Serbia food prices near EU levels despite half the living standard

A Demostat analysis finds retail food prices in Serbia exceed those in 11 Central and Eastern European countries across ten categories, and surpass EU levels in six areas, while the average standard of living remains roughly half the EU average. The data point to a structural cost-of-living squeeze, though the underlying methodology and exact price comparisons are not detailed. This matters for Serbian inflation dynamics and household purchasing power, with potential implications for regional competitiveness and policy response.