Country Profile: Montenegro

Montenegro, located in Southeastern Europe along the Adriatic Sea, features a rugged landscape characterized by high limestone mountains and a narrow coastal plain. With a population of approximately 599,849 as of 2024, Montenegro's demographic is diverse, including various ethnic groups and languages, with Montenegrin and Serbian being the most widely spoken. The economy, classified as upper-middle-income, relies heavily on tourism and services, although recent years have seen challenges from declining industrial production and inflation rates. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Montenegro has ambitions of EU accession and remains an active member of NATO.

Geography

Montenegro covers an area of 13,812 square kilometers, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the west and shares land boundaries with several countries, including Albania and Serbia. The country experiences a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters, and features a highly indented coastline along with rugged terrain that reaches an elevation of 2,534 meters at Zia Kolata. Natural resources include bauxite and hydroelectric power, and about 61.5% of the land is forested.

13,812 km² - Total area
293.5 km - Coastline
18.8% - Agricultural land (2022)
61.5% - Forest cover (2022)
2,534 m - Highest point (Zia Kolata)

People and Society

As of 2024, Montenegro has an estimated population of 599,849, with a diverse cultural makeup where Montenegrins constitute 45% and Serbs approximately 28.7%. The majority of the population practices Eastern Orthodox Christianity (72.1%), while the population is experiencing a slight decline with a negative growth rate of -0.44%. Urbanization is notable, with 68.5% residing in urban areas. The median age is 41.1 years, highlighting a mature demographic compared to many other regions.

599,849 - Total population (2024)
68.5% - Urban population (2023)
10.9 - Birth rate (births per 1,000 population in 2024)
78.2 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024)
98.5% - Literacy rate (2018)

Economy

Montenegro has an upper-middle-income economy heavily reliant on tourism, which has faced challenges due to recent global slowdowns. As of 2024, the GDP is approximately $17.375 billion, with a per capita income of $27,900. The government is working towards EU accession which has spurred some economic reforms and growth, despite challenges like inflation and significant reliance on imports. The unemployment rate stands at 14.1% as of 2024.

$17.375 billion - GDP (PPP, 2024 est.)
$27,900 - GDP per capita (PPP, 2024 est.)
14.1% - Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
62.1% - Services sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.)
10.6% - Remittances as GDP share (2024 est.)

Government

Montenegro is a parliamentary republic with Podgorica as its capital. The current president, Jakov Milatović, was elected in 2023, while the Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, assumed office in late 2023. The legislative branch consists of a unicameral parliament with 81 members elected through proportional representation. Montenegro has a history of a complex political structure, becoming independent from Serbia in 2006 and attempting to navigate its path towards EU membership as an official candidate.

1 - Legal system: Civil law
$1.463 billion - Government revenues (2015 est.)
25 - Administrative divisions (municipalities)

Military and Security

Montenegro's military, consisting of around 1,600 active-duty personnel, includes ground forces, air force, and navy components. Following its NATO membership in 2017, the country has focused on modernizing its military capabilities, which mainly consist of inherited Soviet-era equipment. In 2024, military expenditures are estimated at 2% of GDP, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance national security and international collaboration.

2% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
1,600 - Active-duty military personnel (2024)

Energy

Montenegro has made strides in electricity generation, with total installed capacity reaching 1.082 million kW in 2023. The energy mix is predominantly hydroelectric (53%), followed by fossil fuels. The country consumes about 2.719 billion kWh annually, with electricity access covering 100% of the population. Despite challenges in energy efficiency, Montenegro is working to improve its energy infrastructure.

100% - Electrification rate (2022 est.)
1.082 million kW - Installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
63.407 million Btu/person - Total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)

Transportation

Montenegro's transport infrastructure includes five airports and a network of roads and railways, with 250 km of railways primarily operating on a standard gauge. The country's merchant marine fleet consists of 18 vessels. Key ports include Bar, Kotor, Risan, and Tivat, essential for trade and tourism.

5 - Airports (2025)
250 km - Total railways (2017)
4 - Total ports (2024)

Communications

The communications sector in Montenegro features a growing number of mobile cellular and internet users. As of 2023, there are approximately 1.31 million mobile subscriptions, reflecting a high penetration rate, while about 90% of the population has internet access. The telecommunications landscape also includes several broadcast media outlets.

90% - Internet user percentage (2023 est.)
1.31 million - Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.)
190,000 - Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	599,849	Estimated for 2024
Area	13,812 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$17.375 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	63.407 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	10.9 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	14.1%	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	98.5%	Estimated for 2018
Life Expectancy	78.2 years	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditure	2% of GDP	Estimated for 2024