Key Facts: Serbia vs Iceland Wages
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Iceland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Iceland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr800,000 /mo ($6,478.78 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24), Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) / Statistics Iceland (2026-02-24)
Serbia
Iceland
Updated 2026-02-24
Unlike Iceland, which has no statutory minimum wage, Serbia mandates a wage floor of $3/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,023/mo in Serbia versus $6,479/mo in Iceland, a 6.3:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Iceland is 2.6x that of Serbia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Serbia has lower GDP per capita ($32,832 vs $84,257). Serbia's unemployment rate is 7.1% compared to Iceland's 3.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Serbia | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | RSD271 $2.52 | None |
| Minimum wage /day | RSD2,168 $20.17 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | RSD47,000 $437.21 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | RSD564,000 $5,246.51 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | RSD110,000 /mo $1,023.26 | kr800,000 /mo $6,478.78 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 | kr560,000 /mo $4,535.15 |
| Median individual income /yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 | kr7,800,000 /yr $63,168.12 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Serbia is higher.
Work Week
- Serbia
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.26x pay
Labour Law sets full-time working hours at 40/week. Overtime: minimum 26% surcharge. Night work (22:00-06:00): minimum 26% surcharge. Holiday work: minimum 110% surcharge. Maximum overtime is 8 hours/week. Reduced working hours (36 or fewer) for hazardous occupations.
- Iceland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.8x pay
Standard working week is 40 hours (set by collective agreements). The Act on Working Environment and Health sets maximum average of 48 hours/week per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime premiums are set by collective agreements, typically 80% premium (1.8x) for daytime overtime, higher for evenings/weekends. A landmark 2021 agreement reduced standard hours from 40 to 36 for many public sector workers, with the private sector gradually following.
See this comparison from Iceland's perspective: Iceland vs Serbia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Serbia or Iceland?
In Serbia, the minimum wage is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). In Iceland, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Serbia compared to Iceland?
The average gross salary in Serbia is RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD), compared to kr800,000/mo ($6,478.78 USD) in Iceland. In USD terms, workers in Serbia earn approximately 533% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Serbia and Iceland is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Iceland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Serbia.
How do work hours compare between Serbia and Iceland?
Both Serbia and Iceland mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Serbia and Iceland?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Iceland has the higher GDP per capita at $84,257, which is 2.6x that of Serbia at $32,832. From Serbia's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.