Historical Overview of Military Personnel in Serbia (1990-2016)

Serbia witnessed a sharp decline in military personnel, from 180,000 in 1990 to just 28,000 by 2016. This dramatic reduction reflects the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the subsequent conflicts in the Balkans, which led to significant restructuring of Serbia’s armed forces. The most notable declines occurred between 1992 and 1993 and again post-2000, as the country transitioned to peacetime operations and sought to align with European standards.

By 2007, personnel numbers dropped drastically to 40,000, stabilizing at 28,000 from 2013 onwards. These changes signify Serbia’s shift toward a professionalized military force, prioritizing efficiency and regional stability over maintaining a large conscription-based army.