2014 Edition

Background

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Communist Partisans resisted the Axis occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945 and fought nationalist opponents and collaborators as well. The military and political movement headed by Josip Broz "TITO" (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when their domestic rivals and the occupiers were defeated in 1945. Although communists, TITO and his successors (Tito 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, after international intervention, 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. Serbian military and police forces withdrew from Kosovo in June 1999, and the UN Security Council authorized an interim UN administration and a NATO-led security force in Kosovo. FRY elections in late 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and the installation of democratic government. In 2003, the FRY became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics. Widespread violence predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 let to more intense calls to address Kosovo's status, and the UN began facilitating status talks in 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, 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. Serbia and Kosovo signed the first agreement of principles governing the normalization of relations between the two countries in April 2013 and are in the process of implementing its provisions.

Area

77,474 sq km 77,474 sq km 0 sq km

total

77,474 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate

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)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Danube and Timok Rivers 35 m Midzor 2,169 m

highest point

Midzor 2,169 m

lowest point

Danube and Timok Rivers 35 m

Environment - current issues

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

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 none of the selected agreements

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

Geographic coordinates

44 00 N, 21 00 E

Geography - note

controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East

Irrigated land

919.6 sq km (2011)

Land boundaries

2,026 km 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

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

total

2,026 km

Land use

37.28% 3.41% 59.31% (2011)

arable land

37.28%

other

59.31% (2011)

permanent crops

3.41%

Location

Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

Natural resources

oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land

Terrain

extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills

Total renewable water resources

162.2 cu km (note - includes Kosovo) (2011)

Age structure

14.8% (male 549,469/female 515,988) 11.6% (male 432,471/female 407,367) 41.6% (male 1,512,888/female 1,488,099) 14.7% (male 511,516/female 551,117) 16.9% (male 508,751/female 732,098) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

14.8% (male 549,469/female 515,988)

15-24 years

11.6% (male 432,471/female 407,367)

25-54 years

41.6% (male 1,512,888/female 1,488,099)

55-64 years

14.7% (male 511,516/female 551,117)

65 years and over

16.9% (male 508,751/female 732,098) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

9.13 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

36,141 4 % (2005 est.)

percentage

4 % (2005 est.)

total number

36,141

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.6% (2010)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

60.8% (2010)

Death rate

13.71 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

44.3 % 23.2 % 21.1 % 4.7 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

21.1 %

potential support ratio

4.7 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

44.3 %

youth dependency ratio

23.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.4% of population rural: 98.9% of population total: 99.2% of population urban: 0.6% of population rural: 1.1% of population total: 0.8% of population (2012 est.)

rural

1.1% of population

total

0.8% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.6% of population

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Serb 83.3%, Hungarian 3.5%, Romany 2.1%, Bosniak 2%, other 5.7%, undeclared or unknown 3.4% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

10.4% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

6,400 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

5.4 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

6.16 deaths/1,000 live births 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

5.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

6.16 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Serbian (official) 88.1%, Hungarian 3.4%, Bosnian 1.9%, Romany 1.4%, other 3.4%, undeclared or unknown 1.8% Serbian, Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Croatian, and Rusyn all official in Vojvodina (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

75.02 years 72.17 years 78.07 years (2014 est.)

female

78.07 years (2014 est.)

total population

75.02 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98% 99.2% 96.9% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.9% (2011 est.)

male

99.2%

total population

98%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea 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)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

Major urban areas - population

BELGRADE (capital) 1.135 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

12 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

41.9 years 40.2 years 43.6 years (2014 est.)

female

43.6 years (2014 est.)

male

40.2 years

total

41.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.5 (2011 est.)

Nationality

Serb(s) Serbian

adjective

Serbian

noun

Serb(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.8% (2008)

Physicians density

2.11 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

7,209,764 does not include the population of Kosovo (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.46% (2014 est.)

Religions

Serbian Orthodox 84.6%, Catholic 5%, Muslim 3.1%, Protestant 1%, atheist 1.1%, other 0.8%, undeclared or unknown 4.5% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98.6% of population rural: 95.7% of population total: 97.3% of population urban: 1.4% of population rural: 4.3% of population total: 2.7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

4.3% of population

total

2.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

1.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2012)

female

14 years (2012)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.69 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.42 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

51.1% (2012)

total

51.1% (2012)

Urbanization

56.4% of total population (2011) 0.51% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.51% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

56.4% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

122 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina) and 23 cities (gradovi, singular - grad) 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 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

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

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

Capital

Belgrade (Beograd) 44 50 N, 20 30 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

44 50 N, 20 30 E

name

Belgrade (Beograd)

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

many previous; latest approved by referendum 28-29 October 2006, adopted 30 September 2006, effective 8 November 2006 (2011)

Country name

Republic of Serbia Serbia Republika Srbija Srbija People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia

conventional long form

Republic of Serbia

conventional short form

Serbia

former

People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia

local long form

Republika Srbija

local short form

Srbija

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michael KIRBY (since 11 September 2012) 92 Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 [381] (11) 706-4000 [381] (11) 706-4005

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael KIRBY (since 11 September 2012)

embassy

92 Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia

FAX

[381] (11) 706-4005

mailing address

5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070

telephone

[381] (11) 706-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Vladimir JOVICIC (since 3 December 2013) 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-0333 [1] (202) 332-3933 Chicago, New York

chancery

2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Vladimir JOVICIC (since 3 December 2013)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 332-3933

telephone

[1] (202) 332-0333

Executive branch

President Tomislav NIKOLIC (since 31 May 2012) Prime Minister Aleksandar VUCIC (since 22 April 2014) Republican Ministries act as cabinet 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 Tomislav NIKOLIC elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - NIKOLIC 51.2%, Boris TADIC 48.8%

cabinet

Republican Ministries act as cabinet

chief of state

President Tomislav NIKOLIC (since 31 May 2012)

election results

Tomislav NIKOLIC elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - NIKOLIC 51.2%, Boris TADIC 48.8%

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

head of government

Prime Minister Aleksandar VUCIC (since 22 April 2014)

Flag description

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 the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia

Government type

republic

Independence

5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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)

Judicial branch

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) note - in 2003, specialized panels on war crimes were established within the Serbian court system; the panels have jurisdiction over alleged violations of the Basic Criminal Code and crimes against humanity, international law, and criminal acts as defined by the Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia 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 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

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

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (250 seats; deputies elected according to party lists to serve four-year terms) last held on 16 March 2016 (next to be held by March 2020) percent of vote by party/coalition - SNS-led Coalition 48.4%, SPS/PUPS/JS 13.5%, DS 6.0%, Boris Tadic Coalition 5.7%, DSS 4.2%, Dveri 3.6%, LDP-led Coalition 3.4%, URS 3.0%, SVM 2.1%, Enough of that 4.3%, SRS 2.0%, SDA 1.0%, PDD .7%, other and invalid 1.2%; seats by party/coalition - SNS-led Coalition 158, SPS/PUPS/JS 44, DS 19, Boris Tadic Coalition 18, SVM 6, SDA 3, PDD 2

election results

percent of vote by party/coalition - SNS-led Coalition 48.4%, SPS/PUPS/JS 13.5%, DS 6.0%, Boris Tadic Coalition 5.7%, DSS 4.2%, Dveri 3.6%, LDP-led Coalition 3.4%, URS 3.0%, SVM 2.1%, Enough of that 4.3%, SRS 2.0%, SDA 1.0%, PDD .7%, other and invalid 1.2%; seats by party/coalition - SNS-led Coalition 158, SPS/PUPS/JS 44, DS 19, Boris Tadic Coalition 18, SVM 6, SDA 3, PDD 2

elections

last held on 16 March 2016 (next to be held by March 2020)

National anthem

"Boze pravde" (God of Justice) Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO 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

lyrics/music

Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO

name

"Boze pravde" (God of Justice)

National holiday

National Day, 15 February

National symbol(s)

double-headed eagle

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan PASZTOR] Boris Tadic Coalition [Boris TADIC] (includes New Democratic Party-Greens or NDS-Z [Boris TADIC], League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina or LSV [Nenad CANAK], Together for Serbia or ZSS [Dusan PETROVIC], Democratic Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or VMDK [Aron CSONKA], Together for Vojvodina [Olena PAPUGA], Democratic Left of Roma or DLR [Jovan DAMJANOVIC]) Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Aleksandar Popovic] Enough of That [Sasa RADULOVIC] Party for Democratic Action or PDD [Riza HALIMI] Party of Democratic Action of the Sandzak or SDA [Sulejman UGLJANIN] Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ] SNS-led Coalition/A Future We Believe In [Aleksandar VUCIC] (includes Serbian Progressive Party or SNS [Aleksandar VUCIC], Social Democratic Party of Serbia or SDPS [Rasim LJAJIC], New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC], Movement of Socialists or PS [Aleksandar VULIN], and Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO [Vuk DRASKOVIC]) United Regions of Serbia [Mladan DINKIC] With Democratic Party for Democratic Serbia/Democratic Party or DS [Dragan DJILAS] SPS/PUPS/JS [Ivica DACIC] (includes Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC], Party of United Pensioners of Serbia or PUPS [Jovan KRKOBABIC], United Serbia or JS [Dragan "Palma" MARKOVIC]) LDP-led Coalition [Cedomir JOVANOVIC] (includes Liberal Democratic Party of LDP [Cedomir JOVANOVIC], Bosniak Democratic Union of Sandzak or BDZS [Esad DZUDZEVIC], Social Democratic Union of SDU [Zarko KORAC])

Political pressure groups and leaders

1389 (Serbian nationalist movement) Dveri - Movement for the Life of Serbia [Bosko OBRADOVIC] Obraz (Orthodox clero-fascist organization) SNP NASI (Serbian National Movement NASI)

Suffrage

18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, maize, sunflower, sugar beets, fruits (raspberries, apples, sour cherries), vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes), beef, pork, and meat products, milk and dairy products, grapes/wine

Budget

$17.47 billion $19.6 billion this is the consolidated budget, including both central government and local goverment budgets (2013 est.)

expenditures

$19.6 billion

revenues

$17.47 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.5% (18 March 2014) 11.75% (6 February 2013)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.85% (31 December 2013 est.) 14.99% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.807 billion (2013 est.) -$4.012 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$33.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $33.42 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

38 (2013 est.) 28.2 (2008 est.)

Economy - overview

Serbia has a transitional economy largely dominated by market forces, but the state sector remains significant in certain areas 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, 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. In January 2014, Serbia's EU accession talks officially opened. 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. However, an IMF mission visited Serbia in February 2014 to initiate discussions with Serbian authorities on a possible new IMF arrangement and these talks will continue following the formation of the new government. 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. Growing budget 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 2013. Serbia's concerns about inflation and exchange-rate stability may preclude the use of expansionary monetary policy. During the recent election campaign, the victorious SNS party promised comprehensive economic reform during the first half of 2014 to address issues with the fiscal deficit, state-owned enterprises, the labor market, construction permits, bankruptcy and privatization, and other areas. Major challenges ahead include: high unemployment rates and the need for job creation; high government expenditures for salaries, pensions, healthcare, 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 longer-term challenges include an inefficient judicial system, high levels of corruption, and an aging population. Factors favorable to Serbia's economic growth include its 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).

Serbia has a transitional economy largely dominated by market forces, but the state sector remains significant in certain areas and many institutional reforms are needed. The economy relies on manufacturing and exports, driven largely by foreign investmen

high unemployment rates and the need for job creation; high government expenditures for salaries, pensions, healthcare, 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 longer-term challenges include an inefficient judicial system, high levels of corruption, and an aging population. Factors favorable to Serbia's economic growth include its 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).

Exchange rates

Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 85.67 (2013 est.) 87.992 (2012 est.) 77.729 (2010 est.) 67.634 (2009) 62.9 (2008)

Exports

$14.61 billion (2013 est.) $11.35 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

iron and steel, rubber, clothes, wheat, fruit and vegetables, nonferrous metals, electric appliances, metal products, weapons and ammunition, automobiles

GDP - composition, by end use

75.8% 19.2% 16.3% 5.4% 42.7% -59.4% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

42.7%

government consumption

19.2%

household consumption

75.8%

imports of goods and services

-59.4%

investment in fixed capital

16.3%

investment in inventories

5.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.9% 31.8% 60.3% (2013 est.)

agriculture

7.9%

industry

31.8%

services

60.3% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,100 (2013 est.) $10,900 (2012 est.) $11,100 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2013 est.) -1.7% (2012 est.) 1.6% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$43.68 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$80.47 billion (2013 est.) $78.89 billion (2012 est.) $80.3 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

26.7% of GDP (2013 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 22.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Imports

$20.54 billion (2013 est.) $19.01 billion (2012 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

5.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

automobiles, base metals, furniture, food processing, machinery, chemicals, sugar, tires, clothes, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2013 est.) 12.2% (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.703 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

23.9% 16.5% 59.6% (2013 est.)

agriculture

23.9%

industry

16.5%

services

59.6% (2013 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$9.199 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $7.451 billion (31 December 2012) $8.365 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

61.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 59.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$15.87 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $14.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$20.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $19.12 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$26.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $11.95 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$25.48 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $26.26 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.626 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.595 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

40% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

20.1% (2013 est.) 22.4% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

62 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

33,330 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

24,500 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

77.5 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

28.04 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - exports

5.707 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

57.5% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

39% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.5% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - imports

5.835 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

7.379 million kW (2013 est.)

Electricity - production

37.65 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

2.827 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.45 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

484.7 million cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

72,770 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

16,060 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

31,120 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

65,720 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Internet country code

.rs

Internet hosts

1.102 million (2012)

Internet users

4.107 million (2009)

Telephone system

replacements of, and upgrades to, telecommunications equipment damaged during the 1999 war has resulted in a modern digitalized telecommunications system 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 country code - 381 (2011)

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

general assessment

replacements of, and upgrades to, telecommunications equipment damaged during the 1999 war has resulted in a modern digitalized telecommunications system

international

country code - 381 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

2.977 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

9.138 million (2012)

Airports

26 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

10

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

10

total

16

Heliports

2 (2012)

Railways

3,809 km 3,809 km 1.435-m gauge (1,279 km electrified) (2010)

total

3,809 km

Roadways

44,248 km 28,000 km 16,248 km (2010)

total

44,248 km

unpaved

16,248 km (2010)

Waterways

587 km (primarily on the Danube and Sava rivers) (2009)

Manpower fit for military service

1,395,426 1,356,415 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,356,415 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,395,426

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

43,945 41,080 (2010 est.)

female

41,080 (2010 est.)

male

43,945

Military branches

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)

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 expenditures

2.21% of GDP (2012) 2.28% of GDP (2011) 2.21% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

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)

Disputes - international

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

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering

Refugees and internally displaced persons

41,762 (Croatia); 15,296 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (2013) 97,300 (most are Kosovar Serbs, some are Roma, Ashkalis, and Egyptian (RAE); some RAE IDPs are unregistered) (2013) 8,500 (includes stateless persons in Kosovo) (2012)

IDPs

97,300 (most are Kosovar Serbs, some are Roma, Ashkalis, and Egyptian (RAE); some RAE IDPs are unregistered) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

41,762 (Croatia); 15,296 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (2013)

stateless persons

8,500 (includes stateless persons in Kosovo) (2012)