The financial satisfaction among citizens in Montenegro is notably lower than the EU average, measuring just 4.9 on a scale of zero to ten in 2022, as reported by Eurostat.

In 2022, EU citizens rated their financial situation at an average of 7.1 on the same scale, according to recently released data detailing their satisfaction with personal finances.

The report also considered countries outside the EU as well as those aiming for membership.

Montenegro’s financial satisfaction decreased in 2022 compared to the previous report from 2018, when it stood at 5.5. This decline occurred despite the implementation of the Europe USA program 1, which raised minimum earnings to 450 euros.

In October of last year, the USA 2 program was launched, increasing the minimum salary to 600 euros (for secondary education) and 800 euros (for higher education).

Highest Satisfaction in the Netherlands and Finland

The Netherlands and Finland recorded the highest levels of financial satisfaction, each scoring 7.6. Sweden follows closely with 7.4, while Austria scores 7.3.

Conversely, six EU member states reported satisfaction levels below 6, indicating that citizens were generally more dissatisfied than satisfied. Bulgaria had the lowest score at 4.6, followed by Greece (5.3), Croatia (5.7), Slovakia (5.8), and Hungary and Latvia (5.9).

Outside the EU, Switzerland (7.5) and Norway (7.4) topped the rankings.

Among the former Yugoslav republics, Slovenia reported a score of 6.7, while Serbia scored 5.2. Data for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia, and Kosovo are not available for the year 2022.