Immigration in the region, Albania and Kosovo lead

2026-05-18 08:29:00, Sociale CNA

Migration flows are becoming a major obstacle to long-term economic growth in the six Western Balkan countries (WB6).

The World Bank, in its regular regional economic report, which was published these days, noted that even in the last two years, 2024-2025, the region continues to suffer from the ongoing hemorrhage of the labor force, creating great difficulties in the labor market.

Data shows that Albania remains at the center of this issue, recording the highest net emigration figures (departures minus returns), while Serbia has the lowest figures compared to its population.

Albania the most affected country in the region for emigration

Albania tops the list with the highest level of net emigration, maintaining a constant figure of -24.2 thousand in both years 2024-2025. The country is facing a continuous demographic hemorrhage that is not reflecting improvement, on the contrary, it has accelerated after the pandemic.

The main reasons are related to the demand for higher wages and better living conditions in European Union countries, especially among young people and professionals.

World Bank data suggests that domestic policies to curb this phenomenon are not yielding the expected results. This high trend remains a critical challenge for the labor market and the sustainability of social schemes in the country.

Kosovo, decline after high influx of vein removal

The World Bank sees a significant improvement for Kosovo over the past year. The net migration figure decreases from -22,000 people in 2024 to -18,500 in 2025, indicating a trend towards stabilization.

This downward trend reflects stabilization after the first wave of visa liberalization, which often brings a peak and then a decline. However, the figures still remain among the highest in the region, indicating that the pressure to emigrate remains high due to youth unemployment.

The reasons for emigration remain largely economic, but the decline in the pace indicates a slowdown in the desire to leave permanently. The decline in emigration by 2025 is an encouraging sign for the demographic stability of the region's newest state.

Serbia sees increase in departures, but lowest in the region

Serbia shows a significant deterioration of the situation, with net emigration increasing from -8,200 in 2024 to -13,100 in 2025, the World Bank reported. But in relation to its population of around 6.8 million, Serbia has lower net emigration figures.

This increase is mainly attributed to insecurity and a growing dissatisfaction within the country with the government, despite high-value foreign investments entering Serbian territory. Emigration to Serbia is mainly related to the demand for greater political freedoms. The increase in this figure places Serbia in a more delicate position than initial predictions for demographic stability in the region.

Bosnia, sustainable immigration

Bosnia and Herzegovina also registers an increase in net emigration, going from -4,600 in 2024 to -7,100 in 2025. This negative trend is mainly fueled by the long political stalemate and the lack of a clear perspective for rapid integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.

Citizens are leaving for countries like Germany or Austria to find not only jobs, but also a more stable social and legal environment. The increasing trend shows that the driving factors are strengthening, while internal reforms are not moving at the right pace.

North Macedonia stabilizes departures

North Macedonia is the only country on the list, alongside Kosovo, that shows a slight improvement, moving from -5,900 departures in 2024 to -5,700 in 2025. Although the change is small, it reflects a kind of stability compared to neighbors that are experiencing rapid emigration growth.

The reasons for this stability can be linked to structural reform efforts and a labor market that is trying to absorb the free labor force. However, the negative trend shows that underlying problems such as corruption and low wages continue to drive citizens out, but the country has managed to somewhat control the sudden large outflows.

Montenegro also turns to immigration

Montenegro has experienced the largest increase within the region in the past year, from -1,800 people removed in 2024 to -9,300 in 2025. The reasons are complex and include changes in the cost of living and instability in the tourism sector, which is the main sector of the economy.

Montenegro has the smallest population in the region, with around 600,000 inhabitants, but at the same time the highest standard of living. However, the increasing trend of departures shows the population's disappointment with internal governance./Monitor