Montenegro is a republic in Southeastern Europe on the Adriatic Sea coast. Its neighbors are Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. On June 3, 2006, the Republic became independent. Previously, since 1920, it was part of the Federal Yugoslavia.
Montenegro is one of the smallest countries in Europe. The population is 616,000, and the area is 13,812 km². The capital and most populous city is Podgorica, while Nikšić is the second-largest city. The country is divided into 21 municipalities, grouped into five regions.
The Republic is a member of the United Nations, WTO, OSCE, Council of Europe, and NATO. It is also a candidate for EU membership and uses the euro as its currency. The political system is a parliamentary democratic republic.
Climate Conditions
Montenegro’s climate directly depends on the geographical location of the area. The coastal zone has a Mediterranean climate, while the rest of the territory has a continental climate due to the Dinaric Alps, which block maritime influence inland. Summers are long and dry, whereas winters are usually wet and short. The mountainous areas have an alpine climate, allowing for heavy snowfall, covering the main peaks with snow for most of the year.
Despite the dry and hot summer, the temperature is comfortable – generally not exceeding +29°C (June-July period). The average minimum temperature in summer is +19°C. The absolute maximum can sometimes reach 40°C.
The average winter temperature on the coast is +11°C. In the mountainous areas, the temperature can drop to -9°C. Snow in the highlands lasts from November to March. January’s average temperatures are around 5°C, with an absolute minimum of -10°C.
In the high mountainous areas, the climate is subalpine. Here, winters are cold with heavy precipitation and moderately warm summers. In January, the mountains' average temperature is -3°C. The Montenegrin mountains receive the highest precipitation in Europe, up to 4928 mm annually. In the northern regions and especially in the highlands, due to low evaporation, snow lasts several months or even the whole year.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, the population of the Republic is 620,029, corresponding to a population density of 44.7 people per km². On average, the population decreases by 0.1% per year due to rising mortality rates. The birth rate is 11.4 per 1,000 residents, and the death rate is 11.7 per 1,000 residents. The number of births per woman in 2023 is 1.8.
The life expectancy of Montenegrin residents is 75.9 years (women 78.8 years, men 73.2 years). The average age of the population is 38.8 years. 18.2% of the population is younger than 15 years old, and 16% are over 64 years old.
The population of Montenegro, like many Southeastern European countries, is multiethnic. According to the census, 278,865 people, or 44.98% of the population, identified as Montenegrins, 178,110 or 28.73% as Serbs, 53,605 or 8.65% as Bosniaks, 30,439 or 4.91% as Albanians, 20,537 or 3.31% as Slavic Muslims (ethnically), 6251 or 1.01% as Roma, 6021 or 0.97% as Croats, and 47,513 or 7.68% indicated other nationalities or did not provide data.
According to the constitution, the official languages of Montenegro are Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian. 72% of Montenegro’s residents belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church. Besides Orthodox Christians, there is a Sunni Muslim minority, accounting for about 16% of the population, and several thousand Catholics, predominantly Croats and Albanians.
Economy
Montenegro has a transitional economic system. Its current state is a direct result of the wars, the industrial decline following the collapse of Federal Yugoslavia, and UN sanctions programs. Tourism is the main sector of the economy. The euro is used as the currency.
The service sector produces the largest share of GDP - 88% (or 73% of employed), followed by industry - 11% (or 23%) and agriculture - 1% (or 6% of employed).
The country's GDP in 2023 was 1.6 billion USD. GDP per capita is 7879 USD. The average economic growth rate over the past few years is 3.2%. The unemployment rate is 16.2%. The average inflation rate in 2022-2023 is 13%. In 2023, the national debt was 4.2 billion USD.
The most important mineral resources are bauxite (which is a major export), iron ore, and brown coal. Important industrial sectors are tobacco processing, aluminum production, and salt production. Agriculture specializes in vegetables, cereals, potatoes, tobacco, wine, citrus fruits, olives, and figs.
In the Global Competitiveness Index, measuring the country's competitiveness, Montenegro ranks 73rd out of 137 countries (as of 2023). In the Index of Economic Freedom, the country ranks 77th out of 180 countries.
Freedom of Travel (Visa-Free Countries)
In the global passport strength ranking, Montenegro ranks 36th, alongside Turkey and Russia. Citizens of the country have the right to visit 76 countries without obtaining visas (with a free stay period of 30 to 180 days). 46 countries require Montenegrins to obtain a visa on arrival, allowing a stay of up to 90 days. In 5 countries, it is sufficient to obtain an electronic entry permit and stay for 30 to 90 days.