Kosovo continues to rank below the regional average in terms of workers’ rights, with the lowest labor market participation (38.6% employment and 43.2% activity).
In comparison, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia mark a more active market and higher employment levels, while other countries in the region remain below 50% of activity.
The data was presented at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Pristina by the Musine Kokalari Institute for Social Policy, as part of the 2024–2025 comparative report on the quality of workers’ rights in the Western Balkans.
The report highlights that most countries in the region face low wages, long working hours, insufficient workplace protection and weak social dialogue. Kosovo also has the lowest minimum wage in the region, 342 euros, which does not even cover half of the real cost of living.
“These indicators show that work in Kosovo does not guarantee a minimum standard of living and that current policies are not sufficiently protecting workers,” said Visar Ymeri, executive director of the Musine Kokalari Institute for Social Policy.
The report also highlights violations of legal working hours, a lack of inspection capacity, and a deep gender gap, with women’s participation in the labor market of only 34.7% and a wage gap of 18.6%.
The Institute calls on institutions, unions and employers to raise decent work standards in Kosovo and across the region.