The Impact of Economic, Social, and Political Determining Factors of the Youth Migration in Kosovo

Abstract

This paper empirically investigates the propensity of youth migration in Kosovo and the impact of the determining factors. Worryingly, 59% of respondents have expressed a propensity to migrate. Their most preferred destinations are Germany, Switzerland, and North America. The economic, cultural, and security concerns appear to have a statistically significant impact on the propensity to migrate. The respondents with a propensity to migrate tend to view migration mostly as an opportunity, while those without a propensity to migrate tend to perceive it as both risk and opportunity. The results suggest that employment in the services and craftsmanship sector is the most preferred. Regrettably, only 16% of respondents have participated in a relevant formal migration program. Finally, 43.8% of respondents will return home if they solve the problems or issues for which they would migrate. Significantly, there is a noticeable inter-generational increase in gender equality, measured by the increase of female respondents’ participation in higher education.