Country explorer: Serbia

Serbia has experienced substantial economic transitions marked by improved GDP per capita, shifts in poverty distribution reflecting a reduction in extreme poverty and population under poverty thresholds, fluctuations in unemployment rates with a general trend of reduction, and varied inflation rates indicating periods of economic instability and recovery—all reflective of broader societal transformations parallel to those in Eastern European countries, with distinct challenges like high inflation and unemployment rates gradually being addressed.

Serbia has experienced a demographic shift characterized by a gradually declining population, modest improvements in life expectancy, fluctuating net migration with recent increases, and a slightly fluctuating but generally stable fertility rate, mirroring trends common in Eastern European countries.

Serbia has shown notable progress in access to basic needs, including a steady increase in access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, and safely managed drinking water, alongside a significant improvement in sanitation facilities, reflecting broader societal advancements and aligning with trends in upper-middle-income countries.

Serbia has showcased steady progress in human development, as evidenced by improvements in the Human Development Index, reductions in child mortality rates, rising literacy levels, and enhancements in average learning-adjusted years of schooling, aligning its trajectory with regional and upper-middle-income country trends.

Serbia has experienced a stable increase in forest area amidst fluctuating per capita CO₂ emissions, a broad shift towards renewable and diverse energy sources, and a mild decline in per capita renewable freshwater resources, reflecting efforts towards environmental conservation and energy transition similar to trends observed in other upper-middle-income countries.

Serbia has experienced significant growth in internet usage, mobile subscriptions, and scientific publishing, aligning its technological and innovation landscape more closely with upper-middle-income countries, while continuing to invest in research and development at a pace that suggests a steady commitment to enhancing its scientific and technological capabilities.

Serbia has exhibited a modest increase in international migration, a notable improvement in self-reported life satisfaction, a gradual decrease in gender inequalities, and a consistent rise in age dependency ratio, collectively suggesting progressive societal changes analogous to regional trends, yet distinct in the nuanced balance of traditional values and modernization influences.

Serbia has experienced notable fluctuations in governance indicators, including a decline in the rule of law and press freedom, showcasing challenges in judicial independence, press freedom, and political civil liberties, underscoring a complex journey of governance that mirrors the varied experiences of transition witnessed by some of its Balkan neighbors and upper-middle-income countries.