Kosovo’s youth face a complex intersection of mental health challenges and employment instability. With one of the highest NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) rates in Europe, reaching 31.4% among youth aged 15–24, and alarming levels of reported anxiety and depression, the urgency for coordinated intervention is clear. This policy paper explores how mental health and economic precarity reinforce one another and outlines actionable pathways to improve the well-being and employability of young people.

Drawing on original survey data from 400 youth across Kosovo, the findings reveal that financial insecurity, academic pressure, and job market uncertainty are the primary stressors for young people. Although many experience frequent mental health symptoms, few trust institutions or seek formal support. Notably, only 2.3% of respondents cited mental health challenges as a direct barrier to employment, underscoring the perceived dominance of structural obstacles like lack of opportunity, skills mismatch, and nepotism.

Policy recommendations are grounded in the voices of youth and align with international best practices. They prioritize integrating mental health support across employment and education programs, expanding school-based counseling, launching inclusive outreach for NEET youth, and embedding mental health indicators into national development strategies. Youth also called for specific actions such as free or low-cost mental health services, paid internships with mental health components, and flexible work-study options.

Ultimately, improving youth mental health and employment outcomes will require cross-sectoral coordination, investments in public trust, and tailored support for vulnerable groups including women, rural youth, Roma, LGBTI, and persons with disabilities. This paper offers practical and scalable recommendations that, if implemented, can help Kosovo build a generation that is healthier, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.