Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – According to Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Nikola Milovic, citizens of Montenegro pay prices comparable to those in more developed European countries for many basic necessities, while wages, pensions, economic productivity and purchasing power remain far below the European average. 

He said that the latest Eurostat data confirmed what Montenegrin citizens have long been experiencing in their daily lives.

“While official statistics place Montenegro at 66 percent of the EU average in terms of overall price levels, the reality is much harsher when looking at the products and services people buy every day. Food and non-alcoholic beverages have reached 87 percent of the EU average, clothing 95 percent, footwear 99 percent, while the prices of communications services and IT equipment are even above the European average, exceeding 100 percent,” Milovic said.

According to him, this means that Montenegrin citizens pay almost the same prices as residents of more developed European countries for many essential goods and services.

“However, what is nowhere near the European average are wages, pensions, economic productivity and citizens’ purchasing power. As a result, an increasing number of families are facing the reality that their incomes can no longer keep pace with the rising cost of living,” Milovic said.

He added that the problem is not that Montenegro is approaching Europe in terms of prices, the problem is that the same is not true for living standards.