Serbia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Serbia's demographic indicators in 2023 reveal a slight increase in completed fertility and average children per mother, indicating a modest reversal in previous declines. The total fertility gap has also narrowed, while childlessness among women has decreased somewhat compared to the prior year. These shifts suggest subtle changes in reproductive behavior after several years of stability or decline.
- Completed fertility rose modestly to 74.3%, increasing 1.3 percentage points from 2022.
- Average children per mother edged up to 2.15, a slight increase from the prior year’s 2.11.
- The total fertility gap decreased to 22.7%, a 3 percentage point decline, reflecting a smaller deficit relative to replacement fertility.
- Childlessness among women dropped to 25.7%, easing 1.3 percentage points compared to 2022, continuing a downward trend over recent years.
In 2023, fertility trends in Serbia showed modest growth in completed fertility and a slight decline in childlessness.
- Average children per mother steady at just over two
- Mean age at childbirth stable near 29 years
- Childlessness rate decreased to around 26%
- Total fertility gap narrowed, indicating fewer births missed
- Sharp rise in survival to older ages, life expectancy over 83 years
Key fertility indicators — Serbia
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 22.7% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 46 |
| Total births (latest year) | 60,392 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Serbia, completed fertility is 74.3% (2023). It has edged up slightly from 2022 (up 1.3pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2019–2023), TMR has been rising with an average of 71.7%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (71.7%), today’s TMR is higher by about 2.6pp. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 70.6% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 69.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 73.0% |
| 2000 | 76.7% | 2023 | 74.3% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2023, mothers in Serbia had an average of 2.15 children. It is marginally higher than in 2022 (up 0.05). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is broadly stable with an average of 2.13. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 2.13), completed family size today is close to that long-run level. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.97 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.12 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 2.11 |
| 2000 | 1.92 | 2023 | 2.15 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
Serbia’s mean age at childbearing is 28.9 in 2023. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 28.8 years). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (28.8 years), today’s AMA is close to that long-run level. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 27.22 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.80 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 28.89 |
| 2000 | 24.14 | 2023 | 28.95 |
Source: Eurostat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Serbia’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 22.7% in 2023 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.60). It declined relative to 2022 (down 3.0pp). Over the past five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been falling; the 2019–2023 average is 26.3%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (26.3%), the fertility gap today is lower by about 3.6pp. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 32.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 25.7% |
| 2000 | 28.8% | 2023 | 22.7% |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Serbia’s FWG is 33.3% in 2023. It shows virtually no movement compared with 2022 (little change). Over the past five years, FWG has been broadly stable; the 2019–2023 average is 32.9%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (32.9%), today’s FWG is close to that long-run level. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. <span class="cs-stale-note">(older data)</span>
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 33.6% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 33.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 32.9% |
| 2000 | 37.7% | 2023 | 33.3% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2023, SHL in Serbia is 83.4 years. It moved sharply up from 2022 (up 11.2 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been rising; the 2019–2023 average is 70.9 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 70.9 years), SHL now stands higher by about 12.6 years. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Serbia, there would be 46 great-grandchildren, representing a -54.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2107 - Births down 75% in 2191 - Births down 90% in 2301
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 60,392 in 2024 to 30,196 in 2107, and by 90% to 6,039 in 2301 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
25.7% of women in Serbia remain childless over their lifetime (2023). It has eased slightly from 2022 (down 1.3pp). Over the past five years, childlessness has been falling; the 2019–2023 average is 28.3%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 28.3%), the rate today stands lower by about 2.6pp. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 27.0% |
| 2000 | 23.3% | 2023 | 25.7% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
In 2024, Serbia recorded 60,392 total births. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 61,484 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (61,484), total births are now lower by 1,092 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 68.0k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 61.5k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 62.6k |
| 2000 | 73.2k | 2023 | 60.9k |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Serbia’s FWG is 33.3% in 2023. It shows virtually no movement compared with 2022 (little change). Over the past five years, FWG has been broadly stable; the 2019–2023 average is 32.9%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (32.9%), today’s FWG is close to that long-run level. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 33.6% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 33.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 32.9% |
| 2000 | 37.7% | 2023 | 33.3% |
Source: Eurostat.