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Migration in the Western Balkans: Albania and Kosovo Lead the Region
Migration flows are becoming one of the main constraints on long-term economic growth across the six Western Balkan economies.
In its latest Regional Economic Report, published this week, the World Bank notes that in 2024-2025 the region continued to face a persistent outflow of labour, deepening pressures in already strained labour markets.
The data show that Albania remains at the centre of this challenge, with the highest net migration figures, measured as departures minus returns. Serbia, meanwhile, records the lowest level of net migration relative to the size of its population.
Albania, the Most Affected Country in the Region
Albania ranks first for net migration, with the figure remaining unchanged at -24,200 people in both 2024 and 2025. The country continues to face a sustained demographic drain, with no sign of improvement. On the contrary, emigration pressures appear to have intensified since the pandemic.
The main drivers remain the search for higher wages and better living conditions in European Union countries, especially among young people and skilled professionals. World Bank data suggest that domestic policies aimed at slowing this trend have yet to produce the expected results.
This high level of emigration remains a critical challenge for Albania’s labour market, economic potential and the long-term sustainability of its social protection systems.
Kosovo: A Decline After the Visa Liberalisation Surge
For Kosovo, the World Bank points to a clear improvement over the past year. Net migration fell from -22,000 people in 2024 to -18,500 in 2025, suggesting a gradual stabilisation.
This decline likely reflects a normalisation after the initial wave that followed visa liberalisation, which typically brings a temporary peak in departures before flows begin to ease. Even so, Kosovo’s figures remain among the highest in the region, showing that pressure to emigrate is still strong, especially among young people facing limited job opportunities.
The main reasons for leaving remain economic, but the slowdown suggests that the desire to move abroad permanently may be moderating. The lower level of departures in 2025 is therefore an encouraging signal for the demographic stability of the region’s youngest state.
Serbia: Departures Are Rising, but Remain the Lowest Relative to Population
Serbia has seen a noticeable deterioration, with net migration rising from -8,200 in 2024 to -13,100 in 2025, according to the World Bank.
However, given its population of around 6.8 million, Serbia still has the lowest net migration rate in the region. The increase appears to reflect growing uncertainty and dissatisfaction within the country, despite the continued inflow of large foreign investments.
In Serbia’s case, emigration is driven not only by economic motives, but also by broader concerns over governance, institutions and political freedoms. The rise in departures puts the country in a more fragile demographic position than previously expected.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Persistent Outflow
Bosnia and Herzegovina also recorded an increase in net migration, from -4,600 people in 2024 to -7,100 in 2025.
The trend is fuelled mainly by the country’s long-standing political deadlock and the lack of a clear and rapid path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Many citizens are leaving for countries such as Germany and Austria, not only for employment opportunities, but also in search of a more stable social, legal and institutional environment.
The increase suggests that the forces pushing people to leave are strengthening, while domestic reforms are not advancing fast enough to reverse the trend.
North Macedonia: Outflows Show Signs of Stabilisation
North Macedonia is one of the few countries in the region, along with Kosovo, to show a slight improvement. Net migration eased from -5,900 people in 2024 to -5,700 in 2025.
Although modest, the change points to a degree of stability compared with neighbouring countries where emigration has accelerated more sharply. This may be linked to structural reform efforts and a labour market that is trying to absorb part of the available workforce.
Still, the overall balance remains negative. Persistent problems such as low wages, corruption and limited opportunities continue to encourage people to leave, even though the country appears to have avoided a sudden surge in departures.
Montenegro: The Sharpest Increase in the Region
Montenegro recorded the strongest increase in net migration among the Western Balkan countries, rising from -1,800 people in 2024 to -9,300 in 2025.
The reasons are complex. They include the rising cost of living, uncertainty in the tourism sector, which is the backbone of the economy, and growing frustration with domestic governance. Montenegro has the smallest population in the region, at around 600,000 people, and one of the highest living standards among the WB6 economies.
Yet the sharp rise in departures shows that even relatively higher living standards are not enough to contain emigration pressures when citizens feel that opportunities, stability and trust in institutions remain limited. /B.Hoxha
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