Quick facts
Serbia population overview
Serbia is the 21st most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 6,664,792 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.7% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 120 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 57,317 births (8.6 per 1,000 people) and 95,307 deaths (14.3 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 5,998 people. The infant mortality rate is 3.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population fell from 6,638,992 in 1960 to 6,549,143 in 2025 — a change of -1.4%, or 0% per year on average. It peaked at 7,897,937 in 1990 and has declined 16.1% since.
Demographically, the median age is 44.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 77.3 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.3% of residents are under 15 and 23.1% are 65 or older (2025); 62.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Belgrade. Serbia covers 84,990 km², giving a population density of about 78 people per km². GDP was $99.95B in 2025 — about $15,262 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Serbia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 6,629,713 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 6,664,792 |
| World rank | #111 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #21 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.080% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.7% |
| Births per year est. | 57,317 |
| Deaths per year est. | 95,307 |
| Net migration per year est. | -5,998 |
| Birth rate | 8.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 14.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 90 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 44.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 77.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 62.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 84,990 km² |
| Population density | 78 per km² |
| Capital | Belgrade |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $99.95B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $15,262 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Serbia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 6,629,713 | – | – |
| 2025 | 6,549,143 | -37,333 | -0.6% |
| 2024 | 6,586,476 | -36,707 | -0.6% |
| 2023 | 6,623,183 | -41,266 | -0.6% |
| 2022 | 6,664,449 | -169,877 | -2.5% |
| 2021 | 6,834,326 | -64,800 | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 6,899,126 | -196,257 | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 7,095,383 | -196,053 | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 7,291,436 | -149,333 | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 7,440,769 | -75,577 | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 7,516,346 | -111,918 | -0.3% |
| 1995 | 7,628,264 | -269,673 | -0.7% |
| 1990 | 7,897,937 | +62,035 | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 7,835,902 | +126,358 | +0.3% |
| 1980 | 7,709,544 | +340,827 | +0.9% |
| 1975 | 7,368,717 | +203,724 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 7,164,993 | +288,369 | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 6,876,624 | +237,632 | +0.7% |
| 1960 | 6,638,992 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Serbia
Population over time
- From 6,638,992 in 1960 to 6,629,713 today — down 0.1%.
- Population peaked at 7,897,937 in 1990 and is down 16.1% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 76 years (2024), up 10.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.2 births vs 14.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 5.7 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 14.3% of the population is under 15 and 23.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 6.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,378.1 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 3.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 27.2% of final energy in 2021 (+12.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 32.4% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 29.9% to 32.4% since 2006 — roughly 2,148 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 62.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 29.1% in 1960 (+33.6 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1990.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: high — freshwater withdrawals are 60.6% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,261 m³ in 2022, up 11.2% since 2006.
Economy
- GDP: $99.95B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 142% since 2015.
- That works out to $15,262 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 7.1% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 87.7% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 123.8 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Serbia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Serbia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Serbia has an estimated population of 6,629,713. The United Nations estimated 6,664,792 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Serbia growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.7% per year — roughly 120 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 57,317 births and 95,307 deaths, with net migration of -5,998.
What is the population density of Serbia?
About 78 people per square kilometre: 6,629,713 people living on 84,990 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Serbia?
The median age is 44.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 77.3 years. 14.3% of the population is under 15 and 23.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Serbia rank by population?
Serbia is the 111th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 21st in Europe, with 0.080% of the global population.
How has the population of Serbia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 6,638,992; by 2025 it had fallen to 6,549,143 (-1.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Russia
Germany
United Kingdom
France
Bulgaria
Republic of the Congo
El Salvador
NicaraguaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.