USSCG: A family of four needs 2.000 euros per month for a dignified life

To meet the minimum requirements for a dignified life for a family of four in Montenegro, 2.000 euros are necessary.

This was shown by a study by the Center for Education, Information and Trade Union Research, which operates within the Union of Free Trade Unions (USSCG), for the trade union consumer basket.

"The union consumer basket for the first quarter of 2025 (January, February and March) amounts to 2.000 euros, which represents an increase in costs of 1,52 percent, or 30 euros, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024," the USSCG announced.

According to the methodology, the union consumer basket (SPK) includes ten categories of costs, of which changes were recorded in two categories during the first quarter of 2025.

The cost of food products increased by 20 euros (3,36 percent) compared to the previous quarter, when they amounted to 595 euros, it was announced.

"This category records constant changes due to variations in the prices of basic foodstuffs in the previous period, as well as attempts by authorities to limit or mitigate these fluctuations through temporary measures."

Housing and utility costs increased by 10 euros (4,17 percent) compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, when they amounted to 240 euros per month.

The USSCG stated that the aforementioned change is the result of increased electricity consumption during the heating season, as well as an increase in the prices of water supply services.

"If we compare the SPK for the observed quarter of this year with the first quarter of 2024, we can conclude that in a period of one year, the SPK increased by 100 euros (or 5,26 percent)," the statement reads.