From 2018 to 2022, almost nine percent of the population left Kosovo

Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2022, Kosovo saw the departure of 156,080 people, according to data published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo in its annual migration profile, Reporteri reports.

"The balance of international migration, net migration, in Kosovo for the year 2022 was 30,889 inhabitants or 1.75% of the permanent population. For the period from 2018 to 2022, it is estimated that 156,080 inhabitants left Kosovo, or about 8.85% of the country's population", the statement said.

During the period from 2020 to 2022, 26,329 residents immigrated to Kosovo, while over 93,005 residents emigrated. In this period, the population decreased by more than 8,776 people.

"On April 1, 2011, estimates indicated that 703,978 residents lived abroad; by the end of 2022, it is estimated that more than 949,719 residents or 53.89% of Kosovo's population reside abroad", data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo states.

Kosovo faces the risk of increased migration even after the visa liberalization starting January 1 of this year.

The spokesperson for Pristina Airport, Valentina Gara, announced yesterday that over 83,000 people had traveled through Pristina's "Adem Jashari" airport outside Kosovo in just one week, including emigrants who had come for the New Year holidays.

She stated that during the first week of January, 620 flights had been conducted at Pristina Airport.

"Through 'Adem Jashari' airport 83,141 people traveled. There were 620 flights", Gara said.