Serbia/Society

Society in Serbia

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
6.6M(2023)
Population Growth
-0.6%(2023)
Fertility Rate
1.61(2023)
Death Rate
14.7 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-8.1K(2024)

Public Health

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Life Expectancy
76.2 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
5.2 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
11 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
9.7%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

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Literacy Rate
99%(2019)
Primary Enrollment
94.6%(2018)
Secondary Enrollment
95.1%(2022)
Tertiary Enrollment
73.2(2023)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
3.2%(2022)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
85.4%(2023)
Access to Electricity
100%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
95.7%(2022)
Urban Population
3.8M(2023)
Rural Population
2.8M(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Serbia

  • Serbia has an estimated population of 6.6M
    2023
    . The country is confronting significant population decline, with a negative growth rate of -0.6%
    2023
    , posing long-term challenges for workforce sustainability and social security systems. A below-replacement fertility rate of 1.6 births per woman
    2023
    suggests gradual population aging and potential future workforce shortages. Net emigration of approximately 8K individuals annually (or 1.2 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, the country maintains a reasonable health standard with a life expectancy of 76.2 years
    2023
    , though there is scope for further improvements to achieve higher global benchmarks. Concurrently, healthcare system effectiveness is further validated by favorable maternal and child health outcomes, reflected in a child mortality rate (under 5 years) of 5.2 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and a maternal mortality rate of 11 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    . These outcomes are supported by a moderate commitment to health system development, with 9.7% of GDP directed to healthcare expenditure
    2022
    .
  • The country boasts exceptional educational attainment with a near-universal adult literacy rate of 99%
    2019
    , establishing a robust foundation for a knowledge-based economy. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 95% primary enrollment
    2018
    and 95% secondary participation rates
    2022
    . This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 3.2% of GDP
    2022
    , which may constrain the scale and quality of future human capital development initiatives.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (57% urban population
    2023
    ) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 100% electricity access
    2023
    and 85% internet penetration
    2023
    , supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

The combination of low fertility and net emigration poses significant long-term risks to workforce sustainability and economic vitality.

Public Health System

Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.

Human Capital Formation

A highly educated populace positions the nation for success in the global knowledge economy. Keeping talent is a vital strength.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.