In Serbia, some 21 thousand more people died in 2021 than the year before. In addition to the coronavirus pandemic, Serbia’s ageing society is also a contributing factor to the phenomenon. The government aims to reverse the negative trend by expanding family benefits.

The number of deaths grew significantly with the spread of coronavirus

The extent of the destruction caused by the coronavirus pandemic is increasingly apparent in the statistics. According to official statements, 21 thousand more people died in Serbia than had a year earlier. The monthly breakdown was different only in the summer months of July and August, when fewer people lost their lives than before. In those months the epidemic subsided, with hardly anybody contracting the virus. In September, however, the trend reversed course, and 3,000 more people died than 2020. The total number of deaths was 135,901 in the country in 2021.

Twice as many deaths as births

Perhaps the saddest data put out by the Republic’s Statistics Bureau is that the number of deaths is twice the number of births. Last year, the number of deaths increased by 21 thousand compared to 2020, whereas the figure is 30 thousand when compared to 2019. The coronavirus reached Europe in early 2020, so it is easy to draw the conclusion: similar to other countries, the increase in deaths are a direct result of the pandemic in the Balkan country. Before the pandemic, some 100 thousand people died every year, while 70 thousand babies were born. The data suggest that the number of deaths rose significantly in Serbia during the waves of the pandemic. Thus, the growth in deaths was the highest in spring and autumn last year compared to the year before. The most heavily impacted areas in terms of deaths were Sumadija and Western Serbia.

Data from the Health Ministry suggest that 9457 people died of the coronavirus last year in Serbia. This shows that the death toll for 2021 cannot be solely attributed directly to Covid, but an increasing number of people are dying from other diseases as well. Experts say this may be due to the prolonged epidemic situation, the pressure overload on the healthcare system and an ageing population.

Birth rates stagnating

While the number of deaths in the country is rising steeply, the same cannot be said of the number of births. About the same number of babies were born as a year earlier, with only a slight increase. According to the statistics, the number of newborn babies increased by 0.6 per cent, meaning that 369 more babies were born. In 2021, births totalled 61,693 babies in Serbia.

First child allowance upped significantly from 1 January

Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Serbian government tripled the financial support for first-born children from 1 January, providing parents 300,000 dinars (about 2,500 euros) for the first baby. Benefit monies are also granted for the second and third child, as well. In this case, parents can expect to receive 100,000 dinars (850 euros). In addition to this assisstance, parents receive 10,000 dinars (85 euros) per month for 2 years for the second child, and 12,000 dinars (100 euros) for 10 years for the third child.

If we do nothing, the nation will disappear, the Serbian president sounds the alarm

If the Serbian state does not do something, the Serbs will disappear, the country’s president said earlier, speaking about demographic data. Aleksandar Vucic told a press conference that the population is decreasing and the birth rate is barely above 1.5, resulting in 1.5 offspring per two residents. According to Mr Vucic, this number should be 2.15. The Serbian head of state underlined that the world’s experts have been trying to solve this problem for decades without success.

Rich countries tried immigration, but 50 years later they are still facing the same problems, Mr Vucic said. The labour force is not big enough to sustain a thriving economy.

According to the president, society is ageing and „it depends solely on us, on our actions, how we contribute to the development of our nation”, Mr Vucic added. The Serbian government is now working to ensure that more children are born in the country.