Kosovo
Republic of KosovoRepublika e Kosoves (Republika Kosovo)
republicIndependence 17 February 2008 (from Serbia)
Kosovo as the 2015 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 104 fields, one of 18 editions from 2008 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Geography
Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia
13 fieldsClimate
- 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
Land use
- agricultural land:
- 52.8%;
- arable land 27.4%;
- permanent crops 1.9%;
- permanent pasture 23.5%
- forest:
- 41.7%
- other:
- 5.5% (2001 est.)
People and Society
11 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2015 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2011 est.)
Religions(2011 est.)
Nationality
- noun:
- Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovac (Serbian)
- adjective:
- Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovski (Serbian)
note: Kosovan, a neutral term, is sometimes also used as a noun or adjective
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.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.08 male(s)/female
- 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
- total population:
- 1.06 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
Government
Republic; President Atifete JAHJAGA (since 7 April 2011); Prime Minister Isa MUSTAFA (since 9 December 2014)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Assembly or Kuvendi i Kosoves/Skupstina Kosova, elected 8 June 2014percent of vote
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)
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
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
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)
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Atifete JAHJAGA (since 7 April 2011);
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Isa MUSTAFA (since 9 December 2014)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet elected by the Assembly
- 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
- 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
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)
- elections:
- last held on 8 June 2014 (next expected to be held in June 2018)
- 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
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
- subordinate courts:
- Court of Appeals (organized into 4 departments: ;
- Basic Court (located in 7 municipalities, each with several branches)
note: Kosovo initiated a new judicial system in January 2013
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]
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Vlora CITAKU (since 17 September 2015)
- chancery:
- 2175 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037
- telephone:
- 202-450-2130
- FAX:
- 202-735-0609
- consulate(s) general:
- New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON (since 26 July 2012)
- embassy:
- Arberia/Dragodan, Nazim Hikmet 30, Pristina, Kosovo
- mailing address:
- use embassy street address
- telephone:
- [381] 38 59 59 3000
- FAX:
- [381] 38 549 890
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:
National anthem
- name:
- "Europe"
- lyrics/music:
- no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI
note: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose to exclude lyrics in its anthem so as not to offend the country's minority ethnic groups
Economy
34 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2009 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
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.
Gross national saving
12.5% of GDP (2014 est.) · 12.7% of GDP (2013 est.) · 12.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Industries
mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, textiles
Labor force
483,200 note: includes those estimated to be employed in the grey economy (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Unemployment rate
30.9% (2013 est.) · 45% (2012 est.) note: Kosovo has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data country comparison to the world: 184
Commercial bank prime lending rate
12.8% (30 June 2013 est.) · 13.7% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Stock of broad money
$2.511 billion (2014 est.) · $2.773 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Stock of domestic credit
$2.02 billion (2014 est.) · $2.505 billion (2013) country comparison to the world: 133
Current account balance
-$312 million (2014 est.) · -$919.7 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Exports - commodities
mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances, prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco, vegetable products, textiles and apparel
Imports - commodities
foodstuffs, livestock, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, minerals, textiles, stone, ceramic and glass products, electrical equipment
Debt - external
$411.6 million (2014 est.) · $448.2 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$21.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $25.69 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
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.)
Energy
12 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 1.526 million kW(2012 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
7.576 million Mt (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Communications
2 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2006–07)
Transportation
6 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Networkskm
Roadways
- total:
- 2,003 km
- paved:
- 1,883 km (includes 38 km of expressways)
- unpaved:
- 120 km (2014)
country comparison to the world: 147
Military
2 fieldsMilitary 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)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - 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)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Kosovo.” The World Factbook 2015. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/kosovo/2015.