Serbia sees employment decline amid record CEFTA trade surplus

In the second quarter of 2026 Serbia's total employment fell to 2,355,940, a 0.6% drop from the same period a year earlier. The sharpest decline was in agriculture, where the number of registered individual farmers fell by 7.8%. Regional analysis shows the greatest losses in the south and east, while Vojvodina recorded a decrease of 7,121 jobs, leaving almost one‑quarter of the country's workforce there. Belgrade was the only region with a gain, adding 4,509 workers.

For the first six months of the year Serbia posted a trade surplus of more than €1.5 billion with CEFTA member states. Exports to the bloc reached €2.37 billion against imports of €782 million, giving a coverage ratio of 303%. The surplus was driven mainly by exports of cereals and related products, beverages, road vehicles, medical and pharmaceutical goods, and electrical machinery. CEFTA includes Serbia, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Moldova and Kosovo. Analysts note that while the surplus continues a positive trend, non‑tariff barriers still affect trade efficiency.