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5 clusters · 18 sources · 47 days · First seen · Last updated

World Congress of Economics in Belgrade – Serbia's Growth

Overview

In mid‑June 2026 Serbia confirmed Belgrade as host of the XXI World Congress of Economists (22‑26 June). The five‑day event, organized by the International Economic Association and the Serbian Economists Union, gathered about 1,000 participants from over 80 countries, including Nobel laureates Esther Duflo, Jean Tirole and Eric Maskin, and senior Serbian officials such as Finance Minister Siniša Mali, National Bank Governor Jorgovanka Tabaković and President Aleksandar Vučić. The programme contrasted globalisation versus nationalism, multilateralism versus bilateralism and the future of work amid AI. During the congress Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mali launched his monograph *Stability and Sustainability* and announced that Serbia’s public debt stands at roughly 43.7 % of GDP, well below the Eurozone average, with €5 billion in cash reserves. He highlighted fiscal decentralisation, public‑sector restructuring and a case study of Belgrade’s reform that halved the city’s budget deficit. Other economists called for greater private investment, technology development, energy transition and accelerated EU integration. Mali later reiterated Serbia’s macro‑economic strength at a Brussels conference, reporting 3.2 % growth in Q1 2026, outpacing the eurozone’s 0.3 % and ranking fourth‑fastest in Europe.

In August 2026 Mali announced that the economy expanded 3.6 % in the second quarter, the fastest growth among European economies. Growth was broad‑based across services, industry, construction and agriculture. The state treasury held about 560 billion dinars and public debt remained near 44 % of GDP. The minimum wage was raised to 65,554 dinars (€551), covering the basic consumer basket, and prices of 99.6 % of reimbursed medicines were cut, financed with over €100 million in state funds. Mali expressed optimism for the coming months, citing expected Expo visitors, completion of large infrastructure projects and a target growth rate above 4 % in the next year.

Entities

Republic of Serbia · Ministry of Finance of Serbia · Siniša Mali · Government of Serbia

Timeline

  1. 14 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Serbia records 3.6% Q2 growth, claims fastest‑growing economy in Europe

    Serbia's Q2 GDP grew 3.6%, making it the fastest‑growing EU economy, says Finance Minister Siniša Mali. He cited diversified sector growth, a 560 bn‑dinar cash balance, public debt at 44% of GDP, a minimum wage

  2. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali declares Serbia the region’s fastest‑growing economy and already EU‑integrated

    Finance Minister Siniša Mali said Serbia is the Western Balkans’ largest, fastest‑growing economy, already integrated into EU supply chains, with low debt, falling unemployment and leading wages.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 11 sources
    Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali touts fiscal resilience at global economics congress

    Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali told the World Economics Congress that Serbia’s debt is 43.7% of GDP, reserves near €5 bn, and presented his new monograph on fiscal resilience and reforms.

  4. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Belgrade to Host XXI World Congress of Economists in June

    Belgrade will host the XXI World Congress of Economists (22‑26 June) at the Sava Centre, attracting ~1,000 delegates from 80+ countries, featuring Nobel laureates and Serbian officials.

  5. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    World Congress of Economists convenes in Belgrade

    The XXI World Congress of Economists gathers about 1,000 experts in Belgrade from June 22‑26, featuring Nobel laureates and leading scholars to discuss AI, trade, industrial policy and global economic issues.

Sources

6yka.com · analysis.actualno.com · biznis.kurir.rs · biznisvesti.mk · danas.rs · monitor.hr · nedeljnik.rs · nin.co.rs · nin.rs · nsuzivo.rs · opserver.mk · politika.rs · shumen.actualno.com · srbijadanas.com · studiob.rs · tportal.hr · vijesti.hrt.hr · zivim.gloria.hr