People and Society of Serbia

Nationality

Serb(s); Montenegrin(s)

Ethnic Groups

Serb 62.6%, Albanian 16.5%, Montenegrin 5%, Hungarian 3.3%, other 12.6%

Population

6,641,197

Population in Major Urban Areas

BELGRADE (capital) 1.135 million

Many doctors and other health care providers in Serbia are highly trained, but the equipment and hygiene in hospitals, clinics, and ambulances are usually not up to Western standards. You can get many medicines and basic medical supplies at private pharmacies, but you should not expect to find the same kinds or brands of medication or medical supplies in Serbia as in the United States. Hospitals usually require payment in cash for all services, and do not accept U.S. health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid as payment.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Serbia stands at approximately 74 to 75 years overall, with notable differences between men and women. Serbian women can expect to live to around 77 to 78 years, while Serbian men have a life expectancy of roughly 72 to 73 years — a gap consistent with broader European and global trends in which women generally outlive men by several years. These figures place Serbia in a moderate position relative to Western European nations, where life expectancies commonly exceed 81 to 82 years, but reflect meaningful improvements achieved over recent decades. During the post-World War II period, life expectancy in Serbia was considerably lower, and gains made through expanded access to healthcare, improved sanitation, and public health education have been substantial. Progress did stall somewhat during the economic disruptions of the 1990s, but a general upward trend has resumed in the years since. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Serbia, accounting for a large share of overall mortality and exerting significant downward pressure on life expectancy compared to countries where such conditions are better managed or less prevalent. Cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory conditions also rank among the primary causes of death. Lifestyle factors play a meaningful role in shaping health outcomes in the country. Serbia has one of the higher rates of tobacco use in Europe, and rates of obesity and sedentary behavior have increased in recent decades. These trends pose ongoing challenges to improving longevity and reducing the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. Regional disparities within Serbia are also worth noting. Urban areas, particularly Belgrade, tend to have somewhat better health indicators and access to medical services compared to rural and economically disadvantaged regions in the south and east of the country, where access to specialized care can be more limited. Serbia's public healthcare system is universal in principle, covering all citizens, and the country has made continued investments in modernizing hospital infrastructure and expanding preventive health programs. International health organizations have encouraged further reforms, particularly in the areas of primary care, mental health services, and addressing the high prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Reducing tobacco use and improving early detection and management of chronic conditions remain among the most pressing public health priorities.

Infant Mortality Rate

Serbia has made significant progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, reflecting improvements in healthcare infrastructure, prenatal care, and public health programs. The country's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 4 to 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it broadly in line with other middle-income European nations and well below the global average of roughly 27 deaths per 1,000 live births. This improvement represents a dramatic shift from earlier periods. In the early 1990s, Serbia's infant mortality rate was considerably higher, exceeding 15 deaths per 1,000 live births. The sustained decline since then reflects investments in neonatal care, expanded access to skilled birth attendants, and stronger public health monitoring systems. The Serbian healthcare system provides universal access to maternal and child health services, including free prenatal check-ups, hospital deliveries, and postnatal care. The vast majority of births in Serbia take place in hospitals or medical facilities, contributing to better outcomes for both mothers and newborns. Neonatal care units have been developed in major medical centers, including in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš, allowing for specialized treatment of premature and high-risk infants. Disparities do exist within the country. Rural areas and certain marginalized communities, including parts of the Roma population, face higher rates of infant mortality due to limited healthcare access, lower rates of health literacy, and socioeconomic challenges. These inequalities remain a focus of ongoing public health efforts supported by international organizations and government initiatives. Serbia has aligned many of its child health policies with European Union standards as part of its broader EU accession process. Programs targeting nutrition, vaccination coverage, and maternal education have helped sustain downward pressure on infant mortality figures. UNICEF and the World Health Organization recognize Serbia's progress as a positive example within the broader Eastern European region, though continued investment in healthcare equity and rural health services will be essential to maintain and improve upon these outcomes in the years ahead.

Major Infectious Diseases

intermediate

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Classroom

More than 70% of schools in rural areas are very old buildings. During the 90s period, the maintenance of schools was neglected. TV news reported about leaky ceilings, drafty windows, etc. Some objects were even closed because of the fear they would collapse. However, in recent years much has been done to improve the situation, fixing the roofs, improving the toilet and sanitation systems. Equipment and tools still are a problem because they are usually very expensive. All schools have desks, books (usually old books) and the basics but very few have computers or any modern equipment. Musical instruments are also quite expensive, so some schools may have a small piano older than 15 years. Also, a substantial percentage of rural kids do not have computers.

Education Culture

Serbia has a big problem with unemployment. Therefore, parents tend to provide the best possible education they can to their kids in hopes that they will be able to provide them with a decent future. There were many public discussions about whether today's education in Serbia is too old and too wide. Because of the civil war in the '90s, education has lost its pace, but many complained that the knowledge is too in-depth and that the children get encyclopedic knowledge they can not cash in after graduation. However, music (theory) and painting will certainly remain dominant classes when it comes to art, but there is a slim chance that drama, journalism, sculpturing, and such will come into the spotlight. In rural areas, the possibilities outside music and painting are virtually non-existent.

Learning

School starts at 8 a.m. and typically ends around 1 p.m. Younger grades naturally leave early. First graders have 30-minute classes, but a normal class period in Serbia is 45 minutes. After the second class (in Serbia called ?as) there is a lunch break. Schools typically do not have lunch halls and pupils in most cases bring their food from home or buy it if there is a store in the vicinity. Homemade food, in most cases, is a sandwich, and stores offer standard fast-food menus (hamburgers, Danish, donuts, crepes). The Teacher (in elementary school, very similar to the homeroom teacher) is in charge of the discipline. Pupils often go to the principal's office for medium-scale and major violations (fight, theft, damage and destruction of property, etc.). Serbian pupils do not wear uniforms. During the class, if adult person enters or exits the room pupils are expected to stand up. If students wish to talk to a teacher in the hall or if the teacher addresses them, the greeting would be dobar dan (good day).

To School

However, getting to school is sometimes a feat of its own. Often, a few villages share one school. Considering the population, this would not be a problem, but from a metric point of view, kids sometimes have to walk two or more hours to school in some areas. Some have a paved or asphalt road, so a local bus can take them at least a part of their way, but in mountain areas, sometimes there are no decent roads, and in winter conditions, going to school is challenging. In cases where there are means of transportation, there are options. In Serbia, there is no school bus service, so kids either take a ride in the local bus or hitch a ride from parents going to work, friends, relatives, or neighbors going the same way. Grandparents often accompany young kids to and from school. It is interesting and, at the same time, alarming that the large number of rural children who finish elementary school never move on to high school or University because of the commuting fee and poverty (renting an apartment in the city, living expenses, tuition fees, etc.)

• Orthodox65.0%
• Muslim19.0%
• other11.0%
• Roman Catholic4.0%
• Protestant1.0%

Serbian 95%, Albanian 5%

• Albanian
• Serbian
• Serbo-Croatian

Crime Information

Belgrade does not have high levels of street crime, but pick-pocketing and purse snatchings do occasionally occur. People traveling to Serbia should take the same precautions in Belgrade as they would in any large city in the United States. Most crimes happen because people let their guard down. Unlocked cars, items left in plain sight in a car, open gates, and open garage doors make attractive targets for thieves. Car thefts or break-ins can happen any time, day or night, in all sections of Belgrade and other parts of the country. Using security devices such as auto alarms, fuel-line interrupter switches, or steering-wheel locking devices may discourage or frustrate auto theft, but no device can guarantee one hundred percent protection against determined thieves. In Serbia, difficult economic conditions have sparked the growth of an organized criminal class, and violent crime is most often associated with organized crime activities. Tourists are almost never the targets of violent crime, but Mafia-style reprisals have occurred, including in places where tourists gather such as hotels, restaurants, shops, and busy streets. When those kinds of crimes happen, innocent bystanders may become victims of crime. You should be especially vigilant in Serbian city centers, just as you would anywhere else in the world. When taking taxicabs in Serbia, travelers should pay attention to cab meters and listed fares as taxi drivers sometimes try to charge foreigners higher rates. Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in Serbia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. Also, it may be illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In Belgrade, you are not permitted to take pictures of the old annex of the Ministry of Defense building or the old Ministry of the Interior building. Insome places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. . There are also some activities that might be legal in Serbia, but still illegal in the United States., You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. You should try to remain aware of local laws and their implications. If you break local laws in Serbia, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. .If you are arrested in Serbia, Serbian authorities are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.