Photo: Dirk.heldmaier Derivative work by Globe-trotter · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Montenegro: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Montenegro is placed 124th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 50.1 (2025); Labour Income Share 51.37 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
124th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Montenegro on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
50.1
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Montenegro: 50.1. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Europe
- 62.13 Malta
- Land neighbours
- Albania 57.24 · Bosnia and Herzegovina 43.58 · Croatia 49.53 · Serbia 54.93
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
13.57
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Montenegro: 13.57. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Europe
- 2.896 Malta
- Land neighbours
- Albania 10.93 · Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.04 · Croatia 5.002 · Serbia 7.123
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
14.28
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Montenegro: 14.28. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Europe
- 6.346 Croatia
- Land neighbours
- Albania 46.03 · Bosnia and Herzegovina 18.11 · Croatia 6.346 · Serbia 23.89
02Over time
Which way Montenegro is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
MontenegroWorld median
Montenegro rose from 34.3 in 2000 to 50.1 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Montenegro World median 2025 50.10 57.720 2024 50.54 57.694 2023 50.87 58.158 2022 47.24 57.688 2021 40.14 56.066 2020 41.37 55.691 2019 46.30 57.871 2018 45.43 56.911 2017 44.17 56.738 2016 43.39 56.845 2015 43.18 56.788 2014 42.32 56.774 2013 39.74 56.229 2012 39.64 56.289 2011 38.73 56.297 2010 38.78 56.212 2009 39.04 56.255 2008 40.00 57.308 2007 38.85 56.933 2006 36.23 56.685 2005 33.68 56.129 2004 33.78 55.465 2003 33.93 55.630 2002 34.12 55.843 2001 34.17 56.018 2000 34.30 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
MontenegroWorld median
Montenegro rose from 46.49 in 2004 to 51.37 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Montenegro World median 2025 51.373 46.230 2024 51.374 46.060 2023 50.825 45.900 2022 49.418 45.615 2021 50.018 45.433 2020 56.845 47.267 2019 49.797 46.277 2018 50.759 46.187 2017 50.169 46.467 2016 49.482 46.798 2015 47.821 46.876 2014 46.962 47.281 2013 48.209 46.887 2012 50.855 46.231 2011 50.223 45.679 2010 50.070 46.024 2009 48.973 47.071 2008 45.009 45.312 2007 41.985 45.246 2006 45.878 45.670 2005 46.532 46.265 2004 46.492 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
MontenegroWorld median
Montenegro fell from 30.45 in 2000 to 13.57 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Montenegro World median 2025 13.57 5.08 2024 13.21 5.15 2023 13.15 5.21 2022 14.85 5.34 2021 16.54 6.04 2020 17.88 6.38 2019 15.13 5.36 2018 15.19 5.35 2017 16.08 5.59 2016 17.73 5.90 2015 17.56 6.41 2014 18.05 6.58 2013 19.59 6.71 2012 19.81 6.79 2011 19.76 6.90 2010 19.65 7.04 2009 19.09 6.67 2008 17.15 5.79 2007 19.40 6.00 2006 24.82 6.50 2005 30.31 7.09 2004 30.34 6.80 2003 30.39 6.95 2002 30.36 6.91 2001 30.54 6.96 2000 30.45 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
MontenegroWorld median
Montenegro fell from 15.6 in 2000 to 14.28 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Montenegro World median 2025 14.281 28.67 2024 14.693 29.04 2023 14.946 29.33 2022 15.693 29.67 2021 16.079 30.01 2020 18.049 30.54 2019 17.195 29.98 2018 18.267 30.15 2017 18.445 29.93 2016 17.951 29.91 2015 17.518 30.26 2014 15.801 30.47 2013 13.334 31.14 2012 13.531 31.00 2011 13.689 31.41 2010 13.565 32.37 2009 13.528 32.59 2008 13.733 31.76 2007 14.116 33.47 2006 14.428 34.27 2005 14.703 34.66 2004 14.890 35.51 2003 15.071 35.90 2002 15.254 35.96 2001 15.431 35.27 2000 15.603 35.67
03In context
Montenegro beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Montenegro and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Croatia | 41st | 49.53 | 62.91 | 5.002 | 6.346 |
 Serbia | 98th | 54.93 | 53.64 | 7.123 | 23.89 |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | =119th | 43.58 | 56.17 | 11.04 | 18.11 |
| Montenegro | 124th | 50.1 | 51.37 | 13.57 | 14.28 |
 Albania | =146th | 57.24 | 44.54 | 10.93 | 46.03 |
 Kosovo | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Montenegro in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Montenegro is ahead of the world, and behind
28 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median11
Statistics on which Montenegro does better than the middle country measured.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8648.1135.86▲ Improved since 2014
Montenegro: 48.11 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 8th of 86 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 023.30No earlier reading
Montenegro: 23.3 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.2914.885▲ Improved since 2015
Montenegro: 0.291 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6825.8316.68No earlier reading
Montenegro: 25.83 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 37th of 139 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74219,3156,742▲ Improved since 2015
Montenegro: 19,315 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 41st of 151 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.978.245.9No earlier reading
Montenegro: 78.2 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38470,23547,384No real change since 2015
Montenegro: 70,235 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 56th of 168 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.231.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Montenegro: 1.23 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1631.0822.16No real change since 2015
Montenegro: 31.08 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 69th of 182 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3114.2514.31▲ Improved since 2014
Montenegro: 14.25 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 51st of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23025,98625,230▲ Improved since 2010
Montenegro: 25,986 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 75th of 151 · derived.
Behind the world median8
Statistics on which Montenegro does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8144.3341.81No earlier reading
Montenegro: 44.33 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 82nd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3651.2553.36▲ Improved since 2015
Montenegro: 51.25 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 111th of 182 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0725.5632.07No earlier reading
Montenegro: 25.56 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6657.9761.66▲ Improved since 2015
Montenegro: 57.97 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 118th of 182 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5616.1912.56▲ Improved since 2014
Montenegro: 16.19 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 25th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1613.519.16No earlier reading
Montenegro: 13.5 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 124th of 179 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Montenegro: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8324.4412.83▲ Improved since 2015
Montenegro: 24.44 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 33rd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▲ Improved since 2015
Montenegro: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5177.5859.51No real change since 2015
Montenegro: 77.58 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 31st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8943.4338.89Moved since 2015
Montenegro: 43.43 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 34th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4529.7313.45Moved since 2014
Montenegro: 29.73 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,288657.95No real change since 2014
Montenegro: 1,288 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8818.2318.88Moved since 2015
Montenegro: 18.23 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 103rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0111.7615.01No earlier reading
Montenegro: 11.76 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 82nd of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8417.3631.84No real change since 2015
Montenegro: 17.36 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 128th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.384.19314.38Moved since 2015
Montenegro: 4.193 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 134th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Montenegro
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2022), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons and Low Pay Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Montenegro’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Montenegro’s 15th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Health & Wellbeing37th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge45th of 1983/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience45th of 1934/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital47th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 63rd of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 62nd of 1834/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation62nd of 1763/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality65th of 1593/3 keys
- Energy69th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties85th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security90th of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 95th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 101st of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology128th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour124th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability141st of 1863/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Montenegro can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keysHighest in Southern Europe
Slovenia18th4/4 keysThis page
Montenegro124th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Montenegro and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Montenegro on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Montenegro rank on work & labour?
Montenegro is placed 124th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Montenegro?
50.1 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Montenegro?
51.37 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Montenegro compare with Serbia on work & labour?
Serbia is placed 98th of 182, and Montenegro 124th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Serbia 54.93, Montenegro 50.1; Labour Income Share: Serbia 53.64, Montenegro 51.37; Unemployment Rate: Serbia 7.123, Montenegro 13.57; Vulnerable Employment: Serbia 23.89, Montenegro 14.28.
How have Montenegro’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 34.3 in 2000 to 50.1 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 46.49 in 2004 to 51.37 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 30.45 in 2000 to 13.57 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 15.6 in 2000 to 14.28 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Montenegro?
No current reading is published for Montenegro on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons and Low Pay Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 28 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Montenegro’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Montenegro (banner) — Dirk.heldmaier Derivative work by Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Montenegro: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/montenegro/work