Serbia

Integrated Policy and Programming

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Innovation and Learning

Language English

New approaches to tap talent and tackle depopulation

Serbia has one of the fastest declining populations in the world. At the present rate, by 2100, it is estimated that the country's population will drop by a quarter - leading to a smaller work force, a shrinking tax base and an ageing population. Tackling this issue has historically prompted fertility policies that provide financial incentives for families to have more children. But when children grow up, they may still leave. That is why UNDP is working through a radically different approach to address this complex challenge.

UNDP'S Response

UNDP is supporting Serbia to reframe depopulation beyond the issues of migration and fertility, proactively adapting to the new demographic reality. Applying the Finnish Innovation Fund's studio approach, UNDP brought together global experts in demography, ageing, migration, and economics to craft a portfolio of integrated solutions in January 2020. The goals include developing a ‘Global Serbia' that connects with its sizeable diaspora, establishing a 22nd century education for future work, and engaging Serbians 50 years and older as contributors rather than as social and economic burdens. UNDP is now creating a fund and designing an 'architecture of solutions', in partnership with others, to help operationalise these suggestions at entry points identified by the UNDP Accelerator Lab. This new approach also helped UNDP to quickly respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on new partnerships in the tech community and leveraging lessons learned from the design of an integrated solutions portfolio.

Partners

Government of Serbia

UNFPA

ILO

Sitra

This solution is advancing

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Stories

An architecture of solutions to tackle depopulation

Over the next decade, Serbia's population could decrease by 6.7 percent-the steepest decline in theWestern Balkans, according to a study commissioned by UNDP. Tackling depopulation has historicallyprompted fertility policies that provide financial incentives for families tohave more children. But whenchildren grow up, they may still leave. This has led UNDP to work in radically different ways to addressthe challenge-and design integrated solutions that can help build a more sustainable future. Borrowingfrom the FinnishInnovation Fund Sitra and its studio approach, UNDP is supporting Serbia to come upwith a strategic vision and a ‘top 10 list' of actionable interventions to help the country get there.

In Serbia, New Approaches to Tap Talent and Tackle Depopulation

Diaspora and age-friendly communities can help build a thriving society

How to Reverse a Shrinking Population

An integrated approach helps tackle demographic challenges in Serbia

Focal Points

Francine Pickup

Resident Representative

UNDP Serbia