Fuel Poverty Challenges in Serbia: Evidence from the Suburban Settlement of Kaluđerica

Abstract

Nowadays, fuel poverty is a globally recognized social and energy problem which is significantly influenced by low household incomes and high energy prices, as well as the built form elements. Although official data indicate that the average household in Serbia is a fuel poor household, namely that it spends more than 10% of its monthly income on energy services, this issue is not sufficiently addressed in national policies and academic research. This paper indicates the vulnerability to fuel poverty of people living in illegally built suburban areas in Serbia. The results of the survey conducted in the settlement of Kaluđerica on the outskirts of Belgrade show a low level of energy efficiency and high car fuel consumption as key factors affecting the pronounced burden of fuel spending within family budgets. Due to inefficient heating systems and inadequate energy performances of buildings, many households are forced to use risky methods of energy saving that can have harmful effects on their health, and also erode their quality of life.