April climbed to approximately €740, up 10.6% compared to the same period last year.