Active youth for sustainable development

31.05.2022 Instituti D4D

Kosovo remains one of the countries with the youngest population in Europe. The average age of the population is 30.2 years old, with young people under the age of 25 making up about 47.3% of the population. Labor market conditions in Kosovo remain difficult, especially for young people. During the period 2017-2020, the employment rate remained below 30%. Kosovo remains one of the countries with the highest unemployment rate in the region, with a 25% unemployment rate. Unemployment among young people is extremely high, with about half of young people having no chance of finding a job after finishing school. Usually, the main factors pushing young people to migrate is the lack of employment opportunities. Kosovo is sharing the same fate with the countries in the region in terms of intensified migration of young and educated people.

This brief analysis aims to do public opinion poll of citizens regarding their socio-economic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, their willingness to migrate abroad in case they would have a job offer, on the factors that affect the low unemployment rate among young people in Kosovo, as well as where they see the potential for country’s economic development. The public opinion poll was conducted through a representative sample at the national level, which included 1,065 people surveyed from 5 through 18 March 2022. Statistical data related to employment, training, internships and the possibility of migration of young people abroad were also analyzed. The data show that during 2020 the situation has deteriorated in terms of youth employment compared to the previous year. Finally, some opportunities were offered for young people to more easily access the labor market, especially by taking advantage of the active labor market measures implemented by state agencies.