Growing Inequalities in Society Require Urgent Social Policy Reforms

CDF Press Release on the Occasion of the World Day of Social Justice

On the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, the Center for Democracy Foundation warns of the difficult position of vulnerable groups in Serbia, the high risks of poverty, and growing inequalities in society.

Nearly one fifth of Serbia’s citizens live at risk of poverty (19.7%), according to the latest available data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS), while the at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate stands at as much as 24.3% (in 2024).

Households in Serbia spend the largest share of their income on basic living needs, with more than one third (36.6%) of expenditures allocated to food, while housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel account for 16.3% (RZS data, p. 37). Rising prices, particularly of food products, disproportionately affect those with the lowest incomes.

In Serbia, a large number of citizens continue to work in insecure jobs, with low wages and in constant risk of poverty. This is evidenced by the fact that the median net salary in November 2025 amounted to only RSD 86,702, meaning that 50% of employees earned up to that amount, while the minimum wage, which according to estimates is received by more than half a million people, amounts to RSD 65,296 as of the beginning of 2026.

A large number of households in Serbia cannot afford to live in adequate housing conditions, and many citizens lack access to essential community-based social services, which clearly demonstrates the need for systemic reforms of social policy and the development of the social protection system.

The adoption of the Social Protection Strategy is delayed, and it remains uncertain when it will be adopted. The Center for Democracy advocates for the adoption of the Law on Social Protection and the Social Protection Strategy, as well as concrete measures to increase the coverage of social assistance.

Access to healthcare services, education equally available to all, the right to adequate housing, the fight against discrimination and the protection of equality must be a priority task for the state and society.

CDF advocates for the implementation of the European Union (EU) acquis in the field of social policy and employment in order to guarantee citizens of Serbia a life of dignity and to ensure that they fully and without limitation exercise their right to the highest standards of social protection.

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In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as the World Day of Social Justice, with the aim of encouraging the international community’s efforts toward eradicating poverty, promoting full employment and decent work, gender equality, and access to social well-being and justice for all.

Center for Democracy Foundation

Illustration: UN, archive