Citizens of Kosovo report the highest level of personal security perception in the Western Balkans, according to the latest SecuriMeter 2025 report published by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).
The survey, conducted between May 30 and June 18, 2025, with 6,007 respondents across the six Western Balkan countries, shows that 64.3 percent of Kosovo citizens feel safe in their daily lives, ranking Kosovo first in the region for this indicator.
Additionally, 58.4 percent of respondents in Kosovo consider their country a safe place to live — significantly higher than the regional average, where only 38.4 percent of Western Balkan citizens share the same view about the region overall.
Regarding the future, 36.9 percent of Kosovo citizens expect the regional security situation to improve over the next year, reflecting a relatively high level of optimism compared to other countries in the region.
At the same time, concerns about scenarios such as war or civil conflict remain lower in Kosovo than in several neighboring countries.
However, the report highlights that economic problems remain the primary concern of citizens, both in Kosovo and across the region.
Across all six Western Balkan countries, 55.7 percent of respondents identify the high cost of living as the greatest challenge, while 52.8 percent are concerned about inflation and 52.4 percent about pension levels.
In Kosovo, only 29.1 percent of citizens express satisfaction with the economic situation. A significant portion report difficulties covering monthly expenses, particularly unexpected costs, vacations, or social activities.
The report also addresses migration trends, noting that 27.3 percent of citizens across the region express a desire or plans to leave their country, mainly for Western Europe and the United States.
In Kosovo, however, 80.6 percent of respondents state that they do not plan to leave, indicating a higher level of societal resilience compared to the broader region.
Regarding immigration, attitudes remain divided: 54.8 percent of citizens view it as a humanitarian responsibility, while 43.4 percent believe immigration may increase crime rates.
Institutionally, trust remains highest in security institutions such as the police and the military across the region, while confidence in political institutions and media remains lower.
A considerable number of citizens express skepticism regarding media impartiality and public information practices.
The SecuriMeter 2025 report concludes that although Kosovo stands out for its higher sense of personal security and relative optimism compared to the region, economic challenges, the rising cost of living, and trust in institutions remain key issues directly affecting citizens’ well-being.
