In 2024, in the Republic of Serbia, the number of live births amounted to 60 845 and the number of deaths to 98 230. The natural increase was -37 385 inhabitants. The number of inhabitants in the Republic of Serbia was estimated at 6 586 476 in 2024.
The mentioned values are the result of cumulative negative demographic effects over a longer period of time. From 2015 to 2024, only based on the natural increase the number of inhabitants in the Republic of Serbia decreased by 437 205.
Table 1. Vital events, 2015‒2024
| Republic of Serbia | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Average per year (2015-2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | 65657 | 64734 | 64894 | 63975 | 64399 | 61692 | 62180 | 62700 | 61052 | 60845 | 63213 |
| Deaths | 103678 | 100834 | 103722 | 101655 | 101458 | 116850 | 136622 | 109203 | 97081 | 98230 | 106933 |
| Natural increase | -38021 | -36100 | -38828 | -37680 | -37059 | -55158 | -74442 | -46503 | -36029 | -37385 | -43720 |
The natural increase rate in the Republic of Serbia amounted to -5,7‰ (the negative value increased by 0.3‰, compared with the value in 2023). Beogradski region, as in 2023, recorded the lowest negative value of the natural increase rate (-2,5‰), while the highest negative value of this rate was noted in Region Južne i Istočne Srbije (-8.1‰).
Оf the total number of cities/municipalities in the Republic of Serbia, the natural increase rate in 2024 was positive in six municipalities: Тutin (7.3‰), Novi Pazar (6.5‰), Sjenica (1.0‰), Zvezdara (0.5‰), Novi Sad (0.5‰) and Pantelej (0.3‰), which is for two municipalities less than the previous year.
The largest number of births, 18 323, was recorded in the age group of women aged from 30 tо 34. The average women’s age at birth of child was 30.5, while the average women’s age at birth of first child was 29.1. In urban settlements, the average women’s age at birth of child was 31.3, while in other settlements it was 28.9. Live births in urban settlements accounted for 65.8% of the total number of live births, and in other settlements it accounted for 34.2%.
The total fertility rate, i.e. the number of live births per woman was slightly higher in 2024 than in the previous year, amounting to 1.63. Observed by regions, the total fertility rate was the highest in Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije (1.67) and Region Vojvodine (1.66), and the lowest in Beogradski Region (1.58) and Region Južne i Istočne Srbije (1.59).
According to birth order, in the Republic of Serbia in 2024, compared to the previous year, the number of first-born children decreased by 235, the number of second-born children decreased by 165, and the number of third-born children decreased by 22, meanwhile, the number of fourth-born children increased by 67, and the number of fifth-born and later children increased by 145. When looking at regions, first-born (49.9%) and second-born (35.2%) children were the most numerous in Beogradski region (of the total number of live births in Beogradski region). The number of third-born children (17.0%) was the highest in Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije, while the share of fourth-born children (4.6%) was the highest in Region Vojvodine and Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije. The highest percentage of fifth-born and children of higher birth orders is in Region Vojvodine (3.1%).
Table 2. Population natural changes, by regions
| Population 30.06. | Births | Deaths | Natural increase | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | Stillbirths | Total | infant deaths | |||
| REPUBLIC OF SERBIA | 6586476 | 60845 | 350 | 98230 | 281 | -37385 |
| SRBIJA – SEVER | 3407737 | 33331 | 180 | 48416 | 133 | -15085 |
| Beogradski region | 1682720 | 17331 | 100 | 21606 | 76 | -4275 |
| Region Vojvodine | 1725017 | 16000 | 80 | 26810 | 57 | -10810 |
| SRBIJA – JUG | 3178739 | 27514 | 170 | 49814 | 148 | -22300 |
| Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije | 1796123 | 15784 | 104 | 26941 | 79 | -11157 |
| Region Južne i Istočne Srbije | 1382616 | 11730 | 66 | 22873 | 69 | -11143 |
| Region Kosovo i Metohija | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
In the Republic of Serbia, according to data for 2024, a total of 98 230 deaths were registered (48 675 men and 49 555 women). The average age at death was 75.4 years. The highest number of deaths occurred in the 75 to 84 age group.
The number of deaths due to violence increased (by 153) compared to the previous year and amounted to 2 488. The number of suicides in 2024 was 702, which is 34 cases more than in 2023. The number of homicides is 55, which is 38 cases fewer than in 2023.
The leading cause of death for both sexes was circulatory system diseases, 46 289 deaths (47.1% of the total), including 21 000 men and 25 289 women. The second most common cause was neoplasms, from which 21 161 persons died in 2024 (21.5% of all deaths), including 11 446 men and 9 715 women. In third place were respiratory system diseases, with 6 036 deaths (6.1% of the total), including 3 362 men and 2 674 women.
More tables for this topic:
See more tables on this subject
Methological explanations
The general natality rate is the number of live births per 1 000 inhabitants in the reference year. The general mortality rate is the number of deaths per 1 000 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 2024 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)