Kosovo is facing a high level of emigration due to the lack of a stable socio-economic perspective and ongoing political instability. According to official data, from 2020 to 2024, more than 151,700 citizens have left the country for more developed states in search of a better life, KosovaPress reports.

In 2024 alone, over 37,451 people left Kosovo, while only 9,038 returned. Over the past five years, the total number of returnees amounts to just 41,217.

According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, 2021 marked the highest level of emigration in the past five years, with a total of 42,728 departures.

The shrinking population is considered alarming, not only because of its demographic impact but also due to its economic consequences—affecting consumer behavior and damaging Kosovo’s image among foreign investors.

Sociologist Genc Xërxa explains some of the reasons why people are compelled to leave their homeland.

In a statement to ​KosovaPress, Xërxa emphasizes that low per capita income, high unemployment, declining quality of education, and stagnation in the healthcare sector are among the key factors pushing young people to emigrate in search of a better life.

"First of all, due to the lack of a socio-economic perspective or a better life—knowing that we have high unemployment… Most neighboring countries have doubled their GDP, whereas we are stagnating and experiencing inflation, offering no promising socio-economic outlook. Wages here are lower compared to other countries. We also lack essential health insurance systems that would improve quality of life. Youth do not receive a proper education in Kosovo, and this adds to a cluster of factors pushing them to leave. What’s worse is that in some cases, it's qualified professionals leaving—resulting in a brain drain. On top of that, there is the ongoing political instability and the constant sense of threat from Serbia," he said.

Several citizens also note that the slow pace of economic development and political instability have influenced many to leave.

Qazim Imeri, a citizen from Prishtina, says that young people are unable to find stable employment in Kosovo.

He adds that “Kosovo has a weak economy,” and for that reason, he understands why the youth are leaving.

"I believe, above all, it’s the economic situation and the lack of job opportunities. Young people think about their future—if the economy is weak, then of course they have every right to leave in search of a better place to live and build a better life. Political instability also inevitably plays a role—just look at the current situation. That creates great dissatisfaction. The youth are disappointed and have every right to seek a better future elsewhere," Imeri said.

Hajrush Fazliu, another citizen, expressed disappointment with Kosovo’s education sector. According to him, every government has "experimented" with the system, resulting in a lack of quality education for young people who could otherwise contribute to Kosovo, instead of EU countries.

"Coming from the education sector, I can say it’s had problems since liberation. Every government starts from scratch, and even the current one has experimented with programs and curricula, which has made things more difficult for both teachers and students. If we made schooling more appealing and supportive, our youth wouldn’t need to leave the country. Kosovo is a beautiful and beloved country, and we owe it to Kosovo to give back a strong and healthy youth. We simply don’t have the luxury of letting Kosovo become empty," Fazliu said.

Meanwhile, another citizen, Islam Emini, expressed sorrow for his children who live abroad. He explains the reasons why they remain in an EU country.

"Youth today lack job opportunities, education, healthcare, and decent incomes… I have two sons abroad, in Austria. They went there as students, settled down, and now live there… Their hearts are always here though. But life isn’t that great over there either—they constantly miss their homeland, their family, their father and mother, and their relatives," Emini shared.

According to a study by the GAP Institute, Germany is the main destination for emigrants, and poor economic conditions are among the primary reasons citizens are compelled to emigrate.