Kosovo is a partially recognized state in Southeast Europe, located between Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. The majority of the population is Albanian, with a significant minority of Serbs and other ethnic groups. Its capital and largest city is Pristina.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but its independence is not recognized by all countries, including Serbia, Russia, China, and some EU members. Kosovo is recognized by 98 out of 193 United Nations member states, including the United States and most European Union countries.

Kosovo is a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system. Its economy is among the poorest in Europe, with agriculture and mining being the main industries. The country has a young population, with a median age of 29.4 years. Albanian and Serbian are official languages, and the majority of the population is Muslim with a significant Christian minority.

Kosovo is a member of some international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the International Olympic Committee. The country is also a candidate for membership in the European Union and has been engaged in negotiations with the EU since 2011.

Telephone Code
383

Local Emergency Phone
94

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December

Currency (Code)
Euros (EUR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages
Albanian, Bosnian, Serbian, Turkish

Major Religions
Muslim 95.6%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Orthodox 1.5%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Patriarchate of Pe?; Prizren Fortress; Gra?anica Monastery; Kosovo Museum (includes the Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum)

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, wrestling, boxing, track and field

Cultural Practices
If visiting religious sites, mosques, or monasteries, dress modestly. For men, this means trousers instead of shorts and not sleeveless shirts. For women, dress with long skirts or trousers, conservative tops, and bring something to cover your head.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is not expected from locals, but always welcome from foreigners. For taxi fares, you can tip to the nearest euro or half euro.

Souvenirs
Leather goods, wool items/knitwear, hand-sewn lace, filigree items, black pottery, wood engravings, musical instruments, coffee sets

Traditional Cuisine
Flia — crêpe-like batter layers brushed with cream and served with sour cream

Geography
Area
total: 10,887 sq km
land: 10,887 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December

Natural resources
nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite

People and Society
Population
1,964,327 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Albanians 92.9%, Bosniaks 1.6%, Serbs 1.5%, Turk 1.1%, Ashkali 0.9%, Egyptian 0.7%, Gorani 0.6%, Romani 0.5%, other/unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)

Languages
Albanian (official) 94.5%, Bosnian 1.7%, Serbian (official) 1.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 0.9% (includes Romani), unspecified 0.1%; note - in municipalities where a community's mother tongue is not one of Kosovo's official languages, the language of that community may be given official status according to the 2006 Law on the Use of Languages (2011 est.)

Religions
Muslim 95.6%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Orthodox 1.5%, other 0.1%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
0.62% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina)

Executive branch
chief of state: President Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (since 4 April 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Albin KURTI (since 22 March 2021)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$21.226 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$11,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit; dairy, livestock; fish

Industries
mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, textiles

Exports
$3.138 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Albania 16%, India 14%, North Macedonia 12.1%, Serbia 10.6%, Switzerland 5.6%, Germany 5.4% (2017)

Exports - commodities
mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances, prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco, vegetable products, textiles and apparel

Imports
$6.128 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 12.4%, Serbia 12.3%, Turkey 9.6%, China 9.1%, Italy 6.4%, North Macedonia 5.1%, Albania 5%, Greece 4.4% (2017)

Imports - commodities
foodstuffs, livestock, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, minerals, textiles, stone, ceramic and glass products, electrical equipment