The number of social assistance beneficiaries in Kosovo has dropped by 12.9%, according to recent data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics. The decline is attributed to migration and stricter eligibility criteria for social support programs.
From over 19,000 individuals who were listed as social aid recipients last year, the number has now fallen to approximately 17,000. In the capital city of Pristina alone, nearly 800 families currently rely on social assistance to survive.
One such story is that of a 23-year-old Pristina resident who collects and sells aluminum cans on the streets in order to support his family.
“I try to sell cans in Pristina every day. I’m the oldest child, and my father is ill. We’re scared we might be evicted from the rented house soon,” he said, highlighting the severe economic challenges many families face.
The Director of Social Welfare in Pristina, Adelina Sahiti, confirmed the downward trend.
“Currently, we have 790 families in the capital receiving social assistance. Four years ago, that number was around 1,500. The decrease is due to both migration and the tightening of eligibility criteria,” Sahiti said.
She emphasized that in addition to stricter criteria, regular field verifications and limited employment opportunities have also influenced the figures—despite an ongoing wave of price hikes affecting daily life.
According to sociologist Ragip Fetahu, the difficult economic situation is also taking a toll on citizens’ mental and emotional well-being.
“There is a lack of comprehensive policies in Kosovo to combat poverty,” Fetahu noted.
While the unemployment rate in Kosovo currently stands at 10.9%, the poverty rate has not been updated since 2017, raising concerns over the lack of current data in a country still grappling with deep-rooted socio-economic challenges.
