Marsenic: Young Albanians leave Kosovo due to economic factors, Serbs in search of peace

Sociologist Marija Marsenic from the Institute for European Studies stated that since the visa regime for Kosovo citizens was lifted, the trend of youth emigration – both Serbs and Albanians – has intensified, although the reasons for emigration differ. While the Albanian population struggles with economic instability in Kosovo, the Serbian population is leaving in search of safety, freedom, and a peaceful life free from attacks and tensions.

It has been almost a year since visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens was approved, and several months since Serbian passport holders gained the same privilege.

Marsenic notes that emigration is nothing new for Kosovo.

“As for the north, the trend of youth leaving is present, but the reasons are not the same as for the Albanian population. For them, the main reason is economic factors, whereas for young people in northern Kosovo and Metohija, the primary reason is the search for freedom. Due to the extremely poor security situation in Kosovo and Metohija, young people, as well as all other Serbs in the north, lack basic human rights,” Marsenic told Kosovo Online.

She points out that Serbs in Kosovo grow up in extremely complex circumstances.

Growing up in an atmosphere of fear, lack of freedom, tensions, provocations, and violence are the reasons why young people from the north decide to seek their future abroad, Marsenic explains.

“Their social life is limited, which is very important for young people and their socialization. They need to have a normal childhood and upbringing. Children and young people often grow up in an atmosphere of fear and violence, without a normal childhood, without access to free play and socializing, due to the constant fear of incidents caused by ethnic and political tensions in Kosovo and Metohija,” Marsenic observed.

She adds that the emigration of young people often leads to entire families leaving, further weakening the Serbian community in Kosovo and contributing to the demographic devastation of the north.

“It can be said that young people from the north leave in search of normalcy, driven by a desire for a normal life and upbringing in places where they can fulfill their potential without constant pressure and tension,” she reiterated.

However, she notes that the situation is not easy for Albanians either.

Marsenic believes that the exodus of young Albanians due to poor working conditions and lack of opportunities will cause immeasurable damage to Kosovo’s economy.

She recalled scenes at Pristina Airport after visa restrictions were lifted, where young people left en masse for Western European countries in search of a better future and economic opportunities.

“This will undoubtedly negatively impact the economy of so-called Kosovo because the departure of qualified young workers will lead to a reduced labor force in the job market, which brings numerous consequences for economic productivity, especially in key sectors such as industry, agriculture, and services. Furthermore, the departure of educated and highly qualified young people, such as doctors, engineers, and scientists, will certainly contribute to a general decline in quality of life and standards. It will also lead to a shortage of skilled professionals and decreased investment, affecting both the economic and social quality of life,” Marsenic concluded.