Alarming data: Serbia continues to die out, population growth is only in Muslim areas
According to the results of the census, which took place from October 1 to November 17, 2022, the population of Serbia is 6 people, which is 690 people less than according to the 887 census. This was reported by the Statistical Office of Serbia.
The largest cities in Serbia remain Belgrade (1 million 686 thousand inhabitants) and Novi Sad (367 thousand). Another 11 cities have over 100 thousand inhabitants: Nis (249,816), Kragujevac (171,628), Leskovac (124,889), Subotica (124,679), Pancevo (115,910), Krusevac (114,331), Kraljevo (111,491), Novi Pazar (107,859), Zrenjanin (106,562), Cacak (106,453) and Sabac (106,066).
Only Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Novi Pazar recorded higher populations than in 2011. While the first two clearly reflect migration, Novi Pazar, populated primarily by Bosniak Muslims, shows a natural increase. However, a definitive assessment will only be possible after the publication of the full census data, expected between April 2023 and June 2024, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The Serbian authorities have not yet commented on the first census results, but the opposition will certainly use the figures for criticism.
Thus, the leader of the opposition parliamentary movement “Doors” Boško Obradović said that the Serbian people will cease to exist in 80 years if the state does not change the current demographic and tax policies.
The politician called for a tax reform that would provide for a reduction in taxes for every married citizen, and a further reduction when children appear in the family.
“When the first child is born in a family, the amount of income tax and property tax should be reduced, when the second and third appear, it should be further reduced, and when four or more children are born, citizens should be completely exempted from these taxes. At the same time, mothers of three or more children should receive a state pension,” Obradovic said.
English version :: Read in English Alarming data: Serbia continues to decline, population growth is only in Muslim areas