On the occasion of 12 August – International Youth Day – the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) draws attention to the multifaceted challenges that young people in Montenegro face, and which often leave them without adequate support, perspective, or opportunities for active participation in society. Instead of celebrating their potential, this date increasingly serves as a reminder of their marginalization and neglect in key areas that shape their quality of life and developmental prospects.
One of the most serious issues is the chronically high youth unemployment rate. Data from a 2023 CCE studyshows that more than 60% of young people over the age of 15 are unemployed. According to findings from the 2024 Youth Study, conducted by the CCE in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 13.8% of young people reported actively seeking work, while 32.7% said they were unemployed but not currently looking for a job. Many young people are discouraged from job searching due to perceived lack of opportunities or other barriers. These figures highlight not only ineffective employment policies but also the widespread belief that jobs are obtained through political or other clientelist networks rather than merit and competence.
The education system is seen as a tedious and inefficient process that wastes time without providing concrete skills. According to the Youth Study, 55% of young people believe that grades and exams can be bought, and nearly two-fifths (37%) are dissatisfied with the quality of education in Montenegro. The prevailing opinion is that academic programs are outdated, overly theoretical, and lacking practical components. This contributes to a sense of unpreparedness and demotivation for entering the labor market.
In such an environment, it is not surprising – but it is alarming – that nearly 40% of young people plan to leave Montenegro, with an additional 22% seriously considering it. This represents a serious threat of losing the most educated and developmentally capable portion of the youth population—an issue that, evidently, decision-makers have yet to adequately address.
The passivity of young people in public and political life further deepens the challenges, as their opinions are rarely respected and opportunities for participating in decision-making are minimal. The protests organized, earlier this yearm by the informal student group “Kamo śutra” were an encouraging sign of critical awareness and activist potential among youth, but, also unfortunately, exposed the government’s hostility toward civic engagement by young people.
Another concerning trend is the retraditionalization among youth. Findings from our Multiculturalism in Focus research, conducted in November 2024, indicate that young people are increasingly placing their trust in religious institutions and are becoming less open to diversity – only 55.6% expressed willingness to be in a relationship or marry someone from a different ethnic background, and just 47% are open to a relationship or marriage with someone of a different religion. This shift toward more conservative, closed, and less inclusive mindsets is also evident in high levels of social distance toward members of the LGBT community, as well as a significant portion of young people who do not support the right to abortion.
The CCE calls on relevant institutions to move beyond symbolic approaches to youth and, through strategic policies, improve education, create sustainable employment opportunities, ensure an inclusive and democratic social environment, and establish conditions for genuine youth participation in decision-making.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 12 August as International Youth Day to celebrate the contributions of young people and highlight the importance of including them in decision-making at all levels.
Nikola Đurašević, Programme Associate