Population policy

The Strategy for Active and Healthy Aging in the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2024 to 2030 was adopted in September 2023. Conceptually, it is based on the previous Strategy (National Strategy on Aging 2006-2015), it is harmonized with the recommendations and obligations of the Madrid Action Plan on Aging (2002) and the Regional Strategy for its implementation in Europe. After the end of the strategic period of the Strategy from 2005 and the adoption of the report on its evaluation, the active and healthy involvement of persons aged 65 and over in all social and other areas was proclaimed as the general goal of the new Strategy, which is achieved through five individual goals based on the principles of active aging, gender equality, intergenerational and intragenerational solidarity, lifelong learning, digital competences, population education, participation and integration, intersectoral cooperation and the living of the elderly in their home.

Public health strategy in the Republic of Serbia 2018-2026. was adopted in July 2017. Through seven main goals, this document supports the improvement of health, disease prevention and prolonging the quality of life of the population. The strategy supports the fulfillment of social care for people’s health and encourages the responsibility of the state and society in ensuring the well-being of all citizens by improving health, extending the quality life expectancy, and preserving a healthy living and working environment. The importance of public health is emphasized through a universal and comprehensive multisectoral approach based on the principle of “health in all policies”.

Strategy on economic migration of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2021-2027. was adopted in February 2020 with the general goal to create an economic and social environment for slowing down the departure of the working-age population, strengthening ties with the diaspora, encouraging return and circular migration, as well as attracting foreigners with different educational profiles. The general goal defined in this way is articulated through six specific goals with an emphasis on tracking data on migration, improving working conditions, aligning the education system with the needs of the economy and attracting foreign students, cooperation with the diaspora, encouraging return and circular migration, and effective management of internal migration.

The birth incentive strategy (Pronatalist strategy) was adopted in 2008, but was revised and updated with the latest scientific knowledge and demographic data in March 2018. The general goal of the strategy is defined in the short term as reaching the cohort fertility rate of 1.85 in the next 10-15 years and in the long term as reaching the level of replacement fertility. Bearing in mind the complex deterministic basis of the phenomenon of below-replacement fertility, eight individual goals were formulated to support childbirth and parenting aimed at reproductive health and lowering the psychological, social and economic costs of parenting.

The youth strategy in the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2023 to 2030 was adopted at the beginning of 2023 with the general goal of improving the quality of life of young people. The mentioned general goal, through five specific goals, includes improvement of opportunities and conditions of youth work, more effective implementation of youth policies in all local self-government units, participation of young people in all areas of social life, equal opportunities, economic independence, healthy and safe environment and social welfare of young people.

The Migration Management Strategy was adopted in 2009 as a paragon document for all subsequent documents related to population migration. The general goal of this strategy is to manage migration in a comprehensive manner that will facilitate the achievement of sectoral goals and priorities of the state in the field of human migration. The three strategic goals are: establishment and implementation of mechanisms for comprehensive and consistent monitoring of migration flows in the Republic of Serbia; completing the strategic, legal and institutional framework for unified migration management; protecting the rights of migrants, creating conditions for integration and social inclusion, while raising awareness of the importance of migration. This document defines the elements of the migration policy of the Republic of Serbia (visa policy, integrated border management, regulated stay of foreigners, mechanisms for the integration of migrants into society, overall protection of its citizens who are working and living abroad, as well as an active employment policy) and establishes an institutional framework for its implementation.