Welfare Economics Department

The Welfare Economics Department advances existing knowledge and generates new insights in research areas related to public health, labour, education, and social policy. Through its work, the Department contributes to the academic community and provides relevant guidance to national public policy makers. It also prepares comparative analyses aimed at assessing the broader implications and relevance of selected research topics within the context of national and European strategic development priorities, while actively engaging in the exchange of experiences and good practices.

The Department’s research agenda focuses on: analysing the effects of tobacco product taxation on consumer behaviour and public health; assessing the effects of active labour market measures that form part of the strategic framework of labour market policies; and understanding the role of education in shaping educational profiles aligned with the economic structure and labour market needs, including the introduction of digital transformation in higher education. Research is conducted within the theoretical frameworks of labour economics, health and education economics, and public finance, and analyses are based on representative survey data, administrative datasets, and rigorous statistical and econometric methods.

The research topics addressed by the Department are of primary importance for Serbia’s development and contribute to a better understanding of the country’s economic and social context. Research is designed to illuminate challenges arising from transition processes, demographic changes, and technological progress, including unemployment and structural changes in the labour market; consumer behaviour and public health implications associated with the excessive use of addictive products, particularly among young people; the position of marginalised social groups regardless of age; and exclusion driven by the pace of technological advancement, which inevitably places part of society in a disadvantaged position. The Department’s analyses aim to identify key problems, examine policy effects, and propose measures that could improve the existing institutional framework and the scope of public policies. Research in welfare economics is also important from a regional and broader geographical perspective, given ongoing efforts towards economic integration and Serbia’s accession and integration process within the European space.

The Department’s research directly informs public policy design, particularly through analyses of the effects of tobacco taxation on consumer behaviour and public health, as well as assessments of measures embedded within the strategic framework of labour market policies. Additionally, the Department’s work contributes to understanding the educational function in shaping educational profiles aligned with the economic structure, emphasising the importance of market-relevant knowledge and skills, and supporting the introduction of digital transformation in higher education. The Department’s research themes and their dissemination through diverse communication channels, ranging from academic to public outreach formats, contribute to a deeper understanding of the economic and social context and bring this knowledge closer to the scientific and professional community, as well as to individuals and the business sector. This is achieved through the organisation of seminars and round tables involving relevant stakeholders, including representatives of civil society organisations and the private sector.

The Department carries out its activities through publishing outputs such as scientific papers, policy briefs, and comprehensive studies. It organises academic conferences and other events to present research findings, implements research projects independently and in partnership with other research organisations in Serbia and abroad, and encourages its researchers to expand networks of collaborators across academia, policy practice, and the business sector. Departmental activities also include participation in major international conferences, such as AEC, EACES, ENSP – ECTC, ESA, ESPE, ICMarkTech, SOR, and others.