Health systems in action: Serbia: 2022 edition

Overview

The Serbian health system is based on compulsory health insurance, and payroll contributions are the main source of public financing. The main purchaser of publicly funded health services is the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the state owns most health facilities and equipment. Public spending on health as a share of GDP is above the average for South-Eastern European countries. The benefits package covers a wide scope of services and 98% of the population, but financial protection is limited by co-payments.

Life expectancy in Serbia has increased but remains below the average of the WHO European Region. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in excess mortality and, according to data reported by Serbia to Eurostat, life expectancy at birth declined by 1.5 years between 2019 and 2020. Circulatory diseases and cancers are the most important causes of adult mortality and morbidity and uncontrolled hypertension is by far the leading risk factor affecting population health. Serbia has made progress towards combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by taking a One Health approach, and the sale of antibiotics in community pharmacies is now closely regulated.