Country Profile: Serbia

Serbia is a landlocked country located in Southeastern Europe, bordered by Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. With a population of approximately 6.65 million people, the nation has a rich cultural history rooted in its Slavic heritage. Serbia's economy is classified as upper middle-income, with a significant reliance on energy imports and a growing focus on green development. The country operates as a parliamentary republic, with aspirations for European Union membership, which it has been pursuing since being granted candidate status in 2012.

Geography

Serbia is situated between Macedonia and Hungary, characterized by diverse terrain that includes fertile plains in the north and ancient mountains in the southeast. The country has a total area of 77,474 square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than South Carolina, and its climate varies between continental and Mediterranean influences.

77,474 sq km - Total area of Serbia.
0 km - Serbia has no coastline as it is landlocked.
2,322 km - Total land borders with neighboring countries.
44 00 N, 21 00 E - Geographic coordinates.

People and Society

The population of Serbia is estimated at 6,652,212 in 2024, with a relatively balanced gender distribution. The majority ethnic group is Serb (83.3%), followed by minorities including Hungarians and Romani. Serbian is the official language, and the predominant religion is Serbian Orthodox Christianity.

14.4% - Population aged 0-14 years (2024).
65.6% - Population aged 15-64 years (2024).
20% - Population aged 65 and over (2024).
99.3% - Literacy rate among the total population (2022).

Economy

Serbia's economy is undergoing transformation as it seeks EU integration, with a focus on sustainable development. The GDP is projected to reach approximately $177.1 billion in 2024, with a real GDP growth rate of 3.9%. The economy is primarily driven by the services sector, which constitutes 58.5% of total GDP.

$177.1 billion - Estimated GDP in 2024 (purchasing power parity).
7.4% - Unemployment rate (2024).
3.1% - Agriculture's contribution to GDP (2024).
62.7% - Household consumption as a percentage of GDP (2024).

Government

Serbia is a parliamentary republic, with significant political history marked by its transition from a monarchy to a socialist regime, and finally to its current government structure. The capital is Belgrade, and the country operates under a civil law system with a constitution adopted on November 8, 2006.

18 years - Minimum voting age, reduced to 16 if employed.
250 - Seats in the unicameral National Assembly.
Aleksandar VUCIC - President since May 31, 2017.
Djuro MACUT - Prime Minister since April 16, 2025.

Military and Security

The Serbian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, and Serbian Guard, with an active personnel strength of approximately 25,000. Serbia maintains a military expenditure of 2.5% of GDP, with a focus on modernizing its defense capabilities and participating in international peacekeeping missions.

25,000 - Active-duty personnel in the Serbian Armed Forces (2025).
180 - Number of Serbian military personnel deployed in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025).
2.5% - Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024).
Voluntary military service - Introduced as conscription was abolished in 2011.

Energy

Energy consumption in Serbia is increasingly a focus of development, with 100% of the population having access to electricity. The country relies significantly on fossil fuels for its energy needs, with coal being a primary resource. Renewable sources, including hydroelectric and solar, are also part of the energy mix.

65.1% - Percentage of electricity generated from fossil fuels (2023).
100% - Total population electrification (2022).
8.202 million kW - Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
34.413 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023).

Environment

Serbia faces environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, primarily from industrial activities. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements and aims to improve its environmental practices through better management of waste and resources.

40.4% - Percentage of land classified as agricultural (2023).
44.782 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023).
2.347 million tons - Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024).
1% - Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).

Transportation

Serbia's transportation infrastructure includes a network of roads, railways, and civil aviation facilities. The railway system spans approximately 3,333 kilometers, with plans for modernization to improve efficiency and connectivity.

3,333 km - Total length of railways (2020).
46 - Number of airports (2025).
11 - Number of heliports (2025).

Communications

Serbia has a robust telecommunications framework, with a high rate of internet penetration and mobile subscriptions. The country is moving towards expanding its digital infrastructure to enhance connectivity for its citizens.

85% - Percentage of the population with internet access (2023).
8.53 million - Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
2.485 million - Total fixed-line subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,652,212	2024 estimate
Area	77,474 sq km	-
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)	$177.1 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	7.4%	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	91.884 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Literacy Rate	99.3%	2022 estimate
Military Expenditure	2.5% of GDP	2024 estimate
CO2 Emissions	44.782 million metric tonnes	2023 estimate
Annual Municipal Solid Waste	2.347 million tons	2024 estimate
Agricultural Land	40.4%	2023 estimate