Serbia - RS - SRB - SRB - Europe

Last updated: January 02, 2025
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  • Smederevo Fortress, located 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Belgrade, is in the center of Smederevo city. The fortification was built between 1427 and 1439 as a temporary capital of Serbia during the Middle Ages after Belgrade was given to the Hungarians. The triangular shape of the fortress derives from its location at the confluence of the Jezava and Danube Rivers.

    Smederevo Fortress, located 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Belgrade, is in the center of Smederevo city. The fortification was built between 1427 and 1439 as a temporary capital of Serbia during the Middle Ages after Belgrade was given to the Hungarians. The triangular shape of the fortress derives from its location at the confluence of the Jezava and Danube Rivers.

  • A view of Belgrade at night showing the Danube River. Belgrade is the only European capital that lies at the confluence of two huge rivers – the Sava and Danube.

    A view of Belgrade at night showing the Danube River. Belgrade is the only European capital that lies at the confluence of two huge rivers – the Sava and Danube.

  • Belgrade, located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, is the capital of the Republic of Serbia. The core of old Belgrade - known as Kalemegdan - is located along the right banks of both the Danube and the Sava Rivers (image center). To the west across the Sava, Novi Beograd (New Belgrade) was constructed following World War II. The difference in urban patterns between the older parts of Belgrade and Novi Beograd is striking in this astronaut photograph from the International Space Station. Novi Beograd has an open grid structure formed by large developments and buildings such as the Palace of Serbia - a large federal building constructed during the Yugoslav period, now used to house elements of the Serbian Government. By contrast, the older urban fabric of Belgrade is characterized by a denser street grid and numerous smaller structures. Other suburban and residential development (characterized by red rooftops) extends to the south, east, and across the Danube to the north. The location of Belgrade along trade and travel routes between the East and West contributed to both its historical success as a center of trade and its fate as a battleground. Today, the city is the financial center of Serbia, while Novi Beograd supports one of the largest business districts in southeastern Europe. Image courtesy of NASA.

    Belgrade, located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, is the capital of the Republic of Serbia. The core of old Belgrade - known as Kalemegdan - is located along the right banks of both the Danube and the Sava Rivers (image center). To the west across the Sava, Novi Beograd (New Belgrade) was constructed following World War II. The difference in urban patterns between the older parts of Belgrade and Novi Beograd is striking in this astronaut photograph from the International Space Station. Novi Beograd has an open grid structure formed by large developments and buildings such as the Palace of Serbia - a large federal building constructed during the Yugoslav period, now used to house elements of the Serbian Government. By contrast, the older urban fabric of Belgrade is characterized by a denser street grid and numerous smaller structures. Other suburban and residential development (characterized by red rooftops) extends to the south, east, and across the Danube to the north. The location of Belgrade along trade and travel routes between the East and West contributed to both its historical success as a center of trade and its fate as a battleground. Today, the city is the financial center of Serbia, while Novi Beograd supports one of the largest business districts in southeastern Europe. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • The Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade is the largest Serbian Orthodox church and the largest Orthodox place of worship in the Balkans. Dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the church is located near the presumed location of his grave. Construction on the structure began in 1935 and was interrupted many times because of various conflicts; it was finally consecrated in 2004. The Church of Saint Sava has more than 49 bells in its bell towers, over 18 gold-plated crosses on its domes and a central dome that weighs 3628 metric tons (4,000 tons).

    The Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade is the largest Serbian Orthodox church and the largest Orthodox place of worship in the Balkans. Dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the church is located near the presumed location of his grave. Construction on the structure began in 1935 and was interrupted many times because of various conflicts; it was finally consecrated in 2004. The Church of Saint Sava has more than 49 bells in its bell towers, over 18 gold-plated crosses on its domes and a central dome that weighs 3628 metric tons (4,000 tons).

  • Interior dome of the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.

    Interior dome of the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.

  • Icon depicting Christ and saints in the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.

    Icon depicting Christ and saints in the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.

  • The Inner Stambol Gate is the main entrance to the Belgrade's Kalemegdan Fortress.

    The Inner Stambol Gate is the main entrance to the Belgrade's Kalemegdan Fortress.

  • Along the walls of the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade with a display of historic artillery.

    Along the walls of the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade with a display of historic artillery.

  • Confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers as seen from the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade.

    Confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers as seen from the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade.

  • A view of the Iron Gates gorge on the Danube River.

    A view of the Iron Gates gorge on the Danube River.

  • Golubac (Pigeon) Fortress overlooks the Iron Gates, a gorge on the Danube River that forms a boundary between Serbia (south) and Romania (north). The name derives from the wild pigeons that lived on the rocks surrounding the fortress and later made the fortress their home. Nine of the towers in the fortress also look like pigeons nests. Because of its strategic location, this medieval castle was the place of many battles between the Turks, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Serbs, and Austrians and changed ownership often. In 1867, Golubac finally transferred to Serbia after losing its strategic importance.

    Golubac (Pigeon) Fortress overlooks the Iron Gates, a gorge on the Danube River that forms a boundary between Serbia (south) and Romania (north). The name derives from the wild pigeons that lived on the rocks surrounding the fortress and later made the fortress their home. Nine of the towers in the fortress also look like pigeons nests. Because of its strategic location, this medieval castle was the place of many battles between the Turks, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Serbs, and Austrians and changed ownership often. In 1867, Golubac finally transferred to Serbia after losing its strategic importance.

  • The Roman Catholic Name of Mary Church in the city of Novi Sad in northern Serbia is the tallest structure in the city (52 m; 171 ft). First constructed in the 11th century, it was demolished in various wars and fires but rebuilt each time. The current version dates to 1891.

    The Roman Catholic Name of Mary Church in the city of Novi Sad in northern Serbia is the tallest structure in the city (52 m; 171 ft). First constructed in the 11th century, it was demolished in various wars and fires but rebuilt each time. The current version dates to 1891.

  • Smederevo Fortress, located 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Belgrade, is in the center of Smederevo city. The fortification was built between 1427 and 1439 as a temporary capital of Serbia during the Middle Ages after Belgrade was given to the Hungarians. The triangular shape of the fortress derives from its location at the confluence of the Jezava and Danube Rivers.

    Smederevo Fortress, located 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Belgrade, is in the center of Smederevo city. The fortification was built between 1427 and 1439 as a temporary capital of Serbia during the Middle Ages after Belgrade was given to the Hungarians. The triangular shape of the fortress derives from its location at the confluence of the Jezava and Danube Rivers.

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  • A view of Belgrade and the Sava River. Belgrade is the only European capital that lies at the confluence two huge rivers – the Sava and Danube.
  • A view of Belgrade at night showing the Danube River. Belgrade is the only European capital that lies at the confluence of two huge rivers – the Sava and Danube.
  • Belgrade, located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, is the capital of the Republic of Serbia. The core of old Belgrade - known as Kalemegdan - is located along the right banks of both the Danube and the Sava Rivers (image center). To the west across the Sava, Novi Beograd (New Belgrade) was constructed following World War II. The difference in urban patterns between the older parts of Belgrade and Novi Beograd is striking in this astronaut photograph from the International Space Station. Novi Beograd has an open grid structure formed by large developments and buildings such as the Palace of Serbia - a large federal building constructed during the Yugoslav period, now used to house elements of the Serbian Government. By contrast, the older urban fabric of Belgrade is characterized by a denser street grid and numerous smaller structures. Other suburban and residential development (characterized by red rooftops) extends to the south, east, and across the Danube to the north. The location of Belgrade along trade and travel routes between the East and West contributed to both its historical success as a center of trade and its fate as a battleground. Today, the city is the financial center of Serbia, while Novi Beograd supports one of the largest business districts in southeastern Europe. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade is the largest Serbian Orthodox church and the largest Orthodox place of worship in the Balkans. Dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the church is located near the presumed location of his grave. Construction on the structure began in 1935 and was interrupted many times because of various conflicts; it was finally consecrated in 2004. The Church of Saint Sava has more than 49 bells in its bell towers, over 18 gold-plated crosses on its domes and a central dome that weighs 3628 metric tons (4,000 tons).
  • Interior dome of the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.
  • Icon depicting Christ and saints in the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.
  • The Inner Stambol Gate is the main entrance to the Belgrade's Kalemegdan Fortress.
  • Along the walls of the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade with a display of historic artillery.
  • Confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers as seen from the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade.
  • A view of the Iron Gates gorge on the Danube River.
  • Golubac (Pigeon) Fortress overlooks the Iron Gates, a gorge on the Danube River that forms a boundary between Serbia (south) and Romania (north). The name derives from the wild pigeons that lived on the rocks surrounding the fortress and later made the fortress their home. Nine of the towers in the fortress also look like pigeons nests. Because of its strategic location, this medieval castle was the place of many battles between the Turks, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Serbs, and Austrians and changed ownership often. In 1867, Golubac finally transferred to Serbia after losing its strategic importance.
  • The Roman Catholic Name of Mary Church in the city of Novi Sad in northern Serbia is the tallest structure in the city (52 m; 171 ft). First constructed in the 11th century, it was demolished in various wars and fires but rebuilt each time. The current version dates to 1891.
  • Smederevo Fortress, located 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Belgrade, is in the center of Smederevo city. The fortification was built between 1427 and 1439 as a temporary capital of Serbia during the Middle Ages after Belgrade was given to the Hungarians. The triangular shape of the fortress derives from its location at the confluence of the Jezava and Danube Rivers.

Serbia Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL (since 1 April 2022)

embassy: 92 Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica, 11040 Belgrade

mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070

telephone: [381] (11) 706-4000

FAX: [381] (11) 706-4481

email address and website:
belgradeacs@state.gov

https://rs.usembassy.gov/

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 492,963/female 463,995)

15-64 years: 65.6% (male 2,198,591/female 2,168,113)

65 years and over: 20% (2024 est.) (male 551,197/female 777,353)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Serbia. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

44 00 N, 21 00 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Heliports

8 (2024)

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina
Area comparison map

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription abolished in 2011 (2024)

note: as of 2024, women made up about 11% of the military's full-time personnel

Background

In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. The monarchy remained in power until 1945, when the communist Partisans headed by Josip Broz (aka TITO) took control of the newly created Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). After TITO died in 1980, communism in Yugoslavia gradually gave way to resurgent nationalism. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Republic of Serbia, and his calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in 1992, and MILOSEVIC led military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions ultimately failed, and international intervention led to the signing of the Dayton Accords in 1995.

In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo resulted in a brutal Serbian counterinsurgency campaign. Serbia rejected a proposed international settlement, and NATO responded with a bombing campaign that forced Serbian forces to withdraw from Kosovo in June 1999. In 2003, the FRY became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics. In 2006, Montenegro seceded and declared itself an independent nation. 

In 2008, Kosovo also declared independence -- an action Serbia still refuses to recognize. In 2013, Serbia and Kosovo signed the first agreement of principles governing the normalization of relations between the two countries. Additional agreements were reached in 2015 and 2023, but implementation remains incomplete. Serbia has been an official candidate for EU membership since 2012, and President Aleksandar VUCIC has promoted the ambitious goal of Serbia joining the EU by 2025.

Environment - current issues

air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube; inadequate management of domestic, industrial, and hazardous waste

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Population below poverty line

21.2% (2020 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.5% (2021 est.)

highest 10%: 25.9% (2021 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

insulated wire, copper ore, plastic products, electricity, rubber tires (2022)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Germany 13%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 7%, Italy 7%, Hungary 6%, Romania 4% (2022)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

117 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina) and 28 cities (gradovi, singular - grad)

municipalities: Ada*, Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Alibunar*, Apatin*, Arandelovac, Arilje, Babusnica, Bac*, Backa Palanka*, Backa Topola*, Backi Petrovac*, Bajina Basta, Batocina, Becej*, Bela Crkva*, Bela Palanka, Beocin*, Blace, Bogatic, Bojnik, Boljevac, Bosilegrad, Brus, Bujanovac, Cajetina, Cicevac, Coka*, Crna Trava, Cuprija, Despotovac, Dimitrov, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Golubac, Gornji Milanovac, Indija*, Irig*, Ivanjica, Kanjiza*, Kladovo, Knic, Knjazevac, Koceljeva, Kosjeric, Kovacica*, Kovin*, Krupanj, Kucevo, Kula*, Kursumlija, Lajkovac, Lapovo, Lebane, Ljig, Ljubovija, Lucani, Majdanpek, Mali Idos*, Mali Zvornik, Malo Crnice, Medveda, Merosina, Mionica, Negotin, Nova Crnja*, Nova Varos, Novi Becej*, Novi Knezevac*, Odzaci*, Opovo*, Osecina, Paracin, Pecinci*, Petrovac na Mlavi, Plandiste*, Pozega, Presevo, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raca, Raska, Razanj, Rekovac, Ruma*, Secanj*, Senta*, Sid*, Sjenica, Smederevska Palanka, Sokobanja, Srbobran*, Sremski Karlovci*, Stara Pazova*, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Svrljig, Temerin*, Titel*, Topola, Trgoviste, Trstenik, Tutin, Ub, Varvarin, Velika Plana, Veliko Gradiste, Vladicin Han, Vladimirci, Vlasotince, Vrbas*, Vrnjacka Banja, Zabalj*, Zabari, Zagubica, Zitiste*, Zitorada

cities: Beograd (Belgrade), Bor, Cacak, Jagodina, Kikinda*, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krusevac, Leskovac, Loznica, Nis, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad*, Pancevo*, Pirot, Pozarevac, Prokuplje, Sabac, Smederevo, Sombor*, Sremska Mitrovica*, Subotica*, Uzice, Valjevo, Vranje, Vrsac*, Zajecar, Zrenjanin*



note: the northern 37 municipalities and 8 cities - about 28% of Serbia's area - compose the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and are indicated with *

Agricultural products

maize, wheat, sugar beets, milk, sunflower seeds, potatoes, plums, apples, barley, soybeans (2022)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Military and security forces

Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Army (aka Land Forces; includes Riverine Component, consisting of a naval flotilla on the Danube), Air and Air Defense Forces, Serbian Guard

Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs: General Police Directorate (2024)

note: the Serbian Guard is a brigade-sized unit that is directly subordinate to the Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff; its duties include safeguarding key defense facilities and rendering military honors to top foreign, state, and military officials 

Budget

revenues: $26.077 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $23.693 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Capital

name: Belgrade (Beograd)

geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the Serbian "Beograd" means "white fortress" or "white city" and dates back to the 9th century; the name derives from the white fortress wall that once enclosed the city

Imports - commodities

electricity, crude petroleum, natural gas, plastic products, packaged medicine (2022)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well-distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

history: many previous; latest adopted 30 September 2006, approved by referendum 28-29 October 2006, effective 8 November 2006

amendments: proposed by at least one third of deputies in the National Assembly, by the president of the republic, by the government, or by petition of at least 150,000 voters; passage of proposals and draft amendments each requires at least two-thirds majority vote in the Assembly; amendments to constitutional articles including the preamble, constitutional principles, and human and minority rights and freedoms also require passage by simple majority vote in a referendum

Exchange rates

Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
108.403 (2023 est.)
111.662 (2022 est.)
99.396 (2021 est.)
103.163 (2020 est.)
105.25 (2019 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Aleksandar VUCIC (since 31 May 2017)

head of government: Prime Minister Milos VUCEVIC (since 2 May 2024)

cabinet: Cabinet elected by the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 December 2023 (next to be held in 2028); prime minister elected by the National Assembly

election results:
2022: Aleksandar VUCIC reelected in first round; percent of vote - Aleksandar VUCIC (SNS) 60%, Zdravko PONOS (US) 18.9%, Milos JOVANOVIC (NADA) 6.1%, Bosko OBRADOVIC (Dveri-POKS) 4.5%, Milica DJURDJEVIC STAMENKOVSKI (SSZ) 4.3%, other 6.2%

2017: Aleksandar VUCIC elected president in first round; percent of vote - Aleksandar VUCIC (SNS) 55.1%, Sasa JANKOVIC (independent) 16.4%, Luka MAKSIMOVIC (independent) 9.4%, Vuk JEREMIC (independent) 5.7%, Vojislav SESELJ (SRS) 4.5%, other 7.3%, invalid/blank 1.6%; Prime Minister Ana BRNABIC reelected by the National Assembly on 5 October 2020; National Assembly vote - NA

Flag description

three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white - the Pan-Slav colors representing freedom and revolutionary ideals; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side; the principal field of the coat of arms represents the Serbian state and displays a white two-headed eagle on a red shield; a smaller red shield on the eagle represents the Serbian nation, and is divided into four quarters by a white cross; interpretations vary as to the meaning and origin of the white, curved symbols resembling firesteels (fire strikers) or Cyrillic "C's" in each quarter; a royal crown surmounts the coat of arms

note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia

Illicit drugs

drug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of of large quantities of cocaine destined for European markets

Independence

5 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro); notable earlier dates: 1217 (Serbian Kingdom established); 16 April 1346 (Serbian Empire established); 13 July 1878 (Congress of Berlin recognizes Serbian independence); 1 December 1918 (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia) established)

Industries

automobiles, base metals, furniture, food processing, machinery, chemicals, sugar, tires, clothes, pharmaceuticals

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of 36 judges, including the court president); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 judges, including the court president and vice president)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices proposed by the High Judicial Council (HJC), an 11-member independent body consisting of  8 judges elected by the National Assembly and 3 ex-officio members; justices appointed by the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges elected - 5 each by the National Assembly, the president, and the Supreme Court of Cassation; initial appointment of Supreme Court judges by the HJC is 3 years and beyond that period tenure is permanent; Constitutional Court judges elected for 9-year terms

subordinate courts: basic courts, higher courts, appellate courts; courts of special jurisdiction include the Administrative Court, commercial courts, and misdemeanor courts

Land boundaries

total: 2,322 km

border countries (8): Bosnia and Herzegovina 345 km; Bulgaria 344 km; Croatia 314 km; Hungary 164 km; Kosovo 366 km; North Macedonia 101 km; Montenegro 157 km; Romania 531 km

Land use

agricultural land: 57.9% (2018 est.)

arable land: 37.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 3.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 16.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 31.6% (2018 est.)

other: 10.5% (2018 est.)

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Assembly or Narodna Skupstina (250 seats; members directly elected by party list proportional representation vote in a single nationwide constituency to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 17 December 2023 (next to be held in 2027)

election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - Serbia Must Stop 48%, SPN 24.4%, SPS-JS-ZS 6.7%, NADA 5.2%, MI-GIN 4.8%, Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians 1.7%, SPP-DSHV 0.8%, SDAS 0.6%, Political Battle of the Albanians Continues 0.4%, RS-NKPJ 0.3%, other 7.1%; seats by party/coalition - Serbia Must Stop 128, SPN 65, SPS-JS-ZS 18, NADA 13, MI-GIN 13, Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians 6, SPP-DSHV 3, SDAS 2, Political Battle of the Albanians Continues 1, RS-NKPJ 1; composition - men 155, women 95; percentage of women 38%

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.5%

male: 99.9%

female: 99.1% (2019)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

International organization participation

BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

note: Serbia is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership

National holiday

Statehood Day, 15 February (1835), the day the first constitution of the country was adopted

Nationality

noun: Serb(s)

adjective: Serbian

Natural resources

oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land

Geography - note

landlocked; controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East

Economic overview

upper middle-income Balkan economy; current EU accession candidate; hit by COVID-19; pursuing green growth development; manageable public debt; new anticorruption efforts; falling unemployment; historic Russian relations; energy import-dependent

Pipelines

1,936 km gas, 413 km oil

Political parties

Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM or VMSZ 
Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina or DSHV 
Democratic Party or DS 
Ecological Uprising or EU 
Green - Left Front or ZLF 
Greens of Serbia or ZS 
Justice and Reconciliation Party or SPP (formerly Bosniak Democratic Union of Sandzak or BDZS)
Movement for Reversal or PZP 
Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia or POKS 
Movement of Free Citizens or PSG 
Movement of Socialists or PS 
National Democratic Alternative or NADA (electoral coalition includes NDSS and POKS)
New Communist Party of Yugoslavia or NKPJ 
New Democratic Party of Serbia or NDSS or New DSS  (formerly Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS)
New Face of Serbia or NLS 
Party of Democratic Action of the Sandzak or SDAS 
Party of Freedom and Justice or SSP 
Party of United Pensioners, Farmers, and Proletarians of Serbia – Solidarity and Justice or PUPS - Solidarity and Justice (formerly Party of United Pensioners of Serbia or PUPS)
People's Movement of Serbia or NPS 
People's Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija or Fatherland 
People's Peasant Party or NSS 
Political Battle of the Albanians Continues 
Russian Party or RS 
Serbia Against Violence or SPN (electoral coalition includes DS, SSP, ZLF, Zajedno, NPS, PSG, EU, PZP, USS Sloga, NLS, Fatherland)
Serbia Must Not Stop (electoral coalitions includes SNS, SDPS, PUPS, PSS, SNP, SPO, PS, NSS, USS)
Serbian People's Party or SNP 
Serbian Progressive Party or SNS 
Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO 
Social Democratic Party of Serbia or SDPS 
Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS 
Strength of Serbia or PSS 
Together or ZAJEDNO 
United Peasant Party or USS 
United Serbia or JS 
United Trade Unions of Serbia "Sloga" or USS Sloga 
We - The Voice from the People or MI-GIN 

Suffrage

18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: Serbia’s telecom industry has been liberalized in line with the principles of the EU’s regulatory framework for communications, focused on encouraging competition in telecom products and services, and ensuring universal access; considerable network investment has been undertaken in Serbia by incumbent and alternative operators in recent years, despite economic difficulties; this has helped to stimulate internet usage, which has also been bolstered by improved affordability as prices are reduced through competition; the pandemic has stimulated consumer take up of services, particularly mobile data; the government’s various initiatives to improve rural broadband availability have also been supported by European development loans; Serbia’s high mobile services, partly the result of multiple SIM card use, has weighed on revenue growth in recent years, placing further pressure on operators to develop business models which encourage consumer use of mobile data services also in response to the continued substitution of fixed-line for mobile voice calls; the regulator has yet to auction 5G-suitable frequencies, though operators are already investing in their networks in preparation for this next growth frontier; during 2021 the regulator resumed the process towards a 5G spectrum auction, which had been delayed owing to the onset of the covid-19 pandemic (2022)

domestic: fixed-line over 37 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 124 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 381

Terrain

extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills

Government type

parliamentary republic

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Serbia

conventional short form: Serbia

local long form: Republika Srbija

local short form: Srbija

former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia

etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain, but seems to be related to the name of the West Slavic Sorbs who reside in the Lusatian region in present-day eastern Germany; by tradition, the Serbs migrated from that region to the Balkans in about the 6th century A.D.

Location

Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary

Map references

Europe

Irrigated land

520 sq km (2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Vladimir MARIC (since 30 April 2024)

chancery: 1333 16th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 507-8654

FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933

email address and website:
info@serbiaembusa.org

http://www.washington.mfa.gov.rs/

consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York

Internet country code

.rs

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 17,334 (Croatia), 7,997 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (mid-year 2022)

IDPs: 196,066 (most are Kosovar Serbs, some are Roma, Ashkalis, and Egyptian (RAE); some RAE IDPs are unregistered) (2022)

stateless persons: 2,594 (includes stateless persons in Kosovo) (2022)

note: 1,045,323 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-March 2024)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$75.187 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: BB+ (2019)

Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017)

Standard & Poors rating: BB+ (2019)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Total renewable water resources

162.2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) (note - includes Kosovo)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2021)

Urbanization

urban population: 57.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Kosovo
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 99.7% of population

rural: 99.4% of population

total: 99.5% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population

rural: 0.6% of population

total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Boze pravde" (God of Justice)

lyrics/music: Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO

note: adopted 1904; song originally written as part of a play in 1872 and has been used as an anthem by the Serbian people throughout the 20th and 21st centuries
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Serbia. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

1.408 million BELGRADE (capital) (2023)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physician density

3.11 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Hospital bed density

5.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)

National symbol(s)

white double-headed eagle; national colors: red, blue, white

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.2 years (2020 est.)

note: data does not cover Kosovo or Metohija

Contraceptive prevalence rate

62.3% (2019)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 67.3% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 15.9% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.7% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: -1.3% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 59.9% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -64.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 53.8

youth dependency ratio: 21.9

elderly dependency ratio: 31.9

potential support ratio: 3.1 (2021 est.)

note: data include Kosovo

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Serbia

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 43

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,262,703 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 17.71 million (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

YU

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 99.6% of population

rural: 95.7% of population

total: 97.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population

rural: 4.3% of population

total: 2.1% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Serb 83.3%, Hungarian 3.5%, Romani 2.1%, Bosniak 2%, other 5.7%, undeclared or unknown 3.4% (2011 est.)

note: most ethnic Albanians boycotted the 2011 census; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Serbia's population

Religions

Orthodox 84.6%, Catholic 5%, Muslim 3.1%, Protestant 1%, atheist 1.1%, other 0.8% (includes agnostics, other Christians, Eastern, Jewish), undeclared or unknown 4.5% (2011 est.)

note: most ethnic Albanians boycotted the 2011 census

Languages

Serbian (official) 88.1%, Hungarian 3.4%, Bosnian 1.9%, Romani 1.4%, other 3.4%, undeclared or unknown 1.8% (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: Serbian, Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Croatian, and Ruthenian (Rusyn) are official in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina; most ethnic Albanians boycotted the 2011 census
Serbian audio sample

Imports - partners

Germany 11%, China 8%, Hungary 8%, Russia 7%, Italy 6% (2022)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, Serbia was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/serbia/

Elevation

highest point: Midzor 2,169 m

lowest point: Danube and Timok Rivers 35 m

mean elevation: 442 m

Current health expenditure

8.7% of GDP (2020)

Military - note

the Serbian military is responsible for defense and deterrence against external threats, supporting international peacekeeping operations, and providing support to civil authorities for internal security; specific threat concerns of the military include extremism, separatism, and deepening international recognition of Kosovo; Serbia has cooperated with NATO since 2006, when it joined the Partnership for Peace program, and the military trains with NATO countries, particularly other Balkan states; Serbia has participated in EU peacekeeping missions, as well as missions under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the UN; it also maintains close security ties with Russia and has a growing security relationship with China

the modern Serbian military was established in 2006 but traces its origins back through World War II, World War I, the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, and the Bulgarian-Serb War of 1885 to the First (1804-1813) and Second (1815-1817) Uprisings against the Ottoman Empire (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 25,000 active-duty troops (15,000 Land Forces; 5,000 Air/Air Defense; 5,000 other); approximately 3,000 Gendarmerie (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the military's inventory consists of a mix of domestically produced, Russian/Soviet-era, and Yugoslav equipment and weapons systems; in recent years, it has purchased some weapons systems from China, such as anti-aircraft missiles and armed aerial drones (2024)

Military deployments

180 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2024)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 680 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 3.99 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 660 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.84 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 13,984 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.8% (2015 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 22.9% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 8.4% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 21.74 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 45.22 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 11.96 megatons (2020 est.)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 4 (all cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Stari Ras and Sopoćani; Studenica Monastery; Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius; Stećci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 1.2%

women married by age 18: 5.5% (2019 est.)

Coal

production: 35.129 million metric tons (2022 est.)

consumption: 38.297 million metric tons (2022 est.)

exports: 9,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

imports: 1.641 million metric tons (2022 est.)

proven reserves: 7.514 billion metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 68.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind: 2.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity: 27.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Natural gas

production: 353.376 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

consumption: 2.939 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

imports: 2.652 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves: 48.139 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 82,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 77.5 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.71 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

60.8% (2023 est.)

Remittances

7.68% of GDP (2023 est.)
8.97% of GDP (2022 est.)
7.29% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 1

global geoparks and regional networks: Djerdap (2023)

Labor force

3.333 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 24.3% (2023 est.)

male: 23.2% (2023 est.)

female: 26.1% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 43.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 42.4 years

female: 45.4 years

Debt - external

(2019)

Maternal mortality ratio

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$27.569 billion (2023 est.)
$20.68 billion (2022 est.)
$18.617 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Waterways

587 km (2009) (primarily on the Danube and Sava Rivers)

Public debt

62.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.46 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Military expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
2% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.68% (2023 est.)
8.68% (2022 est.)
10.06% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

total: 6,652,212

male: 3,242,751

female: 3,409,461 (2024 est.)

Internet users

total: 5.589 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 81% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

42.933 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 27.399 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 10.06 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 5.474 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Area

total : 77,474 sq km

land: 77,474 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

25.11% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$162.213 billion (2023 est.)
$158.214 billion (2022 est.)
$154.28 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Roadways

total: 45,022 km (2022)

Airports

43 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 8.621 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 124 (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

33.1 (2021 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

12.37% (2023 est.)
11.98% (2022 est.)
4.09% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

-$1.954 billion (2023 est.)
-$4.457 billion (2022 est.)
-$2.654 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$24,500 (2023 est.)
$23,700 (2022 est.)
$22,600 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 1,730,496 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 39.8% (2020 est.)

male: 40.5% (2020 est.)

female: 39.1% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.5% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

89.037 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Death rate

14.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

8.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 8.075 million kW (2022 est.)

consumption: 30.678 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports: 5.613 billion kWh (2022 est.)

imports: 8.236 billion kWh (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 4.494 billion kWh (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1% (2019)

Imports

$48.216 billion (2023 est.)
$47.395 billion (2022 est.)
$39.476 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$44.343 billion (2023 est.)
$39.905 billion (2022 est.)
$34.035 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 2.539 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2021 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 7.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 3.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 1.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 2.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 72.7 years

female: 78.1 years

Real GDP growth rate

2.53% (2023 est.)
2.55% (2022 est.)
7.73% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

3.62% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Railways

total: 3,333 km (2020) 1,274 km electrified

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 5.2% (2023 est.)

industry: 26.4% (2023 est.)

services: 51.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0.38% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0.25% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

3.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.61% (2024 est.)
Sources: