The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that women worldwide earn almost 20% less than their male colleagues. Despite making progress towards gender equality, analysts identify the gender wage gap in Serbia as an ongoing social and economic problem.

The wage gap that women in Serbia face reveals other challenges like occupational segregation and labor market barriers. Even so, the government is making efforts to tackle this disparity by implementing programs geared at ensuring equal economic opportunities for all citizens regardless of gender. 

Women in Serbia Earn Less Than Men 

Despite the progress made in gender equality in Serbia, women are still earning less than men. The World Bank statistics estimate that Serbia’s gender wage gap is around 8-11%, implying that women earn roughly 89-92 cents for each euro earned by men. The Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia reports that women are overrepresented in occupations with low salaries and those involving part-time employment. The gender wage gap in Serbia remains smaller than in many countries but continues to affect long-term economic equality.

Some of the causes of these disparities in pay between men and women include the fact that women tend to engage in lower-paying job industries such as education, healthcare and social work, whereas men engage in occupations associated with greater pay in areas including engineering and construction. Researchers have pointed out that wage discrimination includes disparity both in earnings and employment opportunities.

Employment Segregation Drives Income Inequality 

One major cause of Serbia’s wage gap is employment segregation. Women are disproportionately represented in fields like education, healthcare and social services, which have historically offered lower salaries than other jobs. Men, on the other hand, represent the majority in highly compensated fields like construction and engineering. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) asserts that occupational segregation, which places women in lower paid occupations than men, contributes to economic disparity. Occupation segregation restricts women’s opportunities for career development and further widens the wage gaps.

Women-dominated industries usually have lower pay and fewer prospects for advancement. Meanwhile, industries with the majority of males gain from more investment, improved pay plans and increased productivity recognition.

Both vertical – restricted promotion into leadership posts – and horizontal – working in various industries – segregation reinforce income disparity. Analysts report that addressing occupational segregation remains an important step in reducing the gender wage gap in Serbia.

Parenthood Significantly Impacts Women’s Earnings 

Parenthood influences women’s salaries in Serbia. According to UN Women-supported research, mothers commonly experience breaks in their careers after giving birth such as slower wage growth and fewer promotions.

Mothers are also more likely to work flexible or part–time jobs to balance caregiving responsibilities. In contrast, men’s earnings typically remain stable or even increase after becoming fathers, creating what researchers describe as a “motherhood penalty.”

Despite Serbia’s maternity leave laws, women often have long-term financial repercussions when they return to the workforce. Slower salary growth versus males can be caused by fewer working hours, missed promotions and workplace prejudice against mothers.

Government Policies Addressing the Wage Gap

Serbian authorities have employed different policies for eliminating gender disparities within the workforce. The Serbian Gender Equality Law (2021) ensures equal remuneration, eliminates workplace discrimination and encourages monitoring the gender distribution ratio among organizations.

Furthermore, the Government of Serbia collaborates with the European Union through its accession initiatives to enhance labor standards, increase women’s employment rates and prevent discrimination.

The Gender Equality Law in Serbia provides guidelines for corporations to ensure equal opportunity policies, along with strengthening protection against workplace discrimination. With the goal of increasing women’s participation in well-paid sectors, there is government funding for women’s digital entrepreneurship and employment incentives.

Government policy reports and analyses from the European Union link gender equality policies to improved economic productivity and long-term development outcomes.

Organizations Working to Close the Gender Wage Gap in Serbia

Several organizations in Serbia are actively engaged in minimizing gender inequality and encouraging women’s participation in the economy. The Gender Equality Coordination Body of the Government of Serbia prepares national strategies for equality and monitors the implementation of laws on gender equality. International partners also contribute to this effort through their economic programs and policy development.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development funds initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s access to financial resources, training programs and economic opportunities. For example, UN Women collaborates with Serbian agencies to promote women’s empowerment in business financing, training programs and economic opportunities are supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The United Nations Development Programme also assists national partners in formulating gender-sensitive policies and promoting labor market inclusion. These partnerships aim to increase job opportunities, raise awareness of economic disparities and remove structural barriers limiting women from workforce participation.  

Looking Ahead

International organizations and Serbian government agencies continue to bridge the gender wage gap. Having more women participate in the labor force increases productivity and helps the country grow economically, according to analysts at the World Bank. Closing the gender wage gap in Serbia remains essential for achieving long-term economic equality and sustainable development. 

– Avery Hoadley

Avery is based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash