2015 Edition

Background

The central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. After World War II, Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.). Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. The Serbs - many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland - instituted a new constitution in 1989 revoking Kosovo's autonomous status. Kosovo's Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum declaring Kosovo independent. Serbia undertook repressive measures against the Kosovar Albanians in the 1990s, provoking an Albanian insurgency.

Beginning in 1998, Serbia conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians (some 800,000 ethnic Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo). After international attempts to mediate the conflict failed, a three-month NATO military operation against Serbia beginning in March 1999 forced the Serbs to agree to withdraw their military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The negotiations ran in stages between 2006 and 2007, but ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, over 100 countries have recognized Kosovo, and it has joined numerous international organizations. In October 2008, Serbia sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ released the advisory opinion in July 2010 affirming that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate general principles of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, or the Constitutive Framework. The opinion was closely tailored to Kosovo's unique history and circumstances. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence, but the two countries reached an agreement to normalize their relations in April 2013 through EU-facilitated talks and are currently engaged in the implementation process.

Area

land

10,887 sq km

total

10,887 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Delaware

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m

lowest point

Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim 297 m (located on the border with Albania)

Geographic coordinates

42 35 N, 21 00 E

Land boundaries

border countries (4)

Albania 112 km, Macedonia 160 km, Montenegro 76 km, Serbia 366 km

total

714 km

Land use

arable land 27.4%; permanent crops 1.9%; permanent pasture 23.5%

agricultural land

52.8%

forest

41.7%

other

5.5% (2001 est.)

Location

Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural resources

nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite

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

Age structure

0-14 years

25.82% (male 250,907/female 232,112)

15-24 years

17.74% (male 174,208/female 157,791)

25-54 years

42.01% (male 414,684/female 371,339)

55-64 years

7.4% (male 69,030/female 69,338)

65 years and over

7.03% (male 55,107/female 76,465) (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Albanians 92.9%, Bosniaks 1.6%, Serbs 1.5%, Turk 1.1%, Ashkali 0.9%, Egyptian 0.7%, Gorani 0.6%, Roma 0.5%, other/unspecified 0.2%

note

these estimates may under-represent Serb, Roma, and some other ethnic minorities because they are based on the 2011 Kosovo national census, which excluded northern Kosovo (a largely Serb-inhabited region) and was partially boycotted by Serb and Roma communities in southern Kosovo (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%

note

in municipalities where a community's mother tongue is not one of Kosovo's offical languages, the language of that community may be given official status according to the 2006 Law on the Use of Languages (2011 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

87.5% (2003 est.)

male

96.6%

total population

91.9%

Major urban areas - population

PRISTINA (capital) 207,062 (2014)

Median age

female

28.6 years (2015 est.)

male

27.9 years

total

28.2 years

Nationality

adjective

Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovski (Serbian)

note

Kosovan, a neutral term, is sometimes also used as a noun or adjective

noun

Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovac (Serbian)

Population

1,870,981 (July 2015 est.)

Religions

Muslim 95.6%, Orthodox 1.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, other 0.07%, none 0.07%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.08 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.12 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.72 male(s)/female

at birth

1.08 male(s)/female

total population

1.06 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

63.8% (2012 est.)

male

52%

total

55.3%

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 Jug (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

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

42 40 N, 21 10 E

name

Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina)

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1974, 1990; latest (postindependence) draft finalized 2 April 2008, signed 7 April 2008, ratified 8 April 2008, entered into force 15 June 2008; amended 2013 (2013)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Kosovo

conventional short form

Kosovo

local long form

Republika e Kosoves (Republika Kosovo)

local short form

Kosova (Kosovo)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON (since 26 July 2012)

embassy

Arberia/Dragodan, Nazim Hikmet 30, Pristina, Kosovo

FAX

[381] 38 549 890

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[381] 38 59 59 3000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2175 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Vlora CITAKU (since 17 September 2015)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

202-735-0609

telephone

202-450-2130

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet elected by the Assembly

chief of state

President Atifete JAHJAGA (since 7 April 2011);

election results

Atifete JAHJAGA elected president; Assembly vote - Atifete JAHJAGA (independent) 80, Suzana NOVOBERDALIU (AKR) 10; Isa MUSTAFA (LDK) elected prime minister by the Assembly; Assembly vote -73 to 38, 2 abstentions

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 April 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister indirectly elected by the Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Isa MUSTAFA (since 9 December 2014)

Flag description

centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars arrayed in a slight arc; each star represents one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and Bosniaks

Government type

republic

Independence

17 February 2008 (from Serbia)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

IBRD, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF (observer)

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the court president and at least 15 percent of judges to reflect Kosovo's territorial ethnic composition); 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, an 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

note

Kosovo initiated a new judicial system in January 2013

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)

Legal system

civil law system; note- the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) retains limited executive powers related to the investigation of such issues as war crimes

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi i Kosoves/Skupstina Kosova (120 seats; 100 members directly elected by proportional representation vote with 20 seats reserved for ethnic minorities - 10 for Serbs and 10 for other ethnic minorities; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party/coalition - PDK/PD/LB/PSHDK/PK 30.4%, LDK 25.2%, VV 13.6%, AAK 9.5%, Serb List 5.2%, NISMA 5.2%, KDTP 1.0%, other 9.9%; seats by party/coalition - PDK/PD/LB/PSHDK/PK 37, LDK 30, VV 16, AAK 11, Serb List 9, NISMA 6, KDTP 2, VAKAT 2, other 7

elections

last held on 8 June 2014 (next expected to be held in June 2018)

National anthem

lyrics/music

no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI

name

"Europe"

note

adopted 2008; Kosovo chose to exclude lyrics in its anthem so as not to offend the country's minority ethnic groups

National holiday

Independence Day, 17 February (2008)

National symbol(s)

six, five-pointed, white stars; national colors: blue, gold, white

Political parties and leaders

Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo or PSHDK [Uke BERISHA]

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]

Civic Initiative for Kosovo or NISMA [Fatmir LIMAJ]

Conservative Party of Kosovo or PK [Munir BASHA]

Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Isa MUSTAFA]

Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]

Justice Party of Kosovo or PD [Ferid AGANI]

Movement for Self-Determination (Vetevendosje) or VV [Visar YMERI]

Movement for Unification or LB [Avni KLINAKU]

Serb List [Aleksandar JABLANOVIC]

Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo or KDTP [Mahir YAGCILAR]

Vakat Coalition or VAKAT [Rasim DEMIRI]

note

a coalition formed for the 2014 parliamentary elections included the PDK, PD, LB, PSHDK, and PK

Political pressure groups and leaders

CiviKos Platform [Valdete IDRIZI]

Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedom (human rights)

Group for Political and Legal Studies [Fisnik KORENICA]

KLA Veterans [Xhevdet QERIQI]

Kosova Women's Network [Igballe ROGOVA]

Kosovar Civil Society Foundation [Venera HAJRULLAHU]

Kosovo Democratic Institute [Ismet KRYEZIU]

Organization for Democracy, Anti-Corruption and Dignity Rise! [Avni ZOGIANI]

Serb National Council (SNV)

Speak Up [Ramadan ILAZI, executive director]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit; dairy, livestock; fish

Budget

expenditures

$1.61 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$1.396 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.8% (30 June 2013 est.)

13.7% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$312 million (2014 est.)

-$919.7 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$411.6 million (2014 est.)

$448.2 million (2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30 (FY05/06)

Economy - overview

Kosovo's economy has shown progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe with a per capita GDP (PPP) of $8,000 in 2014. An unemployment rate of 31% encourages emigration and fuels a significant informal, unreported economy. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries - are estimated to account for about 15% of GDP. International donor assistance accounts for approximately 10% of Kosovo’s GDP. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and a lack of technical expertise. Kosovo enjoys lower labor costs than the rest of the region. However, high levels of corruption and little contract enforcement have discouraged potential investors. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize a majority of its state-owned-enterprises. Minerals and metals production - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once the backbone of industry, has declined because of ageing equipment and insufficient investment. A limited and unreliable electricity supply is a major impediment to economic development, but Kosovo has received technical assistance to help improve the sector’s performance. In 2012, Kosovo privatized its electricity supply and distribution network. The US Government is cooperating with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for the construction of a new power plant. MED also has plans for the rehabilitation of an older coal power plant, and the development of a coal mine that could supply both plants. In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and began servicing its share of the former Yugoslavia's debt. In order to help integrate Kosovo into regional economic structures, UNMIK signed (on behalf of Kosovo) its accession to the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006. Serbia and Bosnia previously had refused to recognize Kosovo's customs stamp or extend reduced tariff privileges for Kosovo products under CEFTA, but both countries resumed trade with Kosovo in 2011. Kosovo joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2012 and the Council of Europe Development Bank in 2013. In 2014, Kosovo concluded the Stabilization and Association Agreement negotiations (SAA) with the EU, focused on trade liberalization. The SAA is expected to be signed by end of 2015. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used illegally in Serb majority communities. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Kosovo experienced its first federal budget deficit in 2012, when government expenditures climbed sharply. In May 2014, the government introduced a 25% salary increase for public sector employees and an equal increase in certain social benefits. Central revenues could not sustain these increases, and the Government was forced to reduce its planned capital investments. The government recently made changes to its fiscal policy that extended the list of duty-free imports, decreased the Value Added Tax (VAT) for basic food items and public utilities, and increased the VAT for all other goods.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.7489 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

0.78 (2012 est.)

0.7185 (2011 est.)

0.755 (2010 est.)

Exports

$349 million (2014 est.)

$408 million (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances, prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco, vegetable products, textiles and apparel

Exports - partners

Italy 25.8%, Albania 14.6%, Macedonia 9.6%, China 5.5%, Gernamy 5.4%, Switzerland 5.4%, Turkey 4.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

(2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

5.8%

government consumption

16%

household consumption

90.5%

imports of goods and services

-43.5%

investment in fixed capital

28.2%

investment in inventories

3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

12.9%

industry

22.6%

services

64.5% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,000 (2014 est.)

$7,700 (2013 est.)

$7,600 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.7% (2014 est.)

3.4% (2013 est.)

2.8% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.318 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$16.86 billion (2014 est.)

$16.41 billion (2013 est.)

$15.87 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

12.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

12.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

12.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Imports

$2.687 billion (2014 est.)

$3.398 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, livestock, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, minerals, textiles, stone, ceramic and glass products, electrical equipment

Imports - partners

Germany 11.9%, Macedonia 11.5%, Serbia 11.1%, Italy 8.5%, Turkey 9%, China 6.4%, Albania 4.4% (2012 est.)

Industries

mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.4% (2014 est.)

1.8% (2013 est.)

Labor force

483,200

note

includes those estimated to be employed in the grey economy (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

5.9%

industry

16.8%

services

77.3% (2013)

Population below poverty line

30% (2013 est.)

Public debt

10.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

9.1% of GDP (2013)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$NA

Stock of broad money

$2.511 billion (2014 est.)

$2.773 billion (2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$21.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$25.69 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.02 billion (2014 est.)

$2.505 billion (2013)

Taxes and other revenues

23.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

30.9% (2013 est.)

45% (2012 est.)

note

Kosovo has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7.576 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

NA bbl (July 6, 1905 est.)

Electricity - consumption

2.887 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

474.8 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - imports

875 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.526 million kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

5.324 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2007)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007)

Natural gas - proved reserves

NA cu m

Refined petroleum products - consumption

NA bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2006)

total

110,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

31 (2007)

total

562,000

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2013)

total

3

Heliports

2 (2013)

Railways

standard gauge

333 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

total

333 km

Roadways

paved

1,883 km (includes 38 km of expressways)

total

2,003 km

unpaved

120 km (2014)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

389,614 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

430,926

Military branches

Kosovo does not have a military force; the Kosovo Security Force was established in 2009 and maintains a non-military mandate in four core competencies: search-and-rescue, firefighting, demining, and hazardous material response (2015)

Disputes - international

Serbia with several other states protest the US and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaration of its status as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led Kosovo Force peacekeepers under United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

17,100 (primarily ethnic Serbs displaced during the 1998-1999 war fearing reprisals from the majority ethnic-Albanian population; a smaller number of ethnic Serbs, Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians fled their homes in 2004 as a result of violence) (2015)