Serbia
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
56 / 100
Partly Free
Internet Freedom
67 / 100
Partly Free
Nations in Transit
43 / 100
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
Serbia is a parliamentary democracy with competitive multiparty elections, but in recent years the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has steadily eroded political rights and civil liberties, putting pressure on independent media, the political opposition, and civil society organizations.
Research & Recommendations
Serbia
Partly Free
56
100
| PR Political Rights | 18 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 38 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
57
100
Partly Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
Serbia is a parliamentary republic that holds multiparty elections, but in recent years the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has steadily eroded political rights and civil liberties, putting legal and extralegal pressure on independent media, the political opposition, and civil society organizations.
Freedom in the World 2025 Policy Recommendations
Prioritize strengthening the rule of law and delivering economic dividends in the aftermath of political transitions
In countries where democratic forces have come to power after periods of antidemocratic rule, the new governments should pursue an agenda that protects and expands freedoms even as it delivers tangible economic and social benefits to citizens.
In countries emerging from war or the collapse of authoritarian regimes, focus on safety, reconciliation, reform
These countries must act swiftly to release all political prisoners, build or revitalize democratic institutions, reform police and other security forces, organize and hold competitive multiparty elections, and ensure accountability for past human rights violations.
Bolster checks and balances to mitigate the threat of democratic backsliding
In countries where there has been significant erosion of political rights and civil liberties, policymakers, legislators, jurists, civic activists, and donor communities should work to strengthen institutional guardrails and norms that serve to constrain elected leaders with antidemocratic or illiberal aims.
Serbia
Partly Free
67
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 21 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 24 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 22 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
70
100
Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Political Overview
Serbia is a parliamentary republic that holds multiparty elections, but over the past decade the ruling Serbian Progressive Party has steadily eroded political rights and civil liberties, putting legal and extralegal pressure on independent media, the political opposition, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens who express dissent.
Freedom on the Net 2025 Policy Recommendations
Countering Restrictions on Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression online has been and is increasingly under attack as governments shut off internet connectivity, block social media platforms, and restrict access to websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards for digital communications.
Countering Manipulation of the Online Environment
Governments should encourage a whole-of-society approach to fostering a high-quality, diverse, and trustworthy information space. The Global Declaration on Information Integrity Online identifies best practices for safeguarding the information ecosystem, to which governments should adhere.
Countering Restrictions on Privacy and Disproportionate Government Surveillance
Comprehensive data-protection regulations and industry policies on data protection are essential for upholding privacy and combating disproportionate government surveillance, but they require careful crafting to ensure that they do not contribute to internet fragmentation—the siloing of the global internet into nation-based segments—and cannot be used by governments to undermine privacy and other fundamental freedoms.
Serbia
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
43
100
| DEMOCRACY-PERCENTAGE Democracy Percentage | 43.45 100 |
| DEMOCRACY-SCORE Democracy Score | 3.61 7 |
Last Year's Democracy Percentage & Status
46
100
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 1 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The Democracy Percentage, introduced in 2020, is a translation of the Democracy Score to the 0-100 scale, where 0 equals least democratic and 100 equals most democratic.
See the methodology.
Executive Summary
Political life in Serbia in 2023 was impacted by several major shocks, from two mass shootings on May 3 and 4 to various events concerning Kosovo, including violence in May and September and agreements reached in Brussels and in the Macedonian city of Ohrid in February and March, respectively. The two shootings led to the largest protests of the century in Serbia, while the events in Kosovo brought pressure on the Serbian government from both the international community and the domestic public. The turmoil culminated in snap parliamentary and local elections held on December 17.
Nations in Transit 2024 Policy Recommendations
Ensure that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is soundly defeated.
The future of European democracy and security is now inextricably linked to the fate of Ukraine. European Union (EU) and NATO member states must not only invest far more—and more efficiently—in their collective defense, but also provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs to roll back Russian advances and build a durable democracy of its own.
Support democratic renewal and reform.
In addition to defending the international order from emboldened autocrats, democratic governments must attend to democratic renewal within Europe, particularly among nascent democracies.
Provide consistent messaging and support to Europe’s aspiring democracies.
Military aggression from autocracies in the region has underscored the dangers of exclusion from democracy-based organizations like the EU and NATO, galvanizing the political will of policymakers in aspiring member states and generating further public pressure to undertake long-sought democratic reforms.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
56
/ 100
Partly Free
Freedom on the Net Score
67
/ 100
Partly Free
Nations in Transit Score
43
/ 100
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
Population: 6,664,000
Internet Facts
Status
Partly Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
No
Pro-government Commentators
Yes
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
December 17, 2023
Type of Election
Snap parliamentary
Internet Penetration
84.40%
Election Year
2023
Vulnerability Index
59
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
