Preliminary data from Monstat indicates that Montenegro’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.4 percent in the first quarter, marking one of the highest growth rates in Europe.

According to the European Statistical Office, Serbia achieved a growth of 4.7 percent and Malta 4.6 percent, placing Montenegro third in this quarter’s rankings. Croatia follows closely in fourth with a growth of 3.9 percent, while Slovenia ranks ninth with a GDP growth of 2.1 percent. Notably, Eurostat has yet to release data for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Montenegro’s GDP for the first quarter is reported to be 1.344 billion euros, compared to 1.23 billion euros during the same period last year, as announced by MONSTAT.

The composition of GDP shows the largest segment being final consumption (household and government consumption), which reached approximately 1.46 billion euros in the first quarter. However, the balance of imports and exports was negative, amounting to -562 million euros. Gross investments in fixed assets were recorded at 318.8 million euros, with changes in stock accounting for 135 million euros.

Household consumption expenditure is derived from a range of regular statistical research, including household consumption surveys, agricultural statistics, industrial data, foreign trade, and price statistics. The evaluation employs goods flow methodologies at a detailed level of personal consumption classification (COICOP), explains MONSTAT.

State final consumption expenditures are computed based on data from the Ministry of Finance utilizing the ESA 2010 methodology. This includes spending on education, health, social protection, sports, culture, and recreation.

Collective expenditures, which cover general public services, defense, public order, security, economic affairs, environmental protection, and others, are also accounted for under the final consumption of the state, aligning with the COFOG classification.

Gross fixed asset investments are calculated using goods flow methods. Regular statistical survey data—including foreign trade statistics, construction work studies, and investment surveys—alongside information from income and customs administration, were used for these calculations.

Export and import data for goods and services are compiled based on statistics from foreign trade management (Monstat), along with information from the income and customs administrations, and balance of payments data from the Central Bank of Montenegro.