Not a member or observer state of the UN
Not among the 193 UN member states or the two observer states. Admission to the UN requires a recommendation by the Security Council and a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly (UN Charter, Article 4).
National Identity
- Official name
- Republic of Kosovo
- Official name (in Albanian)
- Republika e Kosovës
- Official name (in Serbian, Cyrillic script)
- Република Косово
- Official name (in Serbian, Latin script)
- Republika Kosovo
- Name etymology
name may derive from the Serbian word kos, meaning "blackbird," or from a personal name
Sources:- Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo ↗ - Ministry of Local Government Administration, Republic of Kosovo
- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- National emblem
- National flag
- National anthem
- Evropa0:57
- Title (in Albanian)
- Evropa
- Title (in Serbian)
- Европа
- Title (in English, translated)
- Europe
- Unofficial title (in Albanian)
- Hymni i Republikës së Kosovës
- Unofficial title (in English, translated)
- National Anthem of the Republic of Kosovo
The anthem is officially without lyrics.
Source: - Citizens
- Kosovans
- Official name:Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo ↗ - Ministry of Local Government Administration, Republic of Kosovo
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Total area
- 10,887 km²
- Land area
- 10,887 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- 714 km(4 countries)
- Serbia
- 366 km
- North Macedonia
- 160 km
- Albania
- 112 km
- Montenegro
- 76 km
Source:- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Coastline
- 0 km(Landlocked)
- 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 - Mean elevation
- 450 m
- Highest point
- 2,656 mGjeravica/Deravica
- Lowest point
- 297 mDrini i Bardhe/Beli Drim (located on the border with Albania)
- 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 - Avg. temperature
- 10.6 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 5.5 to 15.8 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 823 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 3.7 −0.1 −3.7 61 February 6.1 1.7 −2.5 61 March 10.5 5.5 0.6 78 April 15.4 10 4.6 83 May 20.2 14.7 9 90 June 24.6 18.8 12.7 71 July 27.3 21 14.5 60 August 27.8 21.1 14.7 49 September 22.2 16.2 10.6 60 October 16.6 11.1 6.2 62 November 10.3 5.7 1.7 71 December 4.6 1 −2.3 77 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
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- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Mean elevation, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
Demographics
- Population change2026
- −0.43% per year−7,133 people/yearWorld Rank200thof 237
- Birth rate
- 11.6 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 6.3 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −8.4 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 33.2 yearsWorld Rank122ndof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years19.3%15-64 years69.8%65 years +10.9%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 10.9%
- Share aged under 18
- 24.5%
- Total dependency ratio
- 43
- Youth dependency ratio
- 28
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 16
- Sex ratio
- 0.97 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 0.7% 1.2% 70-79 2.2% 2.8% 60-69 4.2% 4.8% 50-59 5.6% 6.6% 40-49 6.5% 6.9% 30-39 7.5% 7.2% 20-29 8.2% 8.0% 10-19 8.3% 7.8% 0-9 6.1% 5.6% - 2026
- 0.58 below the replacement level for Kosovo ()1.52 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank164thof 237
- 0.72 daughters per woman0.28 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +5.3 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 5.3 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- −8.4 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 51.6% live in cities859,402 urban residents
- Largest cities2024
- Pristina, Prizren, Gjilan, FerizajRankCity or SettlementPopulation (2024 census)1Pristina143,4692Prizren76,8503Gjilan53,2794Ferizaj48,4725Gjakova41,8096Peja41,1717Kosovo Polje40,9628Matiçan38,3609Mitrovica33,62810Vushtrri28,150Source:
- Kosovo Agency of Statistics (2024 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution
- Population clusters exist throughout the country, with the largest in the east in and around the capital of Pristina.
- Ethnic groups2011
- Serb and Romani minorities are likely under-represented.Albanian92.9%Bosniak1.6%Serb1.5%Turk1.1%Ashkali0.9%Egyptian0.7%Gorani0.6%Romani0.5%Other/unspecified0.2%
The 2011 Kosovo census excluded northern Kosovo, a largely Serb-inhabited region, and was partially boycotted by Serb and Romani communities in southern Kosovo.
Source:- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Religions2011
- Serb, Romani, and some other minorities are likely under-represented.Muslim95.6%Roman Catholic2.2%Orthodox1.5%Other0.1%None0.1%Unspecified0.6%
The 2011 census excluded northern Kosovo, a largely Serb-inhabited region, and was partially boycotted by Serb and Romani communities in southern Kosovo.
Source:- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Languages
- Albanian (Shqip), Serbian (Српски)
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:Kosovo Agency of Statistics (2024 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicThe President is elected by the Assembly by secret ballot; Article 4, headed "Form of Government", calls Kosovo "a democratic Republic based on the principle of separation of powers" (Arts. 4, 86).Source:
- Kushtetuta e Republikës së Kosovës ↗, Arts. 4, 86
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe President proposes a Prime Minister candidate in consultation with the majority party or coalition, and the Government needs a majority of all deputies; a no-confidence vote dismisses it and lets the President dissolve the Assembly (Arts. 95, 100, 82).Source:
- Kushtetuta e Republikës së Kosovës ↗, Arts. 95, 100, 82
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Government (in Albanian, English available)
- President
- Parliament
- Capital
- Pristina227,466 people(2024)
- National holidays
- 15 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- FriJan 2New Year's Day
- WedJan 7Orthodox Christmas Day
- TueFeb 17Independence Day
- FriMar 20Eid al-Fitr (estimated)
- SunApr 5Catholic Easter
- MonApr 6Catholic Easter (observed)
- ThuApr 9Constitution Day
- SunApr 12Orthodox Easter
- MonApr 13Orthodox Easter (observed)
- FriMay 1International Labor Day
- SatMay 9Europe Day
- MonMay 11Europe Day (observed)
- WedMay 27Eid al-Adha (estimated)
- FriDec 25Catholic Christmas Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +383
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- XK (unofficial)
Kosovo does not have an official, formally assigned ISO 3166-1 code. XK is a widely used user-assigned code for Kosovo.
- Infrastructure
- Railways437 km
- Heliports
- 11
- Aircraft registration prefix
- Z6
Source:- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Passenger rail
- Trainkos
- 2025
- 43 / 100World Rank76thof 182
Significant improverUp 10 points since 2015, when it scored 33.
Confidence intervalCorruption index score by year Year Score Lower bound Upper bound 2012 34 32 37 2013 33 29 37 2014 33 29 37 2015 33 29 37 2016 36 31 41 2017 39 36 42 2018 37 35 39 2019 36 34.7 37.3 2020 36 34.9 37.1 2021 39 35.2 42.8 2022 41 36.8 45.2 2023 41 37.1 44.9 2024 44 40 48 2025 43 39.3 46.7 Source:- Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Kushtetuta e Republikës së Kosovës ↗ - Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Corruption Perceptions Index:Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
Economy
- Upper middle income
- GDP (nominal)2026
- $14.2 billionWorld Rank151stof 195
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +3.5% per yearWorld Rank80thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- $21,640World Rank99thof 195
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $8,902 (99th in the world)
Source: - 2025
- Services46.2% of GDPIndustry25% of GDPAgriculture7.4% of GDPManufacturing12.5%part of industry
- Households
- +83.9%
- Government
- +12.4%
- Investment
- +34%
- Exports
- +41.7%
- Imports
- −72%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useSource:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 6.8%up 2.9 percentage points2.9pp from 2025
- Budget balance2026
- 2.4% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 9.3% of GDP, $1.3 billion deficit
Source: - Debt2024
- Government debt16.9% of GDPCentral government debt16.9% of GDPSource:
- Trade2025
- Goods$1.1 billion18.1%
- Services$4.9 billion81.9%
- Total exports
- $6 billion
- Change from 2024
- up 27.7 percent on the previous year27.7%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Industries
- mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, textiles
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
Cost of Living
- Cost of living index
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- Monthly costs (excluding rent)
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- Rent
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- Buying an apartment
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- Average gross salary2019
- €477 per month$534 (USD), $1,186 (PPP)
- Average gross salary:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2022
- 38.3
- Credit-card ownership2024
- 11% of adults
- Debit-card ownership
- 56%
- Account at a bank or mobile-money provider
- 64%
- Made or received a digital payment
- 47%
Source:- Global Findex Database ↗ - World Bank
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 1 site1 cultural
Site Medieval Monuments in Kosovo Source:- The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Income inequality (Gini):World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Credit-card ownership:Global Findex Database ↗ - World Bank
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
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- Homicide rate2021
- Low by global standards1.9 per 100,000 peopleWorld Rank61stof 115
- Crime rates
- 7 offence categories
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 1.9 33 2021 Serious assault 18.1 316 2021 Sexual violence 8.7 153 2019 Kidnapping 0.6 10 2021 Burglary 219.2 3,839 2020 Theft 241.2 4,224 2020 Vehicle theft 6.6 116 2020 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2020
- 79.7 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 1,396
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 78.6 years
- Infant mortality2026
- 8.3 per 1,000 live births
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
Environment
- Environmental issues
- air pollution from power plants and lignite mines
- water scarcity and pollution
- land degradation
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
Food & Water
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Share of world total
- 0.02%
- Supply
- Deficitproduces 61% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- Balanced trade, imports 3.2 TWh and exports 2.6 TWh in 20247 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 7 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 6.7 TWh per year
- Imports
- 3.2 TWh per year
- Exports
- 2.6 TWh per year
- Net
- −0.5 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 18,264 b/d in 2024Consumption202418,264 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
Defense
- Military expenditure2024
- 1.5% of GDP$165.6 million, 4.8% of government spending
- Military personnel2024
- approximately 3,300Kosovo Security Forces, including about 800 reserves
- Military service2025
- 18+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
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Military expenditure:SIPRI Military Expenditure Database ↗ - Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
- Military expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Military personnel, Military service:The World Factbook: Kosovo - CIA
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists