Living Standards Measurements Study - Serbia 2002 - 2007

However, there is an increase in the proportion
of single member households (from 17.5 percent in
2003 to 18.6 percent in 2007) and households with
five and more members (from 16.4 percent in 2003
to 18.2 percent in 2007). The increase of the
proportion of single member households is
expected, firstly due to the ageing process of the
population which adds to the number of single
member households of senior citizens both in urban
and rural settlements. On the other hand, the
increase in the proportion of the households
consisting of many members, in a country with a
low birth rate, indicates the still widespread
tradition of several generations of blood relatives
living together (multi-generation families). This
phenomenon is especially common in rural areas
where the proportion of the households with five
and more members (23.4 percent) is practically
equal to the proportion of the households with two
members (23.3 percent).
Nuclear families with children are the most
common type of household in Serbia (31.3 percent).
Multi-generational families are in second place
(23.5 percent) and then come elderly households
(17.4 percent). The distribution of household type
varies by type of settlement. As much as 35 percent
of households in urban settlements belong to the
category of nuclear families, compared to 25.6
percent in rural areas. On the other hand, there are
more multi-generational families in rural areas (30.5
percent). This could be the result of a lack of
economic and material security, preventing people
from leaving families to set up their own home, as
well as the agricultural based activity of the rural
population. Elderly households are more common in
rural areas (20.9 percent in villages compared to
15.1 percent in towns) while the proportion of
singles under 65 years of age is slightly smaller in
villages than in towns (6.7 percent compared to 8.1
percent).
3.5. Conclusion
1. The gender composition of Serbia’s population
has not changed significantly compared to 2003.
It is still characterized by a higher proportion of
women except in the youngest age groups (0-14
and 15-29).
2. The regional aspect of age structure of the
population indicates that, apart from Belgrade
and Vojvodina (areas with more migration) the
majority of the population are aged 60+. The
high proportion of elderly in Serbia makes it one
of the “oldest” European countries.
3. The population structure by marital status does
not show any major changes compared to 2002
or 2003. However, the comparison of the marital
structure of the total population and marital
structure of the poor reveals a greater proportion
of widowed among the poor, which additionally
underlines the poverty of the oldest citizens of
Serbia.
4. Although, compared to the results of the Census
2002 and LSMS 2002 and 2003 there were no
major changes within the threefold division of
active population, those with personal income
and supported persons. There is however an
increase in the proportion of the active
population owing to the slight increase of active
people engaged in the informal sector.
Endnotes, Part 3
1 In 2006, life expectancy in Serbia was 75.9 years for women
and 70.6 years for men.
2 Although there is a slight increase in the proportion of the
households with three and more children (2.9 percent in 2003
compared to 3.3 percent in 2007) this is not due to the
increase of fertility in the period between the surveys.
3 This category includes active persons for whom it was not
possible to obtain a response.
4 The average household size in Belgrade and Vojvodina is 3
members; West Serbia and Sumadija 3.2; East Serbia 3.1 and
South East Serbia 3.4 members.
48 Living Standards Measurements Study - Serbia 2002 - 2007