Kosovo Country Profile

Population

Total: 1,977,093

Male: 1,017,992

Female: 959,101 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups

Albanians 92.9%

Bosniaks 1.6%

Serbs 1.5%

Turk 1.1%

Languages

Albanian (official) 94.5%

Serbian (official) 3.6%,

Religions:

Muslim 95.6%

Roman Catholic 2.2%

Orthodox 1.5%

Population distribution

Population clusters exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of Pristina [1]

Economic Context

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$23.794 billion (2023 est.)

$23.025 billion (2022 est.)

$22.08 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

3.34% (2023 est.)

4.28% (2022 est.)

10.75% (2021 est.)

Agricultural products: wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit; dairy, livestock; fish Industries: mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, textiles

Industrial production growth rate: 1.56% (2023 est.)

Labor force: 500,300

Unemployment rate: 30.5% (2017 est.), 27.5% (2016 est.) [1]

Kosovo is a parliamentary republic. It declared independence on February 17, 2008, and is recognized as an independent country by more than 100 United Nations members.

Kosovo, a potential candidate for European Union (EU) membership, signed a Stabilization Association Agreement with the EU that has been in force since April 2016. The last parliamentary elections were held on February 14, 2021, and the current government was elected on March 22, 2021.

Kosovo has experienced steady economic progress since declaring independence, with a nearly 50% increase in per-capita income and a 35% reduction in the poverty rate.

The country has successfully transitioned away from a growth model based on high dependence on foreign aid inflows, outperforming peer countries of similar per-capita income thanks to a steady expansion in consumption and investment, with a strong impetus from diaspora inflows, public investment in infrastructure, and financial deepening, amid a stable fiscal stance and an environment of low inflation.

Although largely inclusive, Kosovo’s growth has not been sufficient to provide enough formal jobs, particularly for women and youth.

To continue to grow, Kosovo needs to unleash productivity gains and create more quality jobs. This will require addressing infrastructure bottlenecks, prioritizing human capital investment, and creating an environment more conducive to private sector development.

Further actions are also needed to promote environmental sustainability, including the fulfillment of the EU’s environmental acquis. [2]

Political Context

Government type: Parliamentary Republic

Capital: Pristina

Administrative divisions: 38 municipalities

Executive Branch

Chief of State: President Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (since 4 April 2021)

Head of government: Prime Minister Albin KURTI (since 22 March 2021)

Cabinet: Cabinet elected by the National Assembly

Elections/appointments: President indirectly elected by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly for a 5-year term; if a candidate does not attain a two-thirds threshold in the first two ballots, the candidate winning a simple majority vote in the third ballot is elected (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 to 4 April 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister indirectly elected by the Assem

Election results:

2021: Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu elected president in third ballot; Assembly vote - Vjosa

OSMANI-Sadriu (Guxo!) 71 votes; Albin KURTI (LVV) elected prime minister; Assembly vote

- 67 for, 30 against

2017: Ramush HARADINAJ (AAK) elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 61 for, 1 abstention, 0 against (opposition boycott)

2016: Hashim THACI elected president in third ballot; Assembly vote - Hashim THACI

(PDK) 71 votes

Legislative Branch

Description: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi i Kosoves/Skupstina Kosova (120 seats; 100 members directly elected by open-list proportional representation vote with 20 seats reserved for ethnic minorities - 10 for Serbs and 10 for other ethnic minorities; members serve 4-year terms)

Elections: last held on 14 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025)

Election results: percent of vote by party LVV 50%,

PDK 16.9%

LDK 12.7%,

AAK 7.1%

Serb List 5.1%

other 8.2%;

Seats by party/coalition:

LVV 58

PDK 19

LDK 15

Serb List 10

AAK 8

other 10

composition - men 79, women 41, percentage women 34.2%

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 18 judges and organized into Appeals Panel of the Kosovo Property Agency and Special Chamber); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 7 judges) [1]

International Political Context

Kosovo's international political context is shaped by its complex status as a partially recognized state, its tense relationship with Serbia, and its aspirations for deeper integration with the European Union (EU) and NATO.

1.     Recognition and Diplomatic Status: Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which has been recognized by more than 100 countries, including the

U.S. and most EU nations. However, Serbia, Russia, and several other countries, including five EU member states (Spain, Slovakia, Romania, Greece, and Cyprus), have not recognized Kosovo. This has complicated Kosovo's efforts to gain full international recognition and join international organizations such as the United Nations.

2.     EU Accession and Dialogue with Serbia: Kosovo is engaged in EU-facilitated talks with Serbia to normalize relations, a key condition for both countries to advance their EU membership aspirations.

The Brussels Agreement (2013) and the subsequent Ohrid Agreement (2023) outline steps toward normalization, but implementation remains slow, particularly on issues such as the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM), which would grant autonomy to Serb-majority areas in Kosovo.

3.     NATO and Security: Kosovo's security relies heavily on the NATO-led KFOR mission, which has been present since 1999 to ensure peace and stability in the region. Kosovo has also sought closer ties with NATO, and while it is not yet a member, Kosovo's security institutions are aligned with NATO standards. Serbia opposes Kosovo's aspirations for NATO membership, fearing it would solidify Kosovo's separation.

4.     U.S. and Western Involvement: The United States has been one of Kosovo's strongest allies, supporting its independence and playing a crucial role in mediation between Kosovo and Serbia. The U.S. continues to be a key player in pushing for normalization of relations and supporting Kosovo's integration into international bodies. Western powers generally see Kosovo's independence as vital to Balkan stability.

5.     Russia and China’s Role: Russia and China, both of which support Serbia's stance on Kosovo, have blocked Kosovo's attempts to join the UN and other international organizations. Russia uses its veto power in the UN Security Council to prevent Kosovo's membership, and both Russia and China have voiced concerns about Western influence in the Balkans.

Russia, in particular, sees the Kosovo issue as a precedent for its own territorial disputes (such as in Ukraine and Georgia), making it a geopolitical flashpoint.

6.     Kosovo’s Integration into International Institutions: Kosovo has made progress in joining several international institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It has signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, a step toward eventual membership. However, its path is slowed by its unresolved status with Serbia and the lack of full recognition by all EU members.

7.     Current Challenges: Recent tensions have flared up in northern Kosovo, where the Serb minority population remains loyal to Serbia. Elections in these areas have been marred by violence, and Kosovo’s government has faced difficulties in extending its authority in Serb-majority regions. The EU and U.S. have been actively involved in trying to de-escalate these tensions.

In summary, Kosovo's international political status is marked by ongoing challenges in achieving full recognition, navigating delicate negotiations with Serbia, and striving for integration into Euro-Atlantic structures amidst opposition from key global powers like Russia and China. Its relationship with the EU and U.S. remains pivotal to its future development and international standing.