Form of Government: Republic
Area: 77 589 sq km
Population: 6 945 235 inhab. (estimate 2019)
Density: 89.51 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 46° - 42° N; long. 19° - 23° E
Capital: Belgrade=Beograd (capital) 1 378 682 inhab. (2017); Belgrado=Beograd 1 690 193 inhab. (2018), urban agglomeration
Currency: Serbian dinar (100 para)
Human development index: 0.799 (rank: 63)
President: Aleksandar Vučić (SNS), since 31 May 2017
Prime Minister: Ana Brnabić (SNS), since 29 June 2017
National Assembly: seats based on the elections of 21 June 2020: Serbian Progressive Party-SNS (populist conservative), 158; Socialist Party of Serbia-SPS, 23; Serbian Patriotic Alliance (centre-right), 11; Social Democratic Party of Serbia-SDP, 9; United Pensioners, 9; Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, 9; United Serbia (conservative), 7; minor parties (SNS coalition), 12; others, 12
Internet: www.stat.gov.rs (Statistical Office)
Member of CEFTA, Council of Europe, EBRD, OAS observer, OSCE, UN, WTO observer
Serbia

International license plate code SRB
International dialling code 00381
Travel vaccinations requirement none
Electricity (Voltage) 220
Driving side rigth
Internet code .rs
GMT +1
DST +2
DST duration (start-end) late March-late October
Annual average temperature (°C) Belgrade 11.9
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Belgrade 0/22.5
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Belgrade 9/2
Annual average precipitation (mm) Belgrade 695
Days of rainfall (annual average) Belgrade 88

The general elections scheduled to take place on 26 April 2020, already boycotted by the opposition, were postponed due to the COVID-19 emergency. On 21 June 2020, the coalition led by President Aleksandar Vučić (SNS) won a landslide victory, with 63% of the vote and 188 seats, despite the fact that the election had been hotly disputed. The elections were followed by mass protests against Vučić and government policies.
Geography.
Serbia is bordered to the north by Hungary, to the north-east by Romania, to the east by Bulgaria, to the south by North Macedonia and Kosovo, to the west by Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina and to the north-west by Croatia. The country mostly consists of plains in the north and is mountainous in the south. It is crossed by the Danube which is joined by the Tisza, Morava and Sava rivers.
In the south-east there are the western foothills of the Balkans, to the south-west the Albanian Alps. The climate is typified by cold winters, hot summers and heavy rainfall.
Government
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (which became the Confederation of Serbia and Montenegro in 2003) came into being on 27 April 1992 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia (which included Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia, apart from Serbia and Montenegro).
Serbia adopted its current borders following the proclamation of independence of Montenegro (3 June 2006), which had been seeking secession since 2000, approved by an agreement of 2002. Kosovo’s current situation is different, however: having proclaimed its independence on 17 February 2008, it has been recognized by the USA and many other nations but not by the UN. With EU mediation, an agreement was signed between Kosovo and Serbia on 19 April 2013, which – it is hoped – will lead to normalised relations. In 2012, Serbia was granted the candidate country status for EU membership, but the signing of a legally binding agreement with Kosovo remains a necessary condition: negotiations between the parties, interrupted in 2018, resumed in 2020.
The President of the Republic is elected by direct suffrage for five years. The Prime Minister has to have the support of the National Assembly, which is made up of 250 members elected by direct suffrage for a four-year term.
Administrative division
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Belgrade=Beograd | 1 378 682 | inhab. | 2017 |
Novi Sad | 291 706 | inhab. | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Belgrado=Beograd | 1 690 193 | inhab. | 2018 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2018) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
MALE | AGE | FEMALE |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 9.3 | ‰ | 2019 |
Death rate | 14.6 | ‰ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Serb | 83.3 | % | 2011 |
other | 6.2 | % | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Orthodox | 84.6 | % | 2011 |
Catholic | 5 | % | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
Albanian |
Serbian (official) |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 14.4 | % | 2018 |
15-29 years | 17.4 | % | 2018 |
Economy
Economic situation.
After two years of 4% growth, the Serbian economy was impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown measures, including a curfew, and is expected to shrink by 4% in 2020. It is, however, expected to bounce back in 2021 (+6%). Kosovo removed restrictions on importing Serbian goods.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 105.03 | index | 2016 |
Balance of trade | -7 101 | M US$ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 3 236 600 | units | 2019 |
Active population, Females | 44.6 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 10.5 | % | 2019 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 47.6 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 2 289 671.9 | M LCU | 2019 |
Revenues | 2 278 558.4 | M LCU | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 15.6 | % | 2019 |
industry | 27.4 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 7.4 | % | 2019 |
industry | 30.9 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 208.119 | BN LCU | 2019 |
International reserves | 14 994.7 | M US$ | 2019 |
Agriculture
Primary sector.
The most important cereal crops are maize and wheat. Fruit trees are widely grown, in particular plums. Wine production is also widespread. Amongst industrial-scale products it is worth mentioning tobacco, hempseed, sunflower seeds and linseed. Livestock farming mainly concerns pig farming, followed in order of importance by sheep, cattle and poultry. Beekeeping is also fairly important.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 31.78 | % | 2015 |
forests | 31.1 | % | 2015 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 410.138 | 1000 t | 2018 |
cereals, total | 10 550.204 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 487.909 | 1000 t | 2018 |
roots and tubers, total | 494.704 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 209.353 | 1000 t | 2018 |
carrots and turnips | 22.203 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 11.14 | 1000 t | 2018 |
beans, green | 26.622 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grapes | 149.474 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
rapeseed | 135.422 | 1000 t | 2018 |
soybeans | 645.607 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mustard seed | 2.36 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
hops | 0.028 | 1000 t | 2018 |
sugar beet | 2 325.303 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 460.404 | 1000 t | 2018 |
apricots | 25.414 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
hazelnuts | 5.428 | 1000 t | 2018 |
walnuts | 9.772 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mushrooms | 5.4 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 105.74 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
maize | 901.753 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 28.232 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 8.251 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
carrots and turnips | 1.385 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 9.112 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
beans, green | 16.144 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grape | 20.333 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
rapeseed | 45.628 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
soybeans | 196.472 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mustard seed | 2.919 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
hops | 0.02 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
sugar beet | 48.125 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 25.917 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
apricots | 5.86 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
hazelnuts | 4.363 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
walnuts | 2.798 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 7 959 000 | m³ | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 878.336 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
cattle and buffaloes | 878.336 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
pigs | 2 782.282 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 1 711.677 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 195.932 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
equines, total | 14.973 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
horses | 14.973 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 16 133 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
honey | 11.427 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
butter | 3.915 | 1000 t | 2014 |
cheese | 37.5 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
freshwater fishes | 7 537.57 | t | 2018 |
total catch | 9 420.7 | t | 2018 |
Minerals
Secondary sector.
Coal extraction and use remain central, but in 2019 an announcement was made regarding the conclusion of work on the Serbian section of the TurkStream gas pipeline from Russia, a source of considerable investment. Oil refineries (mostly imported from Russia) are based in Pančevo and Novi Sad. There are hydroelectric power stations in the Iron Gates dam (Đerdap), on the Danube, managed with Romania, while a wind farm was opened in Alibunar. An agreement has also been signed with Russia regarding nuclear energy for civic purposes. A new combined cycle thermal power station is being constructed in Pančevo.
Metal-working plants produce both refined and foundry copper, lead, zinc and nickel. The chemical industry is based at Šabac and Bor (sulfuric acid). In the manufacturing industry, the automobile sector is important (production at the FCA plant in Kragujevac), as is the production of machinery for agriculture and factories, machine tools and oil and mining equipment. Niš is the centre of the electronics industry. The textiles industry is still important, while timber is an old and well-established sector. The milling industry is mainly located in Vojvodina; there are also facilities for sugar production and refining.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
coal, total | 38 956.3 | 1000 t | 2019 |
lignite | 38 956.3 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
copper | 41.3 | 1000 t | 2016 |
lead | 2.4 | 1000 t | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
feldspar | 3.5 | 1000 t | 2011 |
gypsum | 45 | 1000 t | 2011 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
kaolin | 253 | 1000 t | 2016 |
marble - t | 131 | 1000 t | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
palladium | 38 | kg | 2018 |
platinum | 2 | kg | 2018 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 24 947 | M kWh | 2018 |
- hydro | 10 527 | M kWh | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 4 368 | 1000 kW | 2017 |
- hydro | 2 424 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 35 537 | M kWh | 2018 |
total installed capacity | 7 454 | 1000 kW | 2017 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
aluminium | 36 | 1000 t | 2016 |
copper | 61.3 | 1000 t | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bikes | 110 124 | no. | 2016 |
cars | 34 985 | no. | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
computers | 48 178 | no. | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bitumen | 707 | 1000 t | 2018 |
petrol | 632 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
ammonia | 60 | 1000 t | 2017 |
fertilizers | 675.9 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
carpets | 5 393 | 1000 m² | 2018 |
cotton fabrics | 1.83 | M m² | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
footwear | 6 454 000 | pairs | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beer of barley | 522.9 | 1000 t | 2014 |
maize oil | 0.6 | 1000 t | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cigarettes | 34 577 | M units | 2018 |
cigars and cigarettes | 34 577 | M units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
newsprint | 150 | 1000 t | 2018 |
other paper | 407 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 2 093 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chemicals production | 626.9 | M US$ | 2018 |
food, beverages and tobacco production | 1 793.9 | M US$ | 2018 |
Trade
Tertiary sector.
Serbia mainly imports raw materials (crude oil), machinery, electrical products and appliances, consumer goods and foodstuffs. In the pre-COVID period, export has grown thanks also to the contribution of the automotive industry (FCA), but the country continues to show a trade deficit.
Main exports (M US$ - 2017) electrical and electronic equipment 2 132, iron and steel 1 221, machinery and home appliances 1 137, cars 1 058, plastics 839, fruit and vegetables 773, apparel and accessories 668, tyres 611
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Germany | 2 477 | M US$ | 2019 |
Italy | 1 983 | M US$ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Germany | 3 448 | M US$ | 2019 |
Russia | 2 584 | M US$ | 2019 |
Tourism
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 1 837 | M US$ | 2018 |
Number of arrivals | 1 711 000 | units | 2018 |
Communications
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Civil aviation, km flown | 19 700 000 | km flown | 2004 |
Civil aviation, passengers carried | 2 262.7 | 1000 units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Broadband subscribers | 176.326 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
Computers | 258.5 | per 1000 pop. | 2008 |
Social and welfare
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 14.7 | years | 2018 |
Graduates | 45 406 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Teachers, primary level | 18 664 | units | 2018 |
Teachers, secondary level | 67 217 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Social protection spending | 37.5 | % of total expenses | 2012 |
Social protection spending | 19.4 | % of GDP | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 5.82 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
Physicians | 2.85 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
HIV | -0.1 | % of adults | 2018 |
Tuberculosis | 17 | per 100 000 pop. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Archaeological sites | 119 | units | 2004 |
Museums | 149 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Research and development spending | 0.92 | % of GDP | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking | 76.41 | % | 2016 |
Access to electricity | 100 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
clothing, footwear | 4.2 | % | 2018 |
education | 1.3 | % | 2018 |