Serbia: environment

What are Serbia's CO2 emissions?

Serbia's economy and households emitted 50,061.1 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, 0.1% less than in 2023, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). Electricity, gas and steam supply produced 60.4% of the total, and households 16.6%.

These are air emissions accounts, which assign emissions to the economic activity that caused them, so they can differ from the national greenhouse gas inventory reported under the UN climate convention.

Official sources: RZS: air emissions accounts, 2024

How polluted is the air in Serbia?

Serbia emitted 359.3 thousand tonnes of sulphur dioxide in 2024, 10.7% more than in 2023, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). Emissions of nitrogen oxides were 127.4 thousand tonnes and of carbon monoxide 323.2 thousand tonnes; 84% of carbon monoxide came from households.

These figures measure how much pollution is released, not the air quality people breathe. Measured air quality is published by the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency, whose site could not be reached on 15 October 2026. World Bank data put mean exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) at 19.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023.

Official sources: RZS: air emissions accounts, 2024 · World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Serbia

How much waste does Serbia produce?

Businesses in Serbia generated 182.3 million tonnes of waste in 2025, 13% less than in 2024, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). Of the 182.8 million tonnes treated, 179 million tonnes (98.6%) were disposed of and 2.6 million tonnes (1.4%) were reused.

The total covers waste from agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, energy supply, water supply, construction and services. Waste from mining fell 13.8% in 2025, while waste from electricity, gas and steam supply rose 3.3%. The release also reports household and similar waste, and the split between hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

Official sources: RZS: waste statistics, 2025

How much energy does Serbia use?

Total energy available in Serbia was 2,062,138 terajoules in 2024, 2.3% less than in 2023, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS) physical energy flow accounts.

Energy accounts record energy produced in Serbia plus imports, minus exports and changes in stocks, by industry and households. They follow the same rules as the national accounts, so energy use can be compared with economic output. The RZS energy balance gives the split by fuel.

Official sources: RZS: physical energy flow accounts, 2024

What share of Serbia's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2021, is 27.2%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 20.4%; Serbia is 19th highest of 50. Worldwide: 88th of 191.

What is Serbia's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 39.2%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2006. Europe & Central Asia median: 33.2%; Serbia is 14th highest of 51. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 72nd highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Serbia?

The Global Burden of Disease study puts average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Serbia at 19.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 28.2 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2021, at 19.1 micrograms per cubic metre. It is 12th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 89th highest.

How much of Serbia's land is protected?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 14.0%. That is the highest since at least 2013. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 22.1%, and Serbia placed 41st highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 124th highest.

How much of Serbia's fresh water is used?

The FAO puts water stress in Serbia at 5.7% in 2022. The peak was 6.3% in 2019 and the low 2.4% in 2006. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; Serbia is 33rd highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 115th highest.