Nikola Maričić has spent more than a third of his life working. This might not seem unusual, were it not for the fact that this Belgrade resident is only 23 years old. He has accumulated eight years of work experience by assembling televisions, doing removals and deliveries, helping out on construction sites, and finally, working in hospitality – all whilst studying at the Faculty of Security Studies.

Alongside earnings, which are “always important”, days off are also “very significant” to him, he tells BBC News Serbia.

“I’m young and it’s important to me not to be too tied down, but the way of working, the team, the environment you work in, and having an employer who trusts you and understands how things function are also crucial,” the 23-year-old waiter says.

He is employed through a Youth Employment Cooperative, which means contributions towards his pension years are not paid in the same way as they would be under a standard employment contract. Pension years are “not overly important right now” because he is still studying, though he notes that his older colleagues place this condition much higher on their list of priorities.

What the data says: The expectations of Generation Z

Some of Maričić’s views are shared by his peers, according to the TalentX 2026 survey conducted by the job recruitment platform Poslovi Infostud.

In Serbia, 85% of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) consider it important for leaders to trust employees and support flexible working arrangements, such as working from home. 89% want to work in an environment where they feel free to express their opinions, ask questions, or point out a problem without fear of consequences, while 90% believe that their roles, responsibilities, and expectations should be clearly defined.

Young people in Serbia “follow trends and share most of the expectations of their peers across Europe,” economist Dejana Pavlović tells BBC News Serbia.

In recent years, Serbia has seen a decline in youth unemployment rates and a reduction in the share of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET), she adds. “However, these indicators are still less favourable than in most European Union countries,” concludes Pavlović, a senior research associate at the Institute of Economic Sciences (IEN).

Salaries and the work-life balance

Generation Z is earning more than its predecessors – by up to 12% – according to a study by the British Resolution Foundation published in June 2026.

While there is no equivalent precise data to provide insight into the situation in Serbia, a Startuj Infostud survey from 2024 showed that young people expect higher salaries – expecting 89,345 dinars on average for their first job. Over the course of their subsequent career, the average respondent desires a salary of 172,963 dinars, says Miloš Turinski from Infostud. The survey did not specify the level of education, experience, or the specific industry linked to these expectations.

Changing priorities with age

Since they are between 24 and 30 years old, many members of Generation Z are just starting their careers. This can be “the biggest challenge and obstacle,” as employers often seek workers with experience, which young people at the beginning of their professional path generally lack, Turinski claims. Nevertheless, as Serbia has been facing a labour shortage for years, companies are increasingly accepting young people without experience for “junior positions, paid internships, and graduate schemes.”

Marta Jenić, 26, found her first employment in 2022 while she was still a student at the Faculty of Philology. She taught French to other students and soon after transitioned into the IT sector at a company where she still works today. Back then, she had two nearly identical offers, but this firm offered the option to work from home, which she describes as a “huge benefit.”

“When I found this job, which is my first real one, the colleagues were also very important to me, because people had scared me with stories of toxic environments and managers who might mistreat you,” Marta tells BBC News Serbia.

A good team has been the main reason she has stayed at the company for four years, but she emphasizes that her priorities have begun to shift:

“Now that I have more experience and know how to handle certain situations, the team has become less vital, and the most important thing to me is work-life balance – not neglecting my private life. On top of that, salary has now become very important, because at 26, these are the years when you need to buy a car or a flat and support yourself, and I support my family too.”

Awareness of rights and legislative frameworks

More than three-quarters of Marta’s peers believe it is important for an employer to clearly determine and explain the criteria for salaries and potential raises, according to the TalentX survey, which polled 11,222 respondents. Furthermore, 86% consider it essential for employers to speak openly about changes, challenges, and results.

A 2025 survey by the Ministry of Tourism and Youth shows that around 85% of young people have registered employment, marking an improvement compared to previous years.

Compared to older generations, members of Generation Z are “much more aware of their own rights and expectations from employers,” wanting their work to be paid and demanding a clear distinction between professional internships and permanent employment, says economist Dejana Pavlović. This is also facilitated by the legislative framework, following the adoption of the Law on Volunteering in 2010, with the adoption of the Law on Work Placements also anticipated.

University trends: The most and least popular studies

The interests of young people are shifting. Following the closure of applications for entrance exams at the University of Belgrade, as many as 15 faculties recorded fewer applicants than the number of available places.

At the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Mining and Geology, the number of applicants was more than three times lower than the predicted enrollment quota. At the faculties of Geography, Physics, and Physical Chemistry, it was more than two times lower. A large number of vacancies also remained at the following faculties:

• Law
• Philology
• Chemistry
• Forestry
• Faculty of Sciences (Natural Sciences and Mathematics)
• Technology and Metallurgy
• Orthodox Theology
• Teacher Training
• Security Studies

Conversely, the highest demand during the June enrollment window was seen at the Faculty of Economics, the Faculty of Organisational Sciences (FON), Dentistry, Electrical Engineering (ETF), Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, and Medicine, as well as psychology studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Blic newspaper reports. For some courses at these popular faculties, up to five candidates are competing for a single freshman place.

(021.rs, 07.07.2026)

https://www.021.rs/bbc/bbc/448428/ne-pristajemo-na-nepostovanje-sta-generacija-z-zeli-od-posla-a-sta-nudi-poslodavcima