Serbian Orthodox Monastic Community

Serbian Orthodox Monastic Community

Kosovo Serbs (Serbian: Косовски Срби) are the second largest ethnic group in Kosovo. By the 12th century, the cultural, diplomatic and religious core of the Serbian Kingdom was located in Kosovo. This became essential to the Serbian Empire of the 14th century.

During the 20th century, the Serb population of Kosovo constantly decreased. Their share in the overall population of the region is estimated at 7% by the CIA. Serbs mostly populate the enclaves across Kosovo, North Kosovo being the largest one. The large-scale emigration of ethnic Serbs, especially since 1999 onwards, makes them the only major ethnic group in Kosovo to have a negative natural growth rate with deaths exceeding births. BBC reports that fewer than 100,000, 5% Serbs remained in Kosovo following a post-war exodus of non-Albanians. The Serbian minority live in separate areas watched over by NATO peacekeepers. International diplomats have voiced concern over slow progress on their rights. Human Rights Watch pointed out discrimination against Serbs and Roma in Kosovo immediately after the War in Kosovo.