Montenegro consumer basket rises to 2,170 euros

The trade union consumer basket for a four-member family in Montenegro has reached 2,170 euros, representing an 8.5 percent increase of 170 euros compared to the same quarter two years ago. Research by the Center for Education, Information and Trade Union Research (CEISI) shows a 2.84 percent increase from the previous quarter.

Key drivers of the recent rise include a 5.88 percent increase in housing and utility costs, largely due to higher electricity bills during the summer cooling season, and a 28.57 percent spike in education and culture costs, driven by the price of high school textbooks and supplies. Household maintenance costs also rose by 4.35 percent.

Marko Subotić, economic policy advisor for the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro, warned that proposed income increases through the ‘Euro model’ could potentially stimulate inflation. He noted that pensioners remain particularly vulnerable, as they are not covered by the proposed income increases, aside from a one-time 100 euro assistance payment scheduled by the end of the year.