Analysis of Serbia's social structure: Who belongs to the middle class and how much do they earn?

An analysis of Serbia's social structure by Zoran Stojiljković for Demostat indicates that the middle class comprises approximately 25-30% of the population. This segment is defined by incomes exceeding the national average, specifically those earning up to a third above the average, or over 150,000 dinars monthly.

When viewed through a family lens, a typical three-person household in Serbia needs to earn over 2,000 euros per month to be considered part of the middle class. Stojiljković notes that this income level is relatively attainable for many young, educated families.

The study further categorizes Serbia's socioclass structure as resembling an equilateral rhombus. At the apex are a narrow ruling elite (1-2%) and the aforementioned middle class. Below them are the working classes, earning between 70% of the median and the average wage, making up roughly half the population. The base of the rhombus consists of the poorest fifth of the population, with 7-8% experiencing absolute poverty.

The analysis also touches upon the upper echelons, suggesting that the top 1% of households, approximately 25,000, remain under-researched but are increasingly defined by assets exceeding one million euros per family member. Within the broader middle class, about 10% are identified as the upper-middle class, closely associated with the ruling elite, possessing diversified incomes, continuous education, and significant social and political capital.

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socioklasna struktura u Srbiji ima oblik jednakostraničnog romba na čijem vrhu su uski vladajući sloj (1-2%) i srednje klase (25-30%), slede radni slojevi (od 70% medijalne do prosečne zarade), koji čine približnu polovinu, a na dnu je petina siromašnih od kojih je njih 7-8 % u granicama apsolutog siromaštva.