Gudzic: Pristina may try to use census results for political manipulations

The final census results indicate that Kosovo has a population of 1,602,512, but a significant portion of Serbs boycotted the census, which, according to analyst Aleksandar Gudzic, could mean that Pristina may try to exploit the census results for certain political manipulations.

Gudzic reminds that the last relevant and legitimate census in Kosovo was conducted in 1981.

“Albanians boycotted the census in 1991. In 2001, when a census was supposed to be conducted, it did not take place because it was two years after the war. In 2011, when the census was held, Serbs largely boycotted it across various regions in Kosovo. The most recent census in 2024 was again boycotted by Serbs in the north due to everything that had happened,” Gudzic stated.

He emphasizes that the census showed that Kosovo is an area experiencing population decline.

“We have over 150,000 fewer residents. That says something. Will the official Pristina use the census results for political manipulations and games? I think they will,” Gudzic said.

Since a certain number of Serbs boycotted this year’s census, and in some places census takers did not even visit households, Gudzic points out that this could impact a reduced budget and that "for decades, the census has been a tool for political manipulations and constructions by one side or the other."

“Perhaps the best example is 2011, when Serbs in Gracanica, within the Gracanica municipality, partially boycotted the census. That census, as far as I recall, showed there were 10,000 Serbs in Gracanica. This year, when the census was conducted and Serbs participated, it showed there are more Serbs, leading to a larger budget and more opportunities for the municipality to work on infrastructure projects that will improve citizens’ lives,” Gudzic explained.