Kosovo
Republic of Kosovo
Population
1.98M
Area
10,887 km²
GDP
$11.15B
GDP Per Capita
$16,400
Pop. Density
182/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
€euro(EUR)
Calling Code
+383
Timezone
UTC+01:00
Languages
Albanian, Serbian
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Kosovar
Background
The Ottoman Empire took control of Kosovo in 1389 after defeating Serbian forces. Large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to the region, and by the end of the 19th century, Albanians had replaced Serbs as the majority ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control of Kosovo during the First Balkan War of 1912, and after World War II, Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). Increasing Albanian nationalism in the 1980s led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence, but in 1989, Belgrade -- which has in turn served as the capital of Serbia and Yugoslavia -- revoked Kosovo's autonomous status. When the SFRY broke up in 1991, Kosovo Albanian leaders organized an independence referendum, and Belgrade's repressive response led to an insurgency. Kosovo remained part of Serbia, which joined with Montenegro to declare a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in 1992.
In 1998, Belgrade launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign, with some 800,000 ethnic Albanians expelled from their homes in Kosovo. After international mediation failed, a NATO military operation began in March 1999 and forced Belgrade to withdraw its forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under the temporary control of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Negotiations in 2006-07 ended without agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, though the UN issued a comprehensive report that endorsed independence. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent.
Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence, but the two countries began EU-facilitated discussions in 2013 to normalize relations, which resulted in several agreements. Additional agreements were reached in 2015 and 2023, but implementation remains incomplete. In 2022, Kosovo formally applied for membership in the EU, which is contingent on fulfillment of accession criteria, and the Council of Europe. Kosovo is also seeking UN and NATO memberships.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑116.1% since 2008Population
↓12.1% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 78.0 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography17
Location
Southeastern Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia
Geographic coordinates
42 35 N, 21 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
land: 10,887 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Delaware
Land boundaries
border countries: Albania 112 km; North Macedonia 160 km; Montenegro 76 km; Serbia 366 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December
Terrain
flat fluvial basin at an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m
Elevation
lowest point: Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim (located on the border with Albania) 297 m
mean elevation: 450 m
Natural resources
nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
NA
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Population distribution
population clusters exist throughout the country, with the largest in the east in and around the capital of Pristina
Geography - note
the 41-km (25-mi) Nerodimka River divides into two branches, each of which flows into a different sea: the northern branch flows into the Sitnica River, which via the Ibar, Morava, and Danube Rivers ultimately flows into the Black Sea; the southern branch flows via the Lepenac and Vardar Rivers into the Aegean Sea
People & Society21
Population
male: 1,017,992
female: 959,101
Nationality
adjective: Kosovan
Ethnic groups
Albanians 92.9%, Bosniaks 1.6%, Serbs 1.5%, Turk 1.1%, Ashkali 0.9%, Egyptian 0.7%, Gorani 0.6%, Romani 0.5%, other/unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)
Languages
major-language sample(s): Libri i fakteve boterore, burimi i pazevendesueshem per informacione elementare (Albanian)
Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 95.6%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Orthodox 1.5%, other 0.1%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 68.9% (male 712,403/female 649,932)
65 years and over: 8.4% (2024 est.) (male 72,579/female 92,865)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 33 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 12.1 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 8.2 (2024 est.)
Median age
male: 31.7 years
female: 32.4 years
Population growth rate
0.73% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
14.16 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population clusters exist throughout the country, with the largest in the east in and around the capital of Pristina
Major urban areas - population
218,782 PRISTINA (capital) (2020)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 24.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 71 years
female: 75.5 years
Total fertility rate
1.85 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.89 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
61.6% (2020 est.)
Government24
Country name
conventional short form: Kosovo
local long form: Republika e Kosoves (Albanian)/ Republika Kosovo (Serbian)
local short form: Kosove (Albanian)/ Kosovo (Serbian)
etymology: name may derive from the Serbian word kos, meaning "blackbird," or from a personal name
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
geographic coordinates: 42 40 N, 21 10 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the town takes its name from the river; the origin of the river's name is unclear but could come from a pre-Slavic language
Administrative divisions
Legal system
civil law system
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by the government, by the president of the republic, or by one fourth of Assembly deputies; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, including two-thirds majority vote of deputies representing non-majority communities, followed by a favorable Constitutional Court assessment
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kosovo
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
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
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislature name
legislative structure
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Kosovo Judicial Council, a 13-member independent body staffed by judges and lay members, and also responsible for overall administration of Kosovo's judicial system; judges appointed by the president of the Republic of Kosovo; judges appointed until mandatory retirement age; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the Kosovo Assembly and appointed by the president of the republic to serve single, 9-year terms
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals (organized into 4 departments: General, Serious Crime, Commercial Matters, and Administrative Matters); Basic Court (located in 7 municipalities, each with several branches)
Political parties
Ashkali Party for Integration or PAI
Civic Initiative for Freedom, Justice, and Survival
Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK
Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK
New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK
New Democratic Party or NDS
Progressive Movement of Kosovar Roma or LPRK
Romani Initiative
Self-Determination Movement (Lëvizja Vetevendosje or Vetevendosie) or LVV or VV
Serb List or SL
Social Democratic Union or SDU
Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo or KDTP
Unique Gorani Party or JGP
Vakat Coalition or VAKAT
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
International organization participation
FIFA, IBRD, IDA, IFC, IMF, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF (observer)
Independence
17 February 2008 (from Serbia)
National holiday
Independence Day, 17 February (2008)
Flag
meaning: each star represents one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and Bosniaks
National symbol(s)
six five-pointed white stars
National color(s)
blue, gold, white
National coat of arms
uses the national colors of blue, gold, and white, and is featured on the country’s flag; the golden map symbolizes a rich and peaceful Kosovo, with a blue background that represents the country’s aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration; the six white stars stand for the major ethnic groups in Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks, Roma (including Ashkali and Egyptians), and Gorani
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI
history: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose not to include lyrics in its anthem to avoid offending the country's minority ethnic groups
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Medieval Monuments in Kosovo
Economy28
Economic overview
small-but-growing European economy; non-EU member but unilateral euro user; very high unemployment, especially youth; vulnerable reliance on diaspora tourism services, curtailed by COVID-19 disruptions; unclear public loan portfolio health
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $23.962 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $23.025 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 4.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $14,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $13,000 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$11.149 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 4.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 11.6% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 26.2% (2024 est.)
services: 45.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
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
4% (2024 est.)
Labor force
500,300 (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line
17.6% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 32.9% (2021 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022: 17.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 18% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $2.547 billion (2020 est.)
Public debt
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022: -$983.283 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: -$818.351 million (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022: $3.579 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $3.138 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
United States 16%, Albania 15%, North Macedonia 12%, Germany 8%, Italy 8% (2021)
Exports - commodities
mattress materials, iron alloys, metal piping, scrap iron, building plastics (2021)
Imports
Imports 2022: $6.661 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $6.128 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 13%, Turkey 13%, China 10%, Serbia 7%, Italy 6% (2021)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, iron rods, electricity, cigars, packaged medicines (2021)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $1.245 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $1.248 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy5
Electricity
consumption: 6.571 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 2.442 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 3.449 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 789.167 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 6.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 6.931 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 13,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 20,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1.564 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
Energy consumption per capita
Communications4
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2022 est.)
Internet country code
.xk
Internet users
Transportation4
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Z6
Airports
2 (2025)
Heliports
11 (2025)
Railways
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Kosovo Security Force (KSF; Forca e Sigurisë së Kosovës or FSK): Land Force, National Guard (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 3,300 Kosovo Security Forces, including about 800 reserves (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the KSF is equipped with small arms and light vehicles and has relied on limited amounts of donated equipment from several countries, particularly Türkiye and the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
(2025)
Military - note
in 2019, Kosovo approved legislation that began a process to transition the KSF by 2028 into a professional military (the Kosovo Armed Forces) led by a General Staff and comprised of a Land Force, a National Guard, a Logistics Command, and a Doctrine and Training Command; it would have a strength of up to 5,000 with about 3,000 reserves; at the same time, the KSF’s mission was expanded to include traditional military functions, such as territorial defense and international peacekeeping; the KSF’s first international mission was the deployment of a small force to Kuwait in 2021
the NATO-led KFOR has operated in the country as a peace support force since 1999; in addition to assisting in the development of the KSF, KFOR is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment and ensuring freedom of movement for all citizens; as of 2025, it had approximately 4,700 troops from more than 30 countries (2025)