Serbia

SERBIA
Society
* Structure & Social Classes
The social structure of ex-Yugoslavia followed a vertical line, restored by the division of labor: a hierarchical division of the population by the governing and executive group. The governing group consists of political and economic leaders. Their common characteristic is privileged status in the production of social life. Theposition of political leaders is based primarily on global control of the economy and centralized economic and political management. The position of leaders in the economy is based on the creation of autonomous economic subjects and on the mediation of the market, and it is subordinated to political leaders. Differences in interests between these two groups form a potential for conflicts, althoughtheir privileged status keeps them united in relation to other social groups.
Between the governing and the executive group, a middle class developed, consisting basically of two groups, which operated as a network of mediation. The first works in science, education, health care, and culture. The second works for the governing group in the field of banking, insurance, management and repression.Following upon its direct connection to the government, this group has a slightly better social position than the others.
* Ethnic Groups
The ethnic makeup of Serbia’s population is diverse; they are around 40 different nationalities living side by side with the Serb majority. All citizens have the same rights and duties and enjoy full ethnic equality.
According to the last census in 2002,the Republic of Serbia has 7,498, 001 inhabitants. Serbs comprise 82.86% of the population, Hungarians 3.91%, Bosniaks 1.81%, Roma 1.44%, Yugoslavs 1.08%, Croatians 0.94%, Montenegrins 0.92%, Albanians 0.82%, Slovaks 0.79%, Vlachs 0.53%, Romanians 0.46%, Macedonians 0.34%, Bulgarians and Bunjevci 0.27% each, Muslims 0.26%, Rusyns 0.21%, Slovenes and Ukrainians 0.07% each, Gorani 0.06%, Germans 0.05%and Russians and Czechs 0.03% each.
* Poverty
Bellow poverty line 700.000 citizens in Serbia
Belgrade, Feb. 22, 2010, (Serbia Today) – According to the statement by the Serbian Minister of Labor and Social Politics Rasim Ljajic to the press, the number of citizens living bellow the poverty line in 2009 was higher that in previous years. It is estimated that some 670.000 to 700.000 people inSerbia lives bellow poverty line, which is close to 10% of total population.
In 2008, this index was at 7.9%. Some 160.000 people has been covered by the state welfare programs at the moment, and thanks to the new welfare law that is in making, welfare benefits will be extended this year to another 90.000 recipients, Ljajic told reporters.

* Statistics
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Conclusion:According to all the data we have, we can say that Serbia is country with lot of different ethnic groups, but they have learned to live in peace to improve their country. Then, talking about poverty, we can see that it has increased in the last years, and nowadays the people in Serbia who lives bellow poverty is close to the 10% of total population.

Economics
* Economic activities

*Financial system
Financial system in Serbia is a network of institutions, which consists of 34 banks, 22 insurance companies, 17 leasing companies and 9 voluntary pension funds. Within the financial system of Serbia banks have a very dominant role and run with 90% of total financial assets.
The growth of the banking sector in Serbia in 2008 was slowed as a result of restrictive monetary andprudential policy, and in the fourth quarter as a result of the global economic crisis. The period of credit expansion that lasted from 2004 ended in the last quarter of 2008. Since then credit activity achieved the minimum real growth in some months, while retail loans achieved a nominal decrease. This situation is caused by the reduction of demand for loans due to negative macroeconomic trends...