Montenegro recorded approximately 23,620 registered unemployed people in September, as labour-market conditions remain a concern ahead of planned wage and employment reforms. The latest figures show a modest monthly increase, while the most recent comparable annual unemployment rate indicates an improvement from the previous year.
According to Employment Agency figures, registered unemployment rose by around 0.9% compared with August. However, the monthly increase contrasts with a decline in the comparable unemployment rate from 8.93% in August 2025 to 7.47% in August 2026, indicating that unemployment remains lower than a year earlier.
Employment Data Remain Incomplete
The Employment Agency reported approximately 17,910 advertised vacancies since the beginning of 2026. Technical problems associated with the implementation of the Tax Administration’s new information system have made official data on newly employed workers unavailable.
The missing information limits the ability of policymakers to determine how quickly employers are filling vacancies and whether demand for labour is beginning to weaken. More complete employment statistics are important for assessing the balance between available workers and businesses’ recruitment needs, particularly as Montenegro prepares changes to minimum wages and employment regulation.
Wage Reforms and Recruitment Challenges
Employers in tourism, construction, retail and manufacturing continue to report difficulties recruiting workers and rely heavily on foreign labour. Higher minimum wages could encourage more domestic workers to enter employment. Businesses that cannot absorb increased payroll costs could respond by reducing recruitment.
The September figures therefore present contrasting signals: registered unemployment increased slightly month on month, while the annual unemployment rate declined and businesses continued to report labour shortages.
Digital Systems and Labour-Market Monitoring
The planned centralisation and digitalisation of government information systems are expected to improve labour-market monitoring. The current disruption, however, demonstrates how technical implementation problems can restrict access to economic data and complicate policy decisions. Reliable employment statistics will be important in evaluating the effects of planned wage reforms and determining whether changes to employment costs influence recruitment.
Montenegro continues to face the challenge of meeting businesses’ demand for workers while part of the domestic population remains outside employment. Addressing this imbalance involves wages, workforce skills, productivity and more effective matching between jobseekers and available vacancies.
