Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Various paramilitary bands resisted Nazi Germany's occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945, but fought each other and ethnic opponents as much as the invaders. The military and political movement headed by Josip "TITO" Broz (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when German and Croatian separatist forces were defeated in 1945. Although communist, TITO's new government and his successors (he died in 1980) managed to steer their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Republic of Serbia and his ultranationalist calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions were ultimately unsuccessful and led to the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. MILOSEVIC retained control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo. The MILOSEVIC government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999, to the withdrawal of Serbian military and police forces from Kosovo in June 1999, and to the stationing of a NATO-led force in Kosovo to provide a safe and secure environment for the region's ethnic communities. FRY elections in late 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and the installation of democratic government. In 2003, the FRY became Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics. Widespread violence predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 caused the international community to open negotiations on the future status of Kosovo in January 2006. In June 2006, Montenegro seceded from the federation and declared itself an independent nation. Serbia subsequently gave notice that it was the successor state to the union of Serbia and Montenegro. In February 2008, after nearly two years of inconclusive negotiations, the UN-administered province of Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia - an action Serbia refuses to recognize. At Serbia's request, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in October 2008 sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on whether Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence was in accordance with international law. In a ruling considered unfavorable to Serbia, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion in July 2010 stating that international law did not prohibit declarations of independence. In late 2010, Serbia agreed to an EU-drafted UNGA Resolution acknowledging the ICJ's decision and calling for a new round of talks between Serbia and Kosovo, this time on practical issues rather than Kosovo's status. The EU-moderated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue began in March 2011 and was raised to the level of prime ministers in October 2012.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Europe
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 77,474 sq km
country comparison to the world: 117
land: 77,474 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,026 km
border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Kosovo 352 km, Macedonia 62 km, Montenegro 124 km, Romania 476 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well-distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Danube and Timok Rivers 35 m
highest point: Midzor 2,169 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 37.28%
permanent crops: 3.41%
other: 59.31% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
919.6 sq km (2011)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
162.2 cu km (note - includes Kosovo) (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
destructive earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Serb(s)
adjective: Serbian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Serb 83.3%, Bosniak 2%, Hungarian 3.5%, Romany 2.1%, other 5.7%, undeclared or unknown 3.4% (2011 est.)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Serbian (official) 88.1%, Hungarian 3.4%, Bosnian 1.9%, Romany 1.4%, other 3.4%, undeclared or unknown 1.8%
note: Serbian, Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Croatian, and Rusyn all official in Vojvodina (2011 est.)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Serbian Orthodox 84.6%, Catholic 5%, Muslim 3.1%, Protestant 1%, other 1.9%, undeclared or unknown 4.5% (2011 est.)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,243,007 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
note: does not include the population of Kosovo
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 14.8% (male 553,644/female 519,887)
15-24 years: 11.9% (male 442,442/female 416,698)
25-54 years: 41.7% (male 1,521,214/female 1,497,906)
55-64 years: 14.7% (male 513,282/female 554,787)
65 years and over: 16.9% (male 500,864/female 722,283) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 44 %
youth dependency ratio: 23.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 20.7 %
potential support ratio: 4.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 41.7 years
male: 40 years
female: 43.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.46% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.15 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.77 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 56% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BELGRADE (capital) 1.115 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.2 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 150
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6.28 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 170
male: 7.24 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 74.79 years
country comparison to the world: 103
male: 71.94 years
female: 77.82 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.41 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
60.8% (2010)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 22
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.11 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.4 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 63
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 121
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.7% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 84
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 99.2%
female: 96.9% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 36,141
percentage: 4 % (2005 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 51.1% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 7
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Serbia
conventional short form: Serbia
local long form: Republika Srbija
local short form: Srbija
former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Belgrade (Beograd)
geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
122 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina) and 23 cities (gradovi, singular - grad)
municipalities: Ada, Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Alibunar, Apatin, Arandelovac, Arilje, Babusnica, Bac, Backa Palanka, Backa Topola, Backi Petrovac, Bajina Basta, Batocina, Becej, Bela Crkva, Bela Palanka, Beocin, Blace, Bogatic, Bojnik, Boljevac, Bor, Bosilegrad, Brus, Bujanovac, Cajetina, Cicevac, Coka, Crna Trava, Cuprija, Despotovac, Dimitrov, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Golubac, Gornji Milanovac, Indija, Irig, Ivanjica, Kanjiza, Kikinda, Kladovo, Knic, Knjazevac, Koceljeva, Kosjeric, Kovacica, Kovin, Krupanj, Kucevo, Kula, Kursumlija, Lajkovac, Lapovo, Lebane, Ljig, Ljubovija, Lucani, Majdanpek, Mali Idos, Mali Zvornik, Malo Crnice, Medveda, Merosina, Mionica, Negotin, Nova Crnja, Nova Varos, Novi Becej, Novi Knezevac, Odzaci, Opovo, Osecina, Paracin, Pecinci, Petrovac na Mlavi, Pirot, Plandiste, Pozega, Presevo, Priboj, Prijepolje, Prokuplje, Raca, Raska, Razanj, Rekovac, Ruma, Secanj, Senta, Sid, Sjenica, Smederevska Palanka, Sokobanja, Srbobran, Sremski Karlovci, Stara Pazova, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Svrljig, Temerin, Titel, Topola, Trgoviste, Trstenik, Tutin, Ub, Varvarin, Velika Plana, Veliko Gradiste, Vladicin Han, Vladimirci, Vlasotince, Vrbas, Vrnjacka Banja, Vrsac, Zabalj, Zabari, Zagubica, Zitiste, Zitorada
cities: Beograd, Cacak, Jagodina, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krusevac, Leskovac, Loznica, Nis, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Pozarevac, Sabac, Smederevo, Sombor, Sremska Mitrovica, Subotica, Uzice, Vajevo, Vranje, Zajecar, Zrenjanin
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Day, 15 February
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
many previous; latest approved by referendum 28-29 October 2006, adopted 30 September 2006, effective 8 November 2006 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Tomislav NIKOLIC (since 31 May 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Ivica DACIC (since 23 July 2012)
cabinet: Republican Ministries act as cabinet
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 May 2012 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister elected by the National Assembly
election results: Tomislav NIKOLIC elected president in runoff election; NIKOLIC 51.2% of the vote, Boris TADIC 48.8% of the vote
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly (250 seats; deputies elected according to party lists to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 May 2012 (next to be held by May 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - Let's Get Serbia Moving 24.04%, Choice for a Better Life 22.11%, SPS/PUPS/JS 14.53%, DSS 7.00%, Turnover 6.52%, United Regions of Serbia 5.49%, Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians 1.77%, other 18.54%; seats by party/coalition - Let's Get Serbia Moving 73, Choice for a Better Life 67, SPS/PUPS/JS 44, DSS 21, Turnover 19, United Regions of Serbia 16, Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians 5, other 5
note: seats by parliamentary group as of January 2014 - SNS 64, DS 43, SPS 25, DSS 21, United Regions of Serbia 15, LDP 12, PUPS 12, Independent MPs 12, SDPS 9, NS 8, JS 7, Together for Serbia Parliamentary Group 7, SVM 5, LSV 5, SPO 5
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of more than 60 judges organized into 3- and 5-member panels for criminal, civil, and administrative cases); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices proposed by the High Judicial Council (HJC), an 11-member body of which 7 are judges, and elected by the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges appointed - 5 each by the National Assembly, the president, and the Supreme Court of Cassation; judges of both courts appointed to permanent tenure by the HJC
subordinate courts: appellate courts, higher courts, and municipal and district courts; courts of special jurisdiction include the Administrative Court, Appellate Commercial Court, and two levels of misdemeanor courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Albanian Coalition of Presevo Valley [Riza HALIMI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1389 (Serbian nationalist movement)
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Vladimir JOVICIC (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael KIRBY (since 11 September 2012)
embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade, PAK 112807
mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070
telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344
FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white - the Pan-Slav colors representing freedom and revolutionary ideals; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side; the principal field of the coat of arms represents the Serbian state and displays a white two-headed eagle on a red shield; a smaller red shield on the eagle represents the Serbian nation, and is divided into four quarters by a white cross; interpretations vary as to the meaning and origin of the white, curved symbols resembling firesteels or Cyrillic "C's" in each quarter; a royal crown surmounts the coat of arms
note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
double-headed eagle
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Boze pravde" (God of Justice)
lyrics/music: Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO
note: adopted 1904; the song was originally written as part of a play in 1872 and has been used as an anthem by the Serbian people throughout the 20th and 21st centuries
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Serbia has a transitional economy mostly dominated by market forces, but the state sector remains large and many institutional reforms are needed. The economy relies on manufacturing and exports, driven largely by foreign investment. MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, civil war, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Serbia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Serbia has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, but many large enterprises - including the power utilities, telecommunications company, natural gas company, national air carrier, and others - remain in state hands. Serbia has made some progress towards EU membership, signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels in May 2008, and with full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU in February 2010, gained candidate status in March 2012. Serbia's negotiations with the World Trade Organization are advanced, with the country's complete ban on the trade and cultivation of agricultural biotechnology products representing the primary remaining obstacle to accession. Serbia's program with the IMF was frozen in early 2012 because the 2012 budget approved by parliament deviated from the program parameters; the arrangement is now void. High unemployment and stagnant household incomes are ongoing political and economic problems. Structural economic reforms needed to ensure the country's long-term prosperity have largely stalled since the onset of the global financial crisis. The economy slipped by an estimated 2.0% in 2012, following growth of 1.6% in 2011, 1.0% in 2010, and a 3.5% contraction in 2009. Growing deficits constrain the use of stimulus efforts to revive the economy and contribute to growing concern of a public debt crisis, given that Serbia's total public debt as a share of GDP doubled between 2008 and 2012, reaching 61.5% of GDP at the end of 2012. Further, Serbia's concerns about inflation and exchange rate stability preclude the use of expansionary monetary policy. Serbia adopted a new long-term economic growth plan in 2010 that calls for a quadrupling of exports over ten years and heavy investments in basic infrastructure. In 2012, however, exports fell by 3.6% compared to 2011, largely as a result of the halt in production at the former US Steel plant and a summer drought that slashed agricultural production. Major challenges ahead include: high unemployment rates and the need for job creation; high government expenditures for salaries, pensions, and unemployment benefits; a growing need for new government borrowing; rising public and private foreign debt; attracting new foreign direct investment; and getting the IMF program back on track. Other serious challenges include an inefficient judicial system, high levels of corruption, and an aging population. Factors favorable to Serbia's economic growth include a strategic location, a relatively inexpensive and skilled labor force, and free trade agreements with the EU, Russia, Turkey, and countries that are members of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$77.83 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$38.02 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 78.4%
government consumption: 20.6%
investment in fixed capital: 17.3%
investment in inventories: 3.3%
exports of goods and services: 39.6%
imports of goods and services: -59.1%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 7.6%
industry: 31.7%
services: 60.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
wheat, maize, sugar beets, sunflower, raspberries; beef, pork, milk
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
base metals, furniture, food processing, machinery, chemicals, sugar, tires, clothes, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.17 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 21.9%
industry: 19.5%
services: 58.6% (2010)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.2% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 121
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $15.54 billion
expenditures: $18.41 billion
note: this is the consolidated budget, including both central government and local goverment budgets (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-7.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued or owned by government entities other than the treasury (for which the GOS issued guarantees); the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities (for which the GOS issued guarantees), as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment, debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.75% (6 February 2013)
country comparison to the world: 28
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.73% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.79 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$19.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$21.55 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.54 billion (13 February 2013)
country comparison to the world: 75
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-4.082 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.33 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
iron and steel, rubber, clothes, wheat, fruit and vegetables, nonferrous metals, electric appliances, metal products, weapons and ammunition, automobiles
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$18.35 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$33.69 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37.86 billion kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37.37 billion kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.24 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5 billion kWh (2012)
country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.359 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
66.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19,720 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,660 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
77.5 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 75
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62,940 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
81,440 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,576 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27,330 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
557 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.84 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.61 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 66
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58.5 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.977 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 50
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.138 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 85
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: replacements of, and upgrades to, telecommunications equipment damaged during the 1999 war has resulted in a modern digitalized telecommunications system
domestic: wireless service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications services are centered in urban centers; 3G mobile network launched in 2007
international: country code - 381 (2011)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.rs
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.102 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 44
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.107 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 57
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 127
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 (2012)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,809 km
country comparison to the world: 45
standard gauge: 3,809 km 1.435-m gauge (1,279 km electrified) (2010)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 44,248 km
country comparison to the world: 81
paved: 28,000 km
unpaved: 16,248 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
587 km (primarily on the Danube and Sava rivers) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 81
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces Command (includes Riverine Component, consisting of a river flotilla on the Danube), Air and Air Defense Forces Command (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished December 2010; reserve obligation to age 60 for men and age 50 for women (2013)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,395,426
females age 16-49: 1,356,415 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 43,945
female: 41,080 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.21% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 112
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Serbia with several other states protest the US and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaration of its status as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led Kosovo Force peacekeepers under United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 49,931 (Croatia); 16,418 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (2012)
IDPs: 228,215 (most are Kosovar Serbs some are Roma, Ashkalis, and Egyptian (RAE); some RAE IDPs are unregistered) (2011)
stateless persons: 8,500 (includes stateless persons in Kosovo) (2012)