Updated
Overview
Serbia has 4.2 times the population of Kosovo: 6.55 million people against 1.58 million (2025).
Serbia's economy is 8.0 times the size of Kosovo's, at $99.95B versus $12.46B.
Per person, Serbia is the wealthier of the two: $15,262 against $7,899 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Serbia | Kosovo | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $99.95B | $12.46B | 2025 | $89.08B / $11.15B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $15,262 | $7,899 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.0% | Higher: 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | 4.7% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 7.1% | 10.9% | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 45 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,559 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $696 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.55 million | 1.58 million | 2025 | 6.65 million / 1.98 million |
| Population growth | -0.6% | -1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.4 yrs | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 78.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 51% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 88% | Higher: 89% | 2024 / 2018 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 77,474 km² | 10,908 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 84.5/km² | 144.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 42 Mt | — | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.32B | $165.55M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 32,000 | — | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Kosovo is growing faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 2.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in Serbia and 3.9% in Kosovo.
People and society
Life expectancy is 2.3 years longer in Kosovo (78.2 vs 76.0).
Serbia is considerably more urbanized: 63% of people live in cities, against 51%.
Geography
By land area, Serbia is 7.1 times the size of Kosovo: 77,474 km² versus 10,908 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Serbia spends 14 times as much on defence as Kosovo: $2.32B versus $165.55M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Serbia carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.5%.
Frequently asked
- Is Serbia bigger than Kosovo?
- Serbia is larger by land area. Serbia covers 77,474 km² while Kosovo covers 10,908 km², so Serbia is 7.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Serbia or Kosovo?
- Serbia has the larger population: 6.55 million versus 1.58 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Serbia richer than Kosovo?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Serbia is richer: $15,262 against $7,899. Total GDP tells the same story: $99.95B for Serbia versus $12.46B for Kosovo.
- Who spends more on their military, Serbia or Kosovo?
- Serbia spends more: $2.32B versus $165.55M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).