Serbia

• Unemployment - nearly 19%¹ of people in Serbia are unemployed compared to the 7% EU average, with 36,000² unemployed in Nis.
• Poverty is widespread: The average salary is £120 per month. Over 70% of the population is over 65. Most elderly people live on the minimum pension of £60 per month. The worst affected are children under 13 years (8.9% in poverty), elderly people (9.5%), people with special needs (70%) and the Roma gypsy population.¹
• Drug addiction is a big problem. 73% of children between 12-16 years of age take marihuana. There are estimated to be 100,000 drug addicts in Serbia, mostly between the ages of 19-29, with 25,000 in Belgrade.³ Nis is a crossroads for narcotics.
• The number of children with special needs is hard to estimate, however the problem is very evident. Mental disability is considered to be an embarrassment, so there are no accurate statistics and care is poorly organised.
• Refugees - there are more than 30,000⁴ refugees
• Lack of education – 1.3m people haven’t finished elementary education⁵

With a population of around 250,000⁶, Nis is one of the most important industrial areas of Serbia. With its own airport, a main national motorway, railway and university, it is strategically important.

Sources (December 2008):