New data from Eurostat reveals that Montenegro’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita stands at 48% below the average for the European Union.
In the region, Serbia shows similar challenges, with its GDP per capita trailing 54% below the EU average, a slight improvement from 59% recorded in 2013.
North Macedonia reports a GDP per capita 59% lower than the EU average, while Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina lag further behind, with figures at 65% below.
Among EU candidate countries, Turkey boasts the highest GDP per capita.
Eurostat’s latest report underscores significant disparities in GDP per capita across EU member states.
Luxembourg leads with a GDP per capita 139% above the EU average based on 2023 figures, followed by Ireland at 111% and the Netherlands at 30%.
Eight other countries surpass the EU average in GDP per capita: Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Malta, and France.
Conversely, Bulgaria records the lowest GDP per capita, trailing 36% below the EU average, followed by Greece at 33% and Latvia at 29%.
Luxembourg’s high GDP per capita partly stems from a substantial number of non-resident workers contributing to its economy, although their consumption impacts are registered in their countries of residence.
Ireland’s robust GDP per capita is partly attributed to the presence of major multinational corporations holding significant intellectual property.
Additionally, EFTA countries—Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland—also report higher GDP per capita figures compared to the EU average, standing at 73%, 54%, and 34% respectively.
