The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights presents the sixth annual Youth Human Rights Report in the Republic of Serbia, continuing the tradition of systematic monitoring that began in 2019. The report analyses twelve key rights and several thematic areas \u2013 from education, work, and health to housing, youth participation, and the position of vulnerable groups \u2013 aiming to offer a clear, evidence-based, and accessible overview of the human rights situation of young people in Serbia in 2024.<\/p>\n
The findings of 2024 report reveal both the critical challenges that threaten the rights of young people and the<\/strong> powerful examples of their resilience and civic engagement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n An awakening generation<\/strong> The right to adequate housing \u2013 out of reach<\/strong>
The past year has seen the awakening of student movements and growing civic participation among youth. The tragic collapse of the roof at Novi Sad Railway Station on 1 November 2024, which claimed 16 lives\u2014including nine children and young people\u2014became a turning point for mass protests and university blockades across Serbia. Following the first major protest on 5 November, masked individuals detained activists in Novi Sad without identifying themselves as officials. In response, students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts launched a blockade of their faculty after attacks on students and professors during a peaceful protest, demanding accountability and justice. Their courage inspired students at other faculties to follow suit. These events marked a shift from the perception of youth apathy to visible, collective action in defense of justice, solidarity, and democratic values.<\/p>\n
For many young people, leaving their family home remains an unattainable goal. Over 60% of youth (aged 15\u201329) live in overcrowded housing conditions, while the average age of leaving home in Serbia is 30.2 years, compared to 26.2 years in the EU. Government initiatives such as \u201caffordable housing loans\u201d for first-time buyers have often been criticized for serving financial interests rather than addressing the structural causes of housing insecurity, and for being designed without meaningful consultation with young people. This disconnect between policy and reality further deepens social inequality and delays youth independence.<\/p>\n