Country Profile: Serbia

Serbia, located in Southeastern Europe, is a landlocked country bordered by Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. With a population of approximately 6.65 million, it features a diverse cultural heritage stemming from its historical ties to the former Yugoslavia. The nation is characterized by an upper middle-income economy that shows signs of growth and stability, with a focus on EU accession. Serbia operates as a parliamentary republic with a strong emphasis on governance reform and modernization efforts.

Geography

Serbia is situated in Southeastern Europe, bordered by several countries including Hungary and North Macedonia, and has no coastline due to being landlocked. The country's terrain is varied, featuring fertile plains in the north, mountainous regions in the southeast, and significant natural resources, including minerals and arable land.

Area: 77,474 sq km (slightly smaller than South Carolina)
Natural resources include oil, gas, coal, copper, and gold.
Elevation: Highest point is Midzor at 2,169 m, and the lowest is 35 m at the Danube and Timok Rivers.
Climate: Varied, with continental and Mediterranean influences.

People and Society

Serbia has a population of approximately 6.65 million people, primarily composed of ethnic Serbs, with notable minorities including Hungarians and Romani. The official language is Serbian, and the country exhibits a high literacy rate of 99.3%. The society is predominantly Serbian Orthodox, with a significant history of cultural and religious diversity.

Urban population: 57.1% (2023)
Life expectancy: 75.3 years (2024)
Median age: 44.1 years (2025)
Literacy: 99.3% overall (2022)

Economy

Serbia's economy is classified as upper middle-income and is currently a candidate for EU membership. It shows resilience with a GDP of approximately $177.1 billion in purchasing power parity for 2024. The country's economic structure is diverse, with significant contributions from the services sector.

GDP per capita: $26,900 (2024)
Real GDP growth rate: 3.9% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 7.4% (2024)
Poverty rate: 20% of the population below the poverty line (2021)

Government

Serbia is a parliamentary republic with a legal system based on civil law. The government is structured with a president and a prime minister, supported by a unicameral National Assembly. The country has experienced significant political changes, especially since the dissolution of Yugoslavia and is undergoing reforms to align with EU standards.

Capital: Belgrade
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years, or 16 if employed
National Assembly: 250 members, elected every four years
Latest election: 17 December 2023

Military and Security

The Serbian Armed Forces include the Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, and police units under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Serbia maintains a focus on civil security and has participated in various international peacekeeping missions, showcasing its commitment to regional stability.

Active military personnel: Approximately 25,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024)
Conscription: Abolished in 2011; voluntary service at 18 years
Current deployments: About 180 in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

Energy

Serbia's energy sector is largely reliant on fossil fuels, with a significant portion of electricity generated from coal. The country is investing in renewable energy sources and infrastructure improvements to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.

Electricity access: 100% (2022)
Installed electricity capacity: 8.202 million kW (2023)
Total energy consumption per capita: 91.884 million Btu (2023)
Coal production: 33.219 million metric tons (2023)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Serbia include air pollution, water pollution, and waste management issues. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, focusing on biodiversity and climate change initiatives.

Urban population: 57.1% (2023)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 44.782 million metric tonnes (2023)
Waste generated annually: Approximately 2.347 million tons (2024 est.)
Renewable water resources: 162.2 billion cubic meters (2022)

Transportation

Serbia's transportation infrastructure includes extensive road and rail networks, facilitating regional connectivity. The country has multiple airports and heliports to support both domestic and international travel.

Airports: 46 (2025 est.)
Railways: 3,333 km, with 1,274 km electrified (2020)
Civil aircraft registration: Prefix YU

Communications

Serbia has a growing communications sector, with high mobile subscription rates and significant internet access, allowing for improved connectivity across the country.

Internet users: 85% of the population (2023)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 8.53 million (2023)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 2.485 million (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,652,212 (2024 est.)
Area	77,474 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$177.1 billion	2024 est.
Unemployment Rate	7.4% (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	91.884 million Btu/person (2023)
Life Expectancy	75.3 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	99.3% (2022 est.)
Military Expenditure	2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Urban Population	57.1% (2023)