One time when we were on an airport in a foreign country, all we could hear was Serbian language. That inspired us to look into the information of where do expats from Serbia usually end up in. In this blog post, we are going to talk about some of the countries and cities that count the highest number of Serbian expats.
Germany
Serbian people love Germany. Have you ever really known a Serb if he didn’t have some tetka iz Nemačke or something?! They estimate more than 305.000 Serbian expats living in Germany.
Why? – The Guest Worker Programs (Gastarbeiter). In the 60s and 70s, West Germany signed agreements with the former Yugoslavia to bring in workers for its booming post-war economy. Many Serbian people came for work, but ended up staying permanently.
Serbian expats count: ~ 305.000
Austria
Austria, being close to Serbia, counts more than 500.000 Serbian expats, especially in Vienna that even has Serbian newspaper, stores and bakeries. Parts of Serbia today were once under Austro-Hungarian rule, which created cultural and migratory connections. Also, many Serbs learn German as a second language in school.
Serbian expats count: ~ 500.000
Canada
After the World Wars and during the Yugoslav wars, Canada accepted many Serbian immigrants. Canada offers safety, good education, healthcare, and stable work, which attracts Serbian expats who count more than 94.000 all over Canada, especially in Toronto, Vancouver, Hamilton, etc. There are Serbian churches and organizations that are active and widespread in Canada, making strong diaspora ties.
Serbian expats count: ~ 94.000
The United States of America
We’ve all heard of the American Dream. Serbs were influenced by this cultural phenomenon pretty hard, making them immigrate to the US in the early 20th century. However, the political conflicts of the 90s brought a new wave of Serbian expats to the United States. Chicago is known as the Serbian capital of America, with hundreds of thousands of Serbs and Serbian Orthodox churches.
Serbian expats count: ~ 182.000
Australia
Australia accepted many Serbian migrants after World War II to help build its economy and infrastructure. It offered amazing work and education opportunities that attracted Serbian expats and made them stay for generations to come. Australia, especially cities like Sydney and Melbourne, has a tight-knit diaspora that includes Serbian cultural clubs, churches, and festivals.
Serbian expats count: ~ 95.000
Explore Serbian Culture Beyond Borders — Start Learning Today
From Vienna to Vancouver, Serbian expats have built strong communities that carry the language, customs, and spirit of home wherever they go. Whether it’s through sharing homemade ajvar, dancing kolo at festivals, or just hearing “brate” in a foreign supermarket, Serbian culture is alive and well around the world.
If you want to learn Serbian, we have a lot of materials you can use, and if you want to dip your toes in the water first, there is always our blog that covers all things Serbian! Contact us for more information about the lessons we offer – start today!
