World Factbook
Serbia
Republika Srbija
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white; the national coat of arms is shifted to the left side; the principal field of the coat of arms displays a two-headed white eagle on a red shield; a smaller red shield on the eagle is divided into four quarters by a white cross; a royal crown is on top of the coat of arms meaning: red, blue, and white are the pan-Slav colors that represent freedom and revolutionary ideals; the eagle on a red shield represents the government; the smaller shield represents the country; the meaning and origin of the curved white symbols in each quarter are not clear
note: the pan-Slav colors were inspired by Russia's flag
Capital
name
Belgrade (Beograd)
etymology
the name comes from the Serbian words beo (white) and grad (city); it probably referred to the white stone of the city fortress
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
44 50 N, 20 30 E
Suffrage
18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Serbia
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
3 years
Constitution
history
many previous; latest adopted 30 September 2006, approved by referendum 28-29 October 2006, effective 8 November 2006
amendment process
proposed by at least one third of deputies in the National Assembly, by the president of the republic, by the government, or by petition of at least 150,000 voters; passage of proposals and draft amendments each requires at least two-thirds majority vote in the Assembly; amendments to constitutional articles including the preamble, constitutional principles, and human and minority rights and freedoms also require passage by simple majority vote in a referendum
Country name
former
People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia
etymology
the country takes its name from the Serb people; the origin of their name is unclear but may derive from the Caucasian root word ser , meaning "man"
local long form
Republika Srbija
local short form
Srbija
conventional long form
Republic of Serbia
conventional short form
Serbia
Independence
5 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro); notable earlier dates: 1217 (Serbian Kingdom established); 16 April 1346 (Serbian Empire established); 13 July 1878 (Congress of Berlin recognizes Serbian independence); 1 December 1918 (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes established, later known as Yugoslavia)
Legal system
civil law system
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of 36 judges, including the court president); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 judges, including the court president and vice president)
subordinate courts
basic courts, higher courts, appellate courts; courts of special jurisdiction include the Administrative Court, commercial courts, and misdemeanor courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court justices proposed by the High Judicial Council (HJC), an 11-member independent body consisting of 8 judges elected by the National Assembly and 3 ex-officio members; justices appointed by the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges elected - 5 each by the National Assembly, the president, and the Supreme Court of Cassation; initial appointment of Supreme Court judges by the HJC is 3 years and beyond that period tenure is permanent; Constitutional Court judges elected for 9-year terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet elected by the National Assembly
chief of state
President Aleksandar VUCIC (since 31 May 2017)
election results
2022: Aleksandar VUCIC reelected in first round; percent of vote - Aleksandar VUCIC (SNS) 60%, Zdravko PONOS (US) 18.9%, Milos JOVANOVIC (NADA) 6.1%, Bosko OBRADOVIC (Dveri-POKS) 4.5%, Milica DJURDJEVIC STAMENKOVSKI (SSZ) 4.3%, other 6.2% 2017: Aleksandar VUCIC elected president in first round; percent of vote - Aleksandar VUCIC (SNS) 55.1%, Sasa JANKOVIC (independent) 16.4%, Luka MAKSIMOVIC (independent) 9.4%, Vuk JEREMIC (independent) 5.7%, Vojislav SESELJ (SRS) 4.5%, other 7.3%, invalid/blank 1.6%; Prime Minister Ana BRNABIC reelected by the National Assembly on 5 October 2020; National Assembly vote - NA
head of government
Prime Minister Djuro MACUT (since 16 April 2025)
most recent election date
17 December 2023
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister elected by the National Assembly
expected date of next election
2028
National holiday
Statehood Day, 15 February (1835), the day the first constitution of the country was adopted
National color(s)
red, blue, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
4 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Stari Ras and Sopoćani; Studenica Monastery; Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius; Stećci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards
Political parties
Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM or VMSZ Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina or DSHV Democratic Party or DS Ecological Uprising or EU Green - Left Front or ZLF Greens of Serbia or ZS Justice and Reconciliation Party or SPP (formerly Bosniak Democratic Union of Sandzak or BDZS) Movement for Reversal or PZP Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia or POKS Movement of Free Citizens or PSG Movement of Socialists or PS National Democratic Alternative or NADA (electoral coalition includes NDSS and POKS) New Communist Party of Yugoslavia or NKPJ New Democratic Party of Serbia or NDSS or New DSS (formerly Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS) New Face of Serbia or NLS Party of Democratic Action of the Sandzak or SDAS Party of Freedom and Justice or SSP Party of United Pensioners, Farmers, and Proletarians of Serbia – Solidarity and Justice or PUPS - Solidarity and Justice (formerly Party of United Pensioners of Serbia or PUPS) People's Movement of Serbia or NPS People's Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija or Fatherland People's Peasant Party or NSS Political Battle of the Albanians Continues Russian Party or RS Serbia Against Violence or SPN (electoral coalition includes DS, SSP, ZLF, Zajedno, NPS, PSG, EU, PZP, USS Sloga, NLS, Fatherland) Serbia Must Not Stop (electoral coalitions includes SNS, SDPS, PUPS, PSS, SNP, SPO, PS, NSS, USS) Serbian People's Party or SNP Serbian Progressive Party or SNS Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO Social Democratic Party of Serbia or SDPS Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS Strength of Serbia or PSS Together or ZAJEDNO United Peasant Party or USS United Serbia or JS United Trade Unions of Serbia "Sloga" or USS Sloga We - The Voice from the People or MI-GIN
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
250 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Assembly (Narodna skupstina)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
12/17/2023
expected date of next election
December 2027
percentage of women in chamber
37.2%
parties elected and seats per party
Aleksandar Vucic – Serbia Must Not Stop (129); Serbia Against Violence (65); Ivica Dacic - Prime Minister of Serbia (18); Dr Miloš Jovanović - Hope for Serbia (13); We – Voice of the People, Prof. Dr. Branimir Nestorovic (13); Other (12)
National anthem(s)
title
"Boze pravde" (God of Justice)
history
adopted 1904; song originally written as part of a play in 1872, and the Serbian people have used it as an anthem in the 20th and 21st centuries
lyrics/music
Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO
National symbol(s)
white double-headed eagle
Administrative divisions
117 municipalities ( opstine , singular - opstina ) and 28 cities ( gradovi , singular - grad ) municipalities: Ada*, Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Alibunar*, Apatin*, Arandelovac, Arilje, Babusnica, Bac*, Backa Palanka*, Backa Topola*, Backi Petrovac*, Bajina Basta, Batocina, Becej*, Bela Crkva*, Bela Palanka, Beocin*, Blace, Bogatic, Bojnik, Boljevac, Bosilegrad, Brus, Bujanovac, Cajetina, Cicevac, Coka*, Crna Trava, Cuprija, Despotovac, Dimitrov, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Golubac, Gornji Milanovac, Indija*, Irig*, Ivanjica, Kanjiza*, Kladovo, Knic, Knjazevac, Koceljeva, Kosjeric, Kovacica*, Kovin*, Krupanj, Kucevo, Kula*, Kursumlija, Lajkovac, Lapovo, Lebane, Ljig, Ljubovija, Lucani, Majdanpek, Mali Idos*, Mali Zvornik, Malo Crnice, Medveda, Merosina, Mionica, Negotin, Nova Crnja*, Nova Varos, Novi Becej*, Novi Knezevac*, Odzaci*, Opovo*, Osecina, Paracin, Pecinci*, Petrovac na Mlavi, Plandiste*, Pozega, Presevo, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raca, Raska, Razanj, Rekovac, Ruma*, Secanj*, Senta*, Sid*, Sjenica, Smederevska Palanka, Sokobanja, Srbobran*, Sremski Karlovci*, Stara Pazova*, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Svrljig, Temerin*, Titel*, Topola, Trgoviste, Trstenik, Tutin, Ub, Varvarin, Velika Plana, Veliko Gradiste, Vladicin Han, Vladimirci, Vlasotince, Vrbas*, Vrnjacka Banja, Zabalj*, Zabari, Zagubica, Zitiste*, Zitorada cities: Beograd (Belgrade), Bor, Cacak, Jagodina, Kikinda*, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krusevac, Leskovac, Loznica, Nis, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad*, Pancevo*, Pirot, Pozarevac, Prokuplje, Sabac, Smederevo, Sombor*, Sremska Mitrovica*, Subotica*, Uzice, Valjevo, Vranje, Vrsac*, Zajecar, Zrenjanin*
note: the northern 37 municipalities and 8 cities -- about 28% of Serbia's area -- compose the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and are indicated with an asterisk
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 332-3933
chancery
1333 16th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 507-8654
chief of mission
Ambassador Dragan ŠUTANOVAC (since 24 July 2025)
consulate(s) general
Chicago, New York
email address and website
info@serbiaembusa.org http://www.washington.mfa.gov.rs/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[381] (11) 706-4481
embassy
92 Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica, 11040 Belgrade
telephone
[381] (11) 706-4000
mailing address
5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Alexander TITOLO (since January 2025)
email address and website
belgradeacs@state.gov https://rs.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
note: Serbia is an EU candidate country and must complete accession criteria before being granted full membership
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction