Kosovo — CIA World Factbook

EuropeCapital: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina)Pop: 1,977,093 (2024 est.)

Introduction

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.

Geography

Location

Southeastern Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia

Geographic coordinates

42 35 N, 21 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total

10,887 sq km

land

10,887 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Delaware

Land boundaries

total

714 km

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

highest point

Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m

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

52.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 27.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.)

forest

41.7% (2018 est.)

other

5.5% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage

(Black Sea) Danube (795,656 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 and Society

Population

total

1,977,093 (2024 est.)

male

1,017,992

female

959,101

Nationality

noun

Kosovan

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

Albanian (official) 94.5%, Bosnian 1.7%, Serbian (official) 1.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 0.9% (includes Romani), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

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

0-14 years

22.7% (male 233,010/female 216,304)

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

total dependency ratio

45.1 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

33 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

12.1 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

8.2 (2024 est.)

Median age

total

32.3 years (2025 est.)

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

at birth

1.08 male(s)/female

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

total

21 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

24.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female

21.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

73.1 years (2024 est.)

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.)

Environment

Environmental issues

air pollution from power plants and lignite mines; water scarcity and pollution; land degradation

Climate

Land use

agricultural land

52.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 27.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.)

forest

41.7% (2018 est.)

other

5.5% (2018 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

7.444 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

5.005 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

2.439 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

319,000 tons (2024 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Kosovo

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

name

Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina)

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

38 municipalities (komunat, singular - komuna (Albanian); opstine, singular - opstina (Serbian)); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc (Glogovac), Gracanice (Gracanica), Hani i Elezit (Deneral Jankovic), Istog (Istok), Junik, Kacanik, Kamenice (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Kllokot (Klokot), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mamushe (Mamusa), Mitrovice e Jugut (Juzna Mitrovica) [South Mitrovica], Mitrovice e Veriut (Severna Mitrovica) [North Mitrovica], Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Partesh (Partes), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Ranillug (Ranilug), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan

Legal system

civil law system

Constitution

history

previous 1974, 1990; latest (post-independence) draft finalized 2 April 2008, signed 7 April 2008, ratified 9 April 2008, entered into force 15 June 2008

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 birth

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

President Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (since 4 April 2021)

head of government

Acting Prime Minister Albin KURTI (since 15 April 2025)

cabinet

Cabinet elected by the Assembly

election/appointment process

president indirectly elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; if a candidate does not reach this threshold in the first two ballots, the candidate winning a simple majority vote in the third ballot is elected; prime minister indirectly elected by the Assembly

most recent election date

3-4 April 2021

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

2026

Legislative branch

legislature name

Assembly (Kuvendi i Kosoves/Skupstina Kosova)

legislative structure

unicameral

number of seats

120 (all directly elected)

electoral system

proportional representation

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

most recent election date

2/14/2021

parties elected and seats per party

Self-Determination Movement (LVV) (58), Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) (19), Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) (15), Serb List (10), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) (8), other (10)

percentage of women in chamber

34%

expected date of next election

2025

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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)

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

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK
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

Ambassador Ilir DUGOLLI (since 13 January 2022)

chancery

3612 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

telephone

[1] (202) 450-2130

FAX

[1] (202) 735-0609

email address and website

embassy.usa@rks-gov.net

U.S. Embassies of the Republic of Kosovo (ambasadat.net)

consulate(s) general

New York

consulate(s)

Des Moines (IA)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Anu PRATTIPATI (since January 2025)

embassy

Arberia/Dragodan, Rr. 4 KORRIKU Nr. 25, Pristina

mailing address

9520 Pristina Place, Washington DC 20521-9520

telephone

[383] 38-59-59-3000

FAX

[383] 38-604-890

email address and website

PristinaACS@state.gov

https://xk.usembassy.gov/

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

description: a dark blue field with a gold-colored silhouette of Kosovo in the center, with six five-pointed white stars in a slight arc over it

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)

title

"Europe"

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

total World Heritage Sites

1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

Medieval Monuments in Kosovo

Economy

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) 2024

$25.019 billion (2024 est.)

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 2024

4.4% (2024 est.)

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 2024

$16,400 (2024 est.)

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) 2024

1.6% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

4.9% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

11.6% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

6.9% (2024 est.)

industry

26.2% (2024 est.)

services

45.7% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

84.3% (2024 est.)

government consumption

12.3% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

33.8% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

41.9% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-72.3% (2024 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

4% (2024 est.)

Labor force

500,300 (2017 est.)

Population below poverty line

17.6% (2015 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

49.4 (2021 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

0.4% (2021 est.)

highest 10%

32.9% (2021 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2023

17.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

17.2% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

18% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget

revenues

$1.951 billion (2020 est.)

expenditures

$2.547 billion (2020 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

19.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2023

-$785.09 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$983.283 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2021

-$818.351 million (2021 est.)

Exports

Exports 2023

$4.156 billion (2023 est.)

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 2023

$7.362 billion (2023 est.)

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 2024

$1.31 billion (2024 est.)

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

Debt - external 2023

$785.739 million (2023 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.951 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.877 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity

installed generating capacity

1.555 million kW (2023 est.)

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

fossil fuels

87.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

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

production

6.924 million metric tons (2023 est.)

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

refined petroleum consumption

16,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

52.085 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

383,763 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

7 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

593,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

35 (2022 est.)

Internet country code

.xk

Internet users

percent of population

89% (2018 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

2 (2025)

Heliports

11 (2025)

Railways

total

437 km (2020)

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Kosovo Security Force (KSF; Forca e Sigurisë së Kosovës or FSK): Land Force, National Guard (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024

1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

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

any citizen of Kosovo over the age of 18 is eligible to serve in the Kosovo Security Force; upper age for enlisting is 30 for officers, 25 for other ranks, although these may be waived for recruits with key skills considered essential for the KSF
(2025)

Military - note

the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) was established in 2009 as a small (1,500 personnel), lightly armed disaster response force; the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) was charged with assisting in the development of the KSF and bringing it up to standards designated by NATO; the KSF was certified as fully operational by the North Atlantic Council in 2013, indicating the then 2,200-strong KSF was entirely capable of performing the tasks assigned under its mandate, which included non-military security functions that were not appropriate for the police, plus missions such as search and rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, control and clearance of hazardous materials, firefighting, and other humanitarian assistance tasks

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)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

15,582 (2024 est.)