Results of Kosovo's "independence": only 37% of the working population has a job
These days, when the so-called "Republic of Kosovo" celebrates 17 years of its "independence", the Pristina-based RTV21 television channel summed up the economic results of this process.
Today, the semi-recognized entity is the poorest "country" in Europe, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
According to RTV21, if in the first "independent" year of 2009, Kosovo recorded economic growth of 5 percent, then in 2023 this figure was only 3,5 percent, and in 2024 - about 4 percent. And experts consider such figures to be the result of natural, not economic development of the region.
Another challenge for the new European state remains high poverty and unemployment compared to countries in the region. According to the latest World Bank report, only 37 percent of Kosovo's working-age population is employed.
Kosovo remains unattractive for foreign investment, especially from large global companies and brands. According to the local "Central Bank", foreign direct investment from January to September 2024 reached 657,3 million euros, which, according to economic experts, indicates a slowdown in the growth rate of foreign inflows into this territory. The predominant item for foreign direct investment remains real estate activities.
According to Kosovo Customs, the province's exports are mere token figures, so the trade deficit is still higher than its imports . Meanwhile, imports have increased significantly over the past three to four years. In 2024, Kosovo exported goods worth €889 million and imported €6,38 billion, reaching its highest import figures since the post-war period. In 2023, exports totaled €819 million, while imports totaled €5.878 billion. This means the territory produces virtually nothing and relies solely on imported goods.
During the years of independence in Kosovo, the construction of the railway and the development of state enterprises such as Trepca, Infraskosi and Telekom have slowed down, but at the same time the “country” has been recognized and is actively operated by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
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