Country explorer: Montenegro

Montenegro's economy has shown a positive trend in GDP per capita growth, a reduction in unemployment rates, and managed inflation rates, reflecting broader economic stability and growth similar to its upper-middle-income peers despite short-term fluctuations.

Montenegro has experienced a slight yet fluctuating population growth combined with a moderate net migration loss, a gradually reducing fertility rate, and an improving life expectancy, mirroring broader trends seen across upper-middle-income countries and indicating a transition towards more stable demographic patterns.

Montenegro has made steady progress in improving basic needs for its population, with near-universal access to electricity and significant strides in access to clean cooking fuels, safely managed drinking water, and sanitation facilities, mirroring trends seen in upper-middle-income countries but still showing room for growth in safely managed sanitation.

Montenegro has demonstrated significant human development progress, with notable improvements in its Human Development Index, a sharp reduction in child mortality rates, increased literacy rates, and enhancements in learning-adjusted years of schooling, reflecting broad advancements in health, education, and living standards similar to its regional peers.

Montenegro has made distinctive strides in environmental sustainability, experiencing a significant reduction in per capita CO₂ emissions including land-use change, and transitioning towards greener energy sources as reflected by growth in other renewables and bioenergy, although its electricity generation still relies on traditional sources like hydro, gas, and coal, in line with its upper-middle-income peers.

Montenegro has undergone significant technological and innovation advancements, evidenced by dramatic increases in internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, research and development spending, and scientific publications, aligning with trends observed in upper-middle-income countries and showcasing its progress towards integrating into the digital and knowledge economies.

Montenegro has experienced a stable increase in life satisfaction amidst moderate changes in the share of the population born in another country, a gradual decrease in gender inequality, and a consistent rise in the age dependency ratio, reflecting trends common to upper-middle-income countries yet also illustrating its distinct journey toward greater social well-being and demographic shifts.

Montenegro has seen notable improvements in governance, with gradual advancements in the rule of law, a steady, though imperfect, reduction in corruption perceptions, enhanced political and civil liberties, and progress in press freedom, mirroring broader trends in the region towards enhancing democratic governance structures.