In 2022, in the Republic of Serbia, the number of live births amounted to 62 700 and the number of deaths to 109 203. The natural increase was -46 503 inhabitants. The number of inhabitants in the Republic of Serbia was estimated at 6 664 449 in 2022.
The mentioned values are the result of cumulative negative demographic effects over a longer period of time. From 2013 to 2022, only based on the natural increase the number of inhabitants in the Republic of Serbia decreased by 433 323.
Table 1. Vital events, 2013-2022
| Republic of Serbia | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Average per year (2013-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | 65554 | 66461 | 65657 | 64734 | 64894 | 63975 | 64399 | 61692 | 62180 | 62700 | 64225 |
| Deaths | 100300 | 101247 | 103678 | 100834 | 103722 | 101655 | 101458 | 116850 | 136622 | 109203 | 107557 |
| Natural increase | -34746 | -34786 | -38021 | -36100 | -38828 | -37680 | -37059 | -55158 | -74442 | -46503 | -43332 |
The natural increase rate in the Republic of Serbia amounted to -7,0‰ (the negative value went down by 3.9‰, compared with the value in 2021). Beogradski region, as in 2021, recorded the lowest negative value of the natural increase rate (-3,7‰), while the highest negative value of this rate was noted in Region Južne i Istočne Srbije (-9.8‰).
Оf the total number of cities/municipalities in the Republic of Serbia, the natural increase rate in 2022 was positive in four municipalities: Тutin (10.8‰), Novi Pazar (8.2‰), Preševo (3.0‰) and Sjenica (1.2 ‰).
The largest number of births, 19 173, was recorded in the age group of women aged from 30 tо 34. The average women’s age at birth of child was 30.3, while the average women’s age at birth of first child was 28.9. In urban settlements, the average women’s age at birth of child was 31.1, while in other settlements it was 28.7. Live births in urban settlements accounted for 65.9% of the total number of live births, and in other settlements it accounted for 34.1%.
The total fertility rate, i.e. the number of live births per woman was higher in 2022 than in the previous year, amounting to 1.63. Observed by regions, the total fertility rate was the highest in Region Vojvodine and Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije, being 1.67, and the lowest in Region Južne i Istočne Srbije where it amounted to 1.56. The total fertility rate in Beogradski region amounted to 1.58.
According to birth order in the Republic of Serbia the number of first births in total births increased by 660 in 2022, compared with the previous year. When looking at regions, first born children were the most numerous in Beogradski region (50.8% of the total number of live births in Beogradski region), while the share of third born children (15.6%) and fourth born children (4.5%) was the highest in Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije, and that of fifth born children in Region Vojvodine (2.5%). There were almost no regional differences as to second born children.
Table 2. Population natural changes, by regions
| Population 30.06. | Births | Deaths | Natural increase | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | Stillbirths | Total | infant deaths | |||
| REPUBLIC OF SERBIA | 6664449 | 62700 | 337 | 109203 | 250 | -46503 |
| SRBIJA – SEVER | 3428249 | 34317 | 200 | 53214 | 143 | -18897 |
| Beogradski region | 1684259 | 17753 | 101 | 23912 | 68 | -6159 |
| Region Vojvodine | 1743990 | 16564 | 99 | 29302 | 75 | -12738 |
| SRBIJA – JUG | 3236200 | 28383 | 137 | 55989 | 107 | -27606 |
| Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije | 1824896 | 16434 | 81 | 30226 | 52 | -13792 |
| Region Južne i Istočne Srbije | 1411304 | 11949 | 56 | 25763 | 55 | -13814 |
| Region Kosovo i Metohija | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
In 2022, there were 109 203 deaths (54 948 men and 54 255 women) in the Republic of Serbia. The average age of the deceased person was 75.6. The largest number of deaths was noted in the age interval from 75 tо 84.
When compared with the previous year, the number of violent deaths fell and amounted to 2 491. The number of suicides in 2022 was 770, by 113 cases less than in 2021.
Diseases of the circulatory system were the leading cause of death, taking the life of 51 624 persons (47.3% of the total number of deaths): 23 695 men and 27 929 women. Neoplasms took the second place and the life of 20 167 persons in 2022 (18.5% оf the total number of deaths), that is 11 036 men and 9 131 women, while diseases that can be related to COVID-19 ranked third, of which 8 282 persons died (7.6% оf the total number of deaths), that is 4 551 men and 3 731 women.
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Methological explanations
The general natality rate is the number of live births per 1000 inhabitants in the reference year. The general mortality rate is the number of deaths per 1000 inhabitants in the reference year. The natural increase rate is the difference between the birth rate and death rate in the reference year.
The estimated number of inhabitants in 2022 was calculated on the basis of the results of the 2022 Census of Population, Households and Dwellings, natural increase and internal migrations.
Starting from 1998 the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia has not available data for AP Kosovo and Metohija therefore these data are not included in the coverage for the Republic of Serbia (total)