Nighttime lights represent the result of satellite observation of the artificial lighting of human activities on the Earth from space during the night, which provides the excellent opportunity to determine their position, pattern, density, and spatial distribution. Such data have a high detail spatial and temporal resolution, which opens a wide range of possibilities for quantitative and qualitative analysis. In this paper, nighttime lights are used as a highly accurate dataset for indirect tracking of changes in temporal and spatial patterns of population distribution and activity in Serbia. Two indicators were applied-Lighted area and Sum of lights. They are calculated for local government units in Serbia, for 2015 and period 2015-2019. The results of the conducted analysis follow the conclusions of the existing knowledge on population distribution based on the official statistical data. Areas with a high share of lighted areas are dominantly urban and the most populated, while traditionally depopulated areas are with a low share of lighted areas. Sum of lights highlighted the distinction between developed and populated north and depressive and depopulated south of Serbia. General conclusion is that ?dark has fallen in Serbia?, not only in peripheral and rural parts of the country, but in the smaller urban centers as well, and it is steadily spreading toward bigger urban areas. With nighttime lights application, this kind of process in terms of spatial disparities, its scope and dynamics can be easily identified, analyzed, and monitored.

Rural areas have been usually observed through agriculture; however, today, it is broadened with various activities. In Serbia, it has been characterized by unbalanced development, which has led to a declining vitality and depopulation. The main goal of this research is detection of seasonally activated rural areas in Serbia, expressed through the population fluctuation, temporary settlement, or occasional use of residential and economic facilities, and identification of spatial patterns of seasonal use. This research applied an innovative proxy—nighttime lights (NTL)—as a complementary tool to statistical analyses, which are conducted in the GIS environment. The calculation encompassed two seasonality coefficients: one based on the NTL and the second based on statistical data on tourist turnover. The spatial frame applies settlement level and micro level (pixels), while temporal includes monthly values for the period 2015–2019. The obtained results highlight tourist activity as the main cause of seasonal activation of rural areas. The largest seasonal fluctuations were registered in mountain areas and spa resorts. For mountain areas, the highest seasonality is in the winter months (peak—January/February), and lowest is in the summer season. The seasonal character of spa centers indicates the similar trend, generally less pronounced (peak—January), however, with higher seasonality during the summer.

Labor force contingent is a very complex and dynamic phenomenon, sensitive to demographic and socio-economic changes. In many countries, the labor force is shrinking and it has undergone a major transformation, which is expected to continue in the future. Serbia is affected by the same problem. This paper focuses on the demographic aspects of labor force formation in Serbia. The aim is to estimate the components – working age population, cohort turnover, net migration and their interrelation - in order to identify and quantify fluctuations in the labor force. Seeking to identify regional disparities and areas with a “weak” or “strong” labor force potential, this study highlights the importance of the spatial dimension. It was conducted at the municipality level and a typology of five different types of municipality is established. A decline in the labor force is observed in most municipalities in Serbia. The municipalities with a significant economic downturn in the past decades experienced intensive emigration, which is reflected in the weakening of the labor force. At the same time, other municipalities failed to achieve labor force increase despite a good demographic potential, due to intensive emigration of young people. Positive changes were identified only in eight municipalities in Serbia, due to a favorable fertility rate, age structure and, to a lesser extent, immigration.

Decentralization is a globally accepted concept of separation, the diversity of structures within the political system, the transfer of resources, activities, and powers in the decision-making process, and the division of tasks from the central government to lower authorities. It is implemented in both developed and developing countries, with different aims and consequences. In Serbia, the urban-centric development model and centralized governance caused rural settlements to become non-viable, and services and opportunities were deprived. This research has been undertaken in order to provide a deeper understanding of the territorial aspect of decentralization in Serbia and how it affects rural areas. It strives to offer a methodological framework for the identification of central settlements in rural areas of Serbia that will serve as a focal point for settlements networking in order to facilitate the spatial integration of rural areas and governance at the local level. This research encompasses (i) the identification of rural nodes as bearers of balanced governance and spatial development; (ii) the delimitation of their gravity sphere; and (iii) the determination of the relationship between settlement organization models and decentralization in Serbia. The research results indicate that identified rural nodes can be valuable to developing a holistic understanding of rural issues, supporting a bottom-up approach and regional disparities mitigation.

The hydropower potential in the Republic of Serbia, as the most important renewable energy source, has been estimated at around 17000 GW·h per year, where approximately 2000 GW·h could be obtained from small hydropower plants (SHP)....

Human capital is an important determinant of individual and overall socio-economic development. In addition to economic parameters, human capital is significantly influenced by the level of formal and informal education attained. Previous research in this area has focused on formal education and the skills acquired concerning better positioning in the labor market. Accordingly, the main objective of the conducted research is to determine the state and level of educational attainment as prerequisite for the developm ent of human capital in Serbia. This analysis is based on a set of indicators that represent the achieved educational attainment with special focus on the young population. It is conducted for the territory of Serbia, on municipal level, which enabled the categorization of municipalities according to educational attainment. Most municipalities in Serbia are characterized by insufficient educational attainment in the local context, or in general. For the purpose of the regional disparities identification, the coefficient of human capital utilization was created, in order to identify the mismatch between education attainment and labor market demand. The research shows that it is crucial to change the general perception of demographic problems and challenges, which will allow the development of applicable and more realistic public policies in the future.