Serbia and Russia on the Demographic Map of Europe Two Decades After the Fall of Communism

Abstract

The study provides a comprehensive data analysis on total fertility rates, birth rates, life expectancy, percentage share of over 65 year olds, infant mortality rates and adolescent-specific fertility rates, in Russia and Serbia, two decades after the fall of communism and compares it with general values in Europe. The main problems in the demography of Russia and Serbia are connected with economic process, caused by economy transition, from planned economy to the free market, as one of the consequences of the fall. Finally, the authors concluded that the Russian demographic situation is characterized by depopulation processes just like in Serbia.

Spatial demographic inequalities and regional development in Serbia

“…As far as the number of the elderly is concerned, Serbia is classifi ed as one of the oldest states not only in Europe, but also in the world. Life expectancy rates are increasing and there are much more elderly people than young and active, in 1948in , 1953in , 1961in , 1971in , 1981in , 1991in , 2002in and 2011 which makes the pension burder heavier [14]. Th e smallest share of the population older than 65 was recorded in Belgrade and Vojvodina (16.3%); a slightly higher share was in Šumadija and Western Serbia (17.7%); and the largest, in Southern and Eastern Serbia, where almost a fi ft h of the population were older than 65 (19.4%).…”