BELGRADE, Serbia – The Ministry for Family Care and Demography of the Republic of Serbia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Serbia celebrated World Population Day today with a joint event under the slogan "A Future without Barriers: What Do the Decisions of Young People Depend On?" .

This year's observance was inspired by a new global report and research by the UN Population Fund regarding young people's decisions about relationships, parenthood, and the future. The research was conducted among youth aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries and territories, including Serbia and ten other countries and territories in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 

While the global results will be officially presented on July 7 in New York, today's event in Belgrade provided an opportunity to open a dialogue with representatives of state institutions, international organizations, experts, and youth about what shapes young people's choices and how society can help them realize their plans.  

During the event, Minister for Family Care and Demography, Jelena Žarić Kovačević, emphasized the importance of a strategic state response to the needs of youth:  "Our task as policymakers and decision-makers is not to make decisions instead of young people, but to inspire them—to create conditions in which their choices will be easier, safer, and more predictable. The state must be a partner to young people—to hear them, understand them, and support them in achieving their potential."   

Minister added that it is of particular importance that the Council for Family and Demography, headed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, adopted a comprehensive Analysis of the Demographic Situation of the Republic of Serbia at the initiative of the Ministry for Family Care and Demography. The Council issued a recommendation to intensify further work on drafting the Demographic Development Strategy for the period 2026-2036 with significant support from UNFPA, with projections extending up to 2050. 

“Successful demographic policies are those that expand opportunities for people. When young people can see a future, families have the support they need, and everyone can make informed choices about their lives, societies become stronger and more resilient,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Matilde Mordt.

Head of the UNFPA Office in Serbia, Borka Jeremić, emphasized that the results of the global research represent a valuable source of evidence for creating local measures tailored to youth.  "This research provides a precious insight into what young people truly want and the barriers they face when planning their future and parenthood. Although the global results will be presented next week, we are glad to have had the opportunity right here in Belgrade today to kickstart an important conversation on how to concretely support youth in Serbia to realize their plans in accordance with their own wishes and choices."   

Following the introductory remarks, a panel discussion was held featuring Ivana Antonijević, Assistant Minister for Youth at the Ministry of Tourism and Youth of the Government of the Republic of Serbia; Prof. Dr. Mirjana Rašević, corresponding member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and member of the Council for Family and Demography; Milena Nikolov, Market Area P&C Business Partner at IKEA; and Jovan Ćuk, coordinator of the Youth Office of the Municipality of Bečej, the first Youth Capital of the Republic of Serbia for the year 2027.  

During the panel discussion, the participants paid special attention to the phenomenon known as the "fertility gap"—the difference between the number of children young people desire and the number they actually have. It was pointed out that preliminary findings from the research indicate that many respondents at the upper limit of the studied age range (from 35 to 39 years old) have still not reached their desired family size.  

The panel concluded that these findings confirm the desire for parenthood and family exists, but also that decisions to fulfill those wishes depend on numerous factors and circumstances under which people make life choices—including economic, social, institutional, and personal aspects. For this reason, it is critical that we as a society continue to work together to create a supportive environment that enables people to achieve their life and family plans.