In 2025, in the Republic of Serbia, the number of live births amounted to 59 483 and the number of deaths to 95 247. The natural increase was -35 764 inhabitants. The number of inhabitants in the Republic of Serbia was estimated at 6 549 901 in 2025.
The mentioned values are the result of cumulative negative demographic effects over a longer period of time. From 2016 to 2025, only based on the natural increase the number of inhabitants in the Republic of Serbia decreased by 434 948.
Table 1. Vital events, 2016‒2025
| Republic of Serbia | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Average per year (2016-2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | 64734 | 64894 | 63975 | 64399 | 61692 | 62180 | 62700 | 61052 | 60845 | 59483 | 62595 |
| Deaths | 100834 | 103722 | 101655 | 101458 | 116850 | 136622 | 109203 | 97081 | 98230 | 95247 | 106090 |
| Natural increase | -36100 | -38828 | -37680 | -37059 | -55158 | -74442 | -46503 | -36029 | -37385 | -35764 | -43495 |
The natural increase rate in the Republic of Serbia amounted to -5.5‰ (the negative value decreased by 0.2‰, compared with the value in 2024). Beogradski region, as in 2024, recorded the lowest negative value of the natural increase rate (-2.4‰), while the highest negative value of this rate was noted in Region Južne i Istočne Srbije (-7.8‰).
Оf the total number of cities/municipalities in the Republic of Serbia, the natural increase rate in 2025 was positive in eight municipalities: Novi Pazar (7.2‰), Tutin (7.2‰), Sjenica (2.6‰), Bujanovac (0.8‰), Zvezdara (0.5‰), Preševo (0.3‰) Surčin (0.1‰) and Novi Sad (0.0‰), which is for two municipalities more than the previous year.
The largest number of births, 18 299, 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 31.2, while in other settlements it was 29.0. 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 lower in 2025 than in the previous year, amounting to 1.62. Observed by regions, the total fertility rate was the highest in Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije (1.66) and Region Vojvodine (1.62), and the lowest in Region Južne i Istočne Srbije (1.57) and Beogradski Region (1.60).
According to birth order, in the Republic of Serbia in 2025, compared to the previous year, the number of first-born children decreased by 825, the number of second-born children decreased by 536, and the number of third-born children decreased by 44, meanwhile, the number of fourth-born children increased by 14, and the number of fifth-born and later children increased by 32. When looking at regions, first-born children (49.8%) were the most numerous in Beogradski Region (of the total number of live births in Beogradski Region). The number of second-born children (35.5%) was the highest in the Region Južne i Istočne Srbije, while the shares of third-born (16.5%) and fourth-born (4.7%) children were the highest in the Region of Šumadije and Zapadne Srbije. The highest percentage of fifth-born and children of higher birth orders was in the Region Vojvodine (2.9%).
Table 2. Population natural changes, by regions
| Population 30.06. | Births | Deaths | Natural increase | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | Stillbirths | Total | infant deaths | |||
| REPUBLIC OF SERBIA | 6549901 | 59483 | 424 | 95247 | 258 | -35764 |
| SRBIJA – SEVER | 3397708 | 32677 | 224 | 46956 | 145 | -14279 |
| Beogradski region | 1681470 | 17263 | 120 | 21285 | 89 | -4022 |
| Region Vojvodine | 1716238 | 15414 | 104 | 25671 | 56 | -10257 |
| SRBIJA – JUG | 3152193 | 26806 | 200 | 48291 | 113 | -21485 |
| Region Šumadije i Zapadne Srbije | 1782898 | 15387 | 115 | 26246 | 64 | -10859 |
| Region Južne i Istočne Srbije | 1369295 | 11419 | 85 | 22045 | 49 | -10626 |
| Region Kosovo i Metohija | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
In the Republic of Serbia, according to data for 2025, a total of 95 247 deaths were registered (47 562 men and 47 685 women). The average age at death was 75.6 years. The highest number of deaths occurred in the 75 to 84 age group.
The number of deaths due to violence decreased (by 118) compared to the previous year and amounted to 2 377. The number of suicides in 2025 was 556, which is 147 cases fewer than in 2024. The number of homicides is 64, which is 9 cases more than in 2024.
The leading cause of death for both sexes was circulatory system diseases, leading to 44 603 deaths (46.8% of total deaths), of which 20 659 men and 23 944 women. The second most common cause was neoplasms, from which 21 526 persons died in 2025 (22.6% of total deaths), i.e. 11 544 men and 9 982 women. In third place were respiratory system diseases, with 6 051 deaths (6.4% of the total), i.e. 3 326 men and 2 725 women.
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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 2025 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).