Serbia: health and care

What is life expectancy in Serbia?

Life expectancy at birth in Serbia was 74.2 years for men and 78.8 years for women in 2025, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). The average age at death was 75.6 years.

Life expectancy at birth is the number of years a newborn would live if the death rates of 2025 stayed the same throughout their life. It is a summary of that year's mortality, not a forecast. The average age at death is a different measure, and it depends on the age structure of the population.

Official sources: RZS: vital statistics, 2025

What is the fertility rate in Serbia?

The total fertility rate in Serbia was 1.62 children per woman in 2025, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). There were 59,483 live births, a birth rate of 9.1 per 1,000 people.

The total fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have if she experienced that year's birth rates at each age. A rate of about 2.1 is usually needed for a population to replace itself without migration. The RZS publishes vital statistics each year, with monthly figures on births and deaths.

Official sources: RZS: vital statistics, 2025

How many people die in Serbia each year?

There were 95,247 deaths in Serbia in 2025 and 59,483 births, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS). That is a natural decrease of 35,764 people. The death rate was 14.5 per 1,000 people. In January–August 2026 there were 62,881 deaths (0.4% more than a year earlier) and 38,319 births (1.0% more), according to the RZS monthly release.

Natural change is births minus deaths, and it leaves out migration. The death rate is high partly because of the population's age structure: 22.9% of people were 65 or older in 2025.

Official sources: RZS: vital statistics, 2025 · RZS: births and deaths, January–August 2026

What is the infant mortality rate in Serbia?

The infant mortality rate in Serbia was 4.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, according to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS).

Infant mortality counts deaths of children under one year old, compared with the number of live births in the same year. It is widely used to compare health conditions and care for mothers and babies. Because the number of infant deaths in Serbia is small, the rate can move from year to year by chance. The Institute of Public Health of Serbia publishes more detailed health statistics.

Official sources: RZS: vital statistics, 2025

What is life expectancy in Serbia?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 76.0 years. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 76.1 years; its low point was 2021, at 72.8 years. Europe & Central Asia median: 79.5 years; Serbia is 40th highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 79th of 193.

What is Serbia's infant mortality rate?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Serbia was 4.6 per 1,000 in 2024. The peak was 7.8 per 1,000 in 2005 and the low 4.5 per 1,000 in 2023. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.4 per 1,000, and Serbia placed 16th highest of 51. Worldwide: 149th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Serbia?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Serbia was 11.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 6.0 per 100,000; Serbia is 15th highest of 51. Worldwide: 144th of 192.

What share of GDP does Serbia spend on health care?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Serbia was 8.0% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 9.2% of GDP in 2021 and the low 7.9% of GDP in 2017. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 7.5% of GDP, and Serbia placed 23rd highest of 51. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 59th highest.

How much of health care in Serbia do patients pay for?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 32.1%. The peak was 40.6% in 2017 and the low 29.8% in 2005. It is 13th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.0%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 75th highest.

How many doctors does Serbia have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Serbia was 3.1 per 1,000 in 2022. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 36th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.7 per 1,000. Worldwide: 49th of 125.

How many hospital beds does Serbia have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2022, is 5.8 per 1,000. No year since 2006 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.3 per 1,000; Serbia is 11th highest of 42. World rank, highest first: 15th of 110.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Serbia?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 84.0%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 75.0% (2021) to 96.0% (2005). Europe & Central Asia median: 94.0%; Serbia is 43rd highest of 51. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 128th highest.