Experts warn: Poverty is increasing in Kosovo

Poverty in Kosovo continues to increase from year to year, exacerbating the situation for socially vulnerable groups. According to the latest UNDP report for the year 2023, poverty in Kosovo has increased by 16 percent, simultaneous with a recorded decline in economic growth, KosovaPress writes.

While the basic needs of citizens have increased, social incomes have remained the same. This is the view of the Red Cross, which assesses that every municipality in Kosovo has cases of poverty, and many families lack the means to purchase essential items from the 'consumer basket'.

Economists assess that unemployment and the lack of market indexation are the causes of the high level of poverty in Kosovo.

Project Manager at 'Public Puls', Alisa Hasani, highlights for KosovaPress that a key conclusion of their research is that poverty in Kosovo has significantly increased this year. She said that while families had spent 200 euros per month on food in 2021, in 2023, they spent much more, influenced by the rising prices of basic products.

Armend Shala from the Red Cross says that they are receiving an increasing number of requests from the socially vulnerable, making it impossible for them to help everyone.

Social issues expert Artan Mustafa believes that the low employment rate is the reason for poverty in Kosovo.

"Kosovo has the lowest employment rate, so for that reason, many families need social assistance. However, it is not sufficient to meet the needs of all families", Mustafa emphasized.

In a written response to this media outlet, the Kosovo Agency of Statistics stated that the last data on people living in poverty was from 2017 when an increase of 42 percent had been recorded.