Key Facts: Serbia vs Norway Wages
- Serbia Minimum Wage
- RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD)
- Norway Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Serbia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- RSD110,000 /mo ($1,023.26 USD)
- Norway Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr55,150 /mo ($5,953.34 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (2026-02-24), Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) (2026-05-28)
Serbia
Norway
Updated 2026-05-28
Unlike Norway, 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 $5,953/mo in Norway, a 5.8:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Norway is 3.1x that of Serbia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Serbia has lower GDP per capita ($32,832 vs $102,038). Serbia's unemployment rate is 7.1% compared to Norway's 4.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Serbia | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | kr55,150 /mo $5,953.34 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | RSD80,000 /mo $744.19 | kr38,600 /mo $4,166.80 |
| Median individual income /yr | RSD600,000 /yr $5,581.40 | kr570,000 /yr $61,530.49 |
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.
- Norway
-
37.5 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.4x pay
The Working Environment Act sets a maximum of 40 hours/week, but most collective agreements specify 37.5 hours. Overtime premium minimum 40% by law. Maximum overtime: 10 hrs/week, 25 hrs over 4 consecutive weeks, 200 hrs/year. Night and Sunday work requires additional premiums by agreement.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Serbia mandates 40 hours while Norway mandates 37.5 hours.
See this comparison from Norway's perspective: Norway vs Serbia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Serbia or Norway?
In Serbia, the minimum wage is RSD271/hr ($2.52 USD). In Norway, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Serbia compared to Norway?
The average gross salary in Serbia is RSD110,000/mo ($1,023.26 USD), compared to kr55,150/mo ($5,953.34 USD) in Norway. In USD terms, workers in Serbia earn approximately 482% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Serbia and Norway is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Norway 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 Norway?
Serbia has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37.5 hours in Norway. Workers in Serbia work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Norway working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Serbia and Norway?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Norway has the higher GDP per capita at $102,038, which is 3.1x 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.