Pensioners in North Macedonia seek extra work as Serbian peers earn up to €100 weekly

How much do retirees earn and how are they staying active after leaving full‑time work? In North Macedonia a growing number of older people look for paid, short‑term jobs — some out of financial necessity, others to keep socially engaged — but the types of work and pay differ sharply from neighboring Serbia.

In Serbia more than 350,000 pensioners take on a wide range of paid gigs. According to recent labour‑market figures there, ancillary jobs can bring in about 9,000 to 12,000 dinars per week (around 75 to 100 euros). Typical rates cited include roughly 5–10 euros per hour for babysitting and 10–20 euros per hour for former teachers giving private lessons. Day rates for house or pet sitting range from 750 to 1,500 dinars.

One simple calculation shows that, using those daily rates, a pensioner who spent about four hours a week babysitting could earn 2,000–4,000 dinars weekly (presented elsewhere as 1,000–2,000 dinars in another example), which would boost total weekly income by 4,000–8,000 dinars. Combining several short‑term engagements could push monthly additional earnings toward 20,000 dinars.

By contrast, in North Macedonia the pool of jobs most often filled by retirees is narrower. Women more frequently find roles as cleaners or chambermaids in hotels and as caregivers for elderly or ill people in private homes. Men typically take on small repair jobs, appliance fixes and property rounds.

Seasonal work, pay gaps and cross‑border opportunities

Because hotels and seasonal employers face staff shortages, many Macedonian pensioners accept hotel work at home or travel seasonally to Montenegro and Croatia. Daily wages in North Macedonia for these positions are generally much lower than in some neighbouring countries. Families with children living abroad sometimes bring their parents to help with childcare because hiring local care would be more expensive.

For in‑home care of an older person, pensioners in North Macedonia can earn between 15,000 and 30,000 denars — a level that remains notably below comparable regional rates.

A recent change in legislation offers a practical improvement: the new Law on work engagement, which allows seasonal and temporary employment, enables pensioners to work legally without losing their acquired pension. Employers are obliged to register those engagements and to pay contributions for every hour worked.

Despite the legal opening, the biggest barrier on the ground remains access to information. Older jobseekers say listings are scattered across the internet and tailored to younger applicants; they request a centralized platform or app where positions suitable for their age and experience are gathered in one place.

Photo: Ilustracija (AI)