Kosovar Emigration: Causes, Losses and Benefits

Migrations of population have been an integral part of the society throughout history. Countries with low levels of economic development like Kosovo are emigration countries, while immigration countries are those countries that have developed economies and social and political stability. Kosovar emigration until the beginning of the second half of the 20th century was individual migration (male workforce) headed to major industrial centres of the former Yugoslavia, whereas after the 1970s, it spread to European countries. Unfavourable economic and political situation is one of the main causes of Kosovar emigration. According to the population census (2011), approximately 30% of the general population of Kosovo live abroad. Remittances from emigration play an important role in the development of Kosovo. However, there are also negative aspects of emigration such as the loss of young population, the loss of skilled population, gender and age disbalance in the country of origin etc. By analyzing the statistical data and various studies, using analytical, historical, comparative and demographic methods, this paper aims to investigate the time periods of emigration, socio-demographic features of Kosovar emigration, emigration according to the municipalities of Kosovo, destinations of emigration, motives, losses and benefits of emigration.