Serbia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2023, Serbia recorded a slight decline in lifetime childlessness, dropping to 25.7%, the lowest within Europe. Despite this, total fertility growth slipped by 3 percentage points to 22.7%, indicating a subtle reduction in childbearing rates. Meanwhile, the average number of children per mother continued a modest upward trend, reaching 2.15, surpassing both the recent five-year and 2000s averages.
- The completed fertility rate rose slightly to 74.3%, stabilizing near the long-term average from the 2000s.
- Average maternal age remains notably low at 28.95 years, the lowest in Europe and globally, with minimal change from the previous year.
- Total births declined marginally by 1,659 to 60,896, reflecting subdued population growth during this period.
- Serbia's share of families with three or more children increased modestly, contrasting with a continued overall trend toward smaller family sizes across Europe.
In 2023, Serbia exhibited notable demographic challenges, with its fertility and maternal age patterns contrasting sharply with broader European and global trends.
- Lowest total mortality rate (TMR) in Europe
- Lowest mean age at childbearing in Europe
- Lowest total fertility gap (TFG) and childlessness rates in Europe
- Rising three-plus children families, declining one-child births
- Societal Half-Life shortest in Europe, indicating rapid generational decline
Key fertility indicators — Serbia
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 25.7% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.15 |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 46 |
| Total births (latest year) | 60,896 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In Serbia, the total motherhood rate reached 74.3% in 2023, marking a slight increase of 1.3 percentage points from 2022. Over the last five years, from 2019 to 2023, the TMR has remained relatively steady, averaging 71.5%. This recent level is close to the average seen during the 2000s, which was 74.2%. On a global scale, Serbia ranks lowest with a TMR of 0.743, placing it 38th out of 38.
Within Europe, it also holds the lowest position, ranking 31st among 31 countries in terms of motherhood prevalence.
| 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)
Serbia's children per mother (CPM) reached 2.15 in 2023, showing a slight increase of 0.05 from 2022. Over the past five years, the trend has been upward, averaging 2.13 children per mother. This figure is notably higher than the 2000s average of 1.99, marking an increase of roughly 0.16.
| 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)
The average maternal age in Serbia reached 28.95 years in 2023, showing a slight increase from 28.89 years in 2022. This figure reflects a continuing upward trend over the last five years, with the average maternal age during this period being around 28.8 years. Compared to the 2000s, when the average was about 25.79 years, the current maternal age is more than 3 years higher. The highest three-year average occurred between 2021 and 2023, at approximately 28.84 years, while the lowest was during 2000–2002, at nearly 24.94 years.
| 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.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2023, Serbia’s Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stood at 22.7%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.60. This marks a decrease of 3.0 percentage points compared to 2022. Looking at the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, the average TFG is 26.5%, indicating a decline over that timeframe. When measured against the 2000s average of 28.7%, the current level is approximately 6.0 percentage points lower. On a global scale, Serbia holds the lowest TFG level, ranking 38 out of 38 countries. Similarly, within Europe, it ranks last at 31 out of 31 countries.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 32.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 25.7% |
| 2000 | 28.8% | 2023 | 22.7% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Serbia’s SHL stands at 83.5 years years in 2023. It has increased by 11.3 years compared with 2022. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 69.9 years. Compared with the 2000s average (58.0 years), SHL is now longer by about 25.5 years.
Globally, Serbia has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).Within Europe, Serbia has the shortest SHL value (ranked 31/31).
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, Serbia has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38). Within Europe, Serbia has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 31/31).
Birth trajectory
If current birth trends observed in 2023 continue, the number of births is projected to decrease significantly over time. By 2107, births are expected to be reduced by 50%, dropping from 60,896 births in 2023 to approximately 30,448. This decline continues further, with a 90% decrease forecasted by 2300, resulting in just about 6,090 births. These projections do not take migration into account.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate in Serbia stood at 25.7% in 2023, marking a slight decrease of 1.3 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years, the rate has remained relatively steady, averaging 28.5% between 2019 and 2023. This current figure is also very close to the 2000s average of 25.8%. On a global scale, Serbia holds the lowest childlessness rate, ranking 38th out of 38 countries.
Within Europe, it similarly ranks at the bottom, positioned 31st out of 31 countries for this metric.
| 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
Serbia saw 60,896 total births in 2023, which is 1,659 fewer than in 2022. Over the last five years, the number of births has been on a decline, averaging 62,238 annually. This figure represents a significant drop from the 2000s average of 73,299 births, marking a decrease of 12,403 births or 16.9%.
| 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.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Serbia stood at 33.3% in 2023, showing minimal change from the previous year’s 32.9%. Over the last five years, from 2019 to 2023, the BRI has slightly increased, averaging 32.4%. When compared to the 2000s average of 37.7%, the current value is about 4.4 percentage points lower. Serbia holds the lowest BRI both globally, ranking 35th out of 35, and in Europe, where it is placed 30th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.