Population figures
Total country population
7,097,028
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
32,892
Asylum-seekers:
224
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
209,784
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
2,208
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
573
Country context
Serbia, located in Southeast Europe shares borders with Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country has historically been home for forcibly displaced persons, and its refugee, internally displaced person (IDP), and stateless populations consist of individuals from various regions, including Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Kosovo, and other parts of the former Yugoslavia. Displaced populations in Serbia live in a range of locations, including reception centers, informal settlements, and urban areas, with asylum-seekers and refugees often accommodated alongside migrants in shared facilities.
Serbia has passed the Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection and the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Act in Kosovo, which provide a basis for the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers. The legal framework includes measures for preventing refoulement, ensuring access to territory, and providing protection through asylum procedures.
...Statelessness continues to be a concern, particularly among individuals from Kosovo and the Roma community. While Serbia has committed to resolving in situ statelessness by the end of 2024, challenges remain in birth registration and the issuance of personal documentation, which are necessary to ensure access to rights and services for displaced populations.
Serbia has also taken steps towards improving the integration of refugees and asylum-seekers into society. The legal system has been enhanced to allow asylum-seekers to work six months after submitting their application, and it has introduced the possibility of permanent residence for those granted international protection, which is a prerequisite for acquiring citizenship. Recent legislation also provides for the issuance of biometric travel documents to those granted international protection.
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