BLAGOJEV KAMEN, Serbia - Uros Trainovic remembers when his small mining village in eastern Serbia was a vibrant home to 200 families, had a school of its own, a doctor and a shop. Near-empty villages with abandoned, crumbling houses can be seen all over Serbia — a clear symptom of a shrinking population that is raising acute questions over the economic well-being of the country. The decline is happening so fast it’s considered a national emergency and the United Nations has stepped in to help. According to the World Bank, Serbia’s population of just below 7 million is projected to fall to 5.8 million by 2050. Lutz, who directs the World Population Program for the IIASA, said small countries can have a competitive advantage.

Source: thestar February 07, 2020 08:58 UTC