REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO FACTS AND FIGURES FACTS REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO You can read everything you need to know about Kosovo today in “Republic FACTS AND FIGURES of Kosovo facts and figures”. From historical turning points to how the political system works: this book covers numerous aspects of everyday life, including economy, education, foreign policy, culture and the arts, tradition, gastronomy, and many other topics. 2020 A practical handbook, it gives you facts as well as hints on how best to enjoy Kosovo and the many places of interest that it offers. This insightful publication includes Foreign policy descriptions that are easy to follow, as well as charts, tables, illustrations and photos, making it a must-have for everyone who wants to learn more about modern life in Republic of Kosovo. · Society · Economy · Culture 2020 REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO FACTS AND FIGURES CONTENTS FOREWORD AT A GLANCE 4 KOSOVO AS A COUNTRY OF 44 The Republic 4 RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE Crests & Symbols 6 Demographics 8 MIGRATION 52 Geography & Climate 10 THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE 56 THE LEGAL AND 12 IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO POLITICAL SYSTEM Introduction 56 Form of government and the 12 The public broadcaster (RTK) 58 separation of powers Private national terrestrial TV stations 58 The Legislative Branch 12 Private national TV stations that 59 The Executive Branch 16 Broadcast via satellite The Judicial Branch 19 Regional TV stations 59 Local Radio stations 59 Print media 60 22 FOREIGN POLICY Online media 60 Historical background 23 Regulation in the media sector 61 Kosovo’s declaration of 24 in Kosovo independence in 2008 European integration 24 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS 62 Regional cooperation 25 SEECP 25 66 Kosovo in the Berlin Process 25 FOOD IN KOSOVO Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 26 The EU-facilitated dialogue for 26 WINE 72 the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia International organizations 27 KOSOVO AND ALTERNATIVE 74 Public diplomacy 28 TOURISM Economic diplomacy 28 The Battle of Kosovo – the Field 74 Digital diplomacy 29 of Blackbirds Promotion of coffee culture 76 BUSINESS AND ECONOMY 30 Monuments to American Presidents 77 The legislative framework of doing 30 business in Kosovo MOUNTAINS 78 Taxes 32 The Kosovo economy 33 SPORT 80 34 THE IMPERMANENCE OF 84 A PERMANENT PEACE THE FASHION DESIGN INDUSTRY KOSOVO’S MUSIC 88 KOSOVO’S CONNECTION 37 WITH THE DIASPORA PICTURE CREDITS 92 BIBLIOGRAPHY 93 CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE 40 IMPRINT 94 REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO GETTING AROUND 95 FOREWORD Kosovo is the newest country in Europe, Kosovars – equivalent to 20% of Kosovo’s having declared independence in 2008. resident population. With 70% of the population under 35 years old, there is another sense in which it is Through this publication, the Konrad- the youngest country in Europe. Its recent Adenauer-Stiftung and its partner, the statehood and youthful population make German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce, Kosovo a vibrant and energetic place where aim to share basic information about the a rich cultural heritage of costumes and Republic of Kosovo. The text is targeted at traditions has been preserved. Among members of the international community these traditions is the now famous Kosovan who need additional information about hospitality, generosity and ability to create the country within a single publication. The an inviting environment for everyone who publication is divided into 17 chapters, each visits the country. It is a must-see for anyone of them sharing information in facts and who loves a good macchiato or likes to enjoy figures about the country. The Republic of fine dining on a low budget. Kosovo: facts and figures aims to help Kosovo promote itself internationally and present the Kosovo has a multiethnic character and is opportunities available. a secular state with a population of around 2 million. It is open to foreign investments, We wish you pleasant and interesting reading. with tax rates that are the lowest in Europe. Kosovo has a strong connection to Western culture through its diaspora: Switzerland Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Germany each host around 200.000 German-Kosovar Business Association 4 | 5 AT A GLANCE AT A GLANCE The Republic Crests & Symbols Demographics Geography & Climate Parliament & Parties Government The President Judiciary by Jeta Krasniqi Project Manager and Senior Researcher at the Democratic Institute of Kosovo / Transparency International Kosovo THE REPUBLIC Kosovo is a multi-party parliamentary repre- Since declaring its independence, Kosovo sentative democratic state. It is governed by has gained diplomatic recognition as a sov- legislative, executive and judicial institutions ereign state by 116 states. which derive from the constitution, which is the highest legal act of the Republic of Koso- Kosovo is administratively subdivided into vo. The government exercises the executive seven districts and 38 municipalities. Munic- power and is composed of the Prime Minis- ipalities in Kosovo are units of local self-gov- ter as the head of government, with depu- ernment. The largest municipality is the cap- ty prime ministers and the ministers of the ital city, Pristina/ Prishtina, with a population various ministries. The President is the head of 204,721. of state. The administrative map of districts in Kosovo Mitrovica/ Kosovska Mitrovica Prishtina/ Priština Peja/Peć Gjilan/ Gnjilane Ferizaj/ Gjakova/ Uroševac Đakovica Prizreni/ Prizren District of Ferizaj District of Mitrovica District of Prizren District of Gjakova District of Peja District of Gjilan District of Pristina 6 | 7 AT A GLANCE Coat of arms Constitution The coat of arms shows six white stars in an The Constitution of the Republic of arc above a solid golden outline of Kosovo, as Kosovo, which was signed on 7 April, 2008, seen on a standard projection map, placed on a separates the government into three rounded triangular shield with a blue field and a branches: the legislative, the executive and golden border. Its central figures, the stars and the judiciary. the map outline, are also the components of the flag of Kosovo, adopted at the same time. Flag National day 17 February The flag of Kosovo shows six white stars in 17 February is a national holiday an arc above a golden map of Kosovo on a commemorating the fact that on that date in blue field. The stars symbolize Kosovo’s six 2008, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo major ethnic groups. promulgated the Kosovo Declaration of Independence. Currency EUR The country’s official currency is the euro. Kosovo is not a member of the Euro Zone but the country unilaterally adopted the euro in 2002 during the United Nations Interim Administration mandate and has used it ever since as its de facto currency. National Anthem ‘Europe’ is the national anthem of Kosovo. It was composed by Mendi Mengjiqi. It has no official lyrics, and one of the reasons for this choice was because it contained no references to any specific ethnic group, but unofficial lyrics have been written for it. It was adopted on 11 June 2008. 17 February EUR 8 | 9 AT A GLANCE LIF E EXP ECTA NCY POPULATION GENDER DISTRIBUTION DEMOGRAPHICS 79 years 4 years 1,,2 ,2 ,00 Women Men Women Men The average life expectancy in the Repub- lic of Kosovo is 71.65 years. Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe with half of its population under the age of 25, according to a recent report by the United Nations Devel- opment Programme, UNDP. Government data estimates that more than 65% of the popula- tion is younger than 30. Kosovo’s birth rate re- RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AGE STRU CTURE mains the highest in Europe. 1.5% According to the first census conducted after Ortodox Christian the declaration of independence, in 2011 the 2.2 0.1 85 Catholic Christian permanent population of Kosovo had reached Other 80-84 1,739,825, excluding North Kosovo. Albanians 0.6% 0.1 75-79 No religion form the majority in Kosovo, with over 93% Not stated 70-74 of the total population; significant minorities 65-69 include Ashkali, Bosniaks, Croats, Egyptians, 60-64 Gorani, Roma, Serbs, and Turks. However, the 55-59 2011 Kosovo population census was largely 95.6% 50-54 Muslim boycotted by the Kosovo Serbs, especially in 45-49 North Kosovo, leaving the Serb population un- 40-44 derrepresented. 35-39 30-34 The results of the 2011 census gave the fol- 25-29 lowing religious affiliations for the population 20-24 included in the census: Islam 95.6%, Christian- 15-19 ity 3.7% of which Catholic 2.2% and Orthodox HOUSEHOLDS 10-14 1.5%, other 0.1%, no religion 0.1% and not stat- 5-9 ed 0.6%. 0.1 0-4 85 68 51 34 17 0 0 17 34 51 68 85 Population in thousands Men Age Group Women Population in thousands LIF E EXP ECTA NCY POPULATION GENDER DISTRIBUTION 79 years 4 years 1,,2 ,2 ,00 Women Men Women Men RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AGE STRU CTURE 1.5% Ortodox Christian 2.2 0.1 85 Catholic Christian Other 80-84 0.6% 0.1 75-79 No religion Not stated 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 95.6% 50-54 Muslim 45-49 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 HOUSEHOLDS 10-14 0.1 5-9 0-4 85 68 51 34 17 0 0 17 34 51 68 85 Population in thousands Men Age Group Women Population in thousands Macedonia`s population pyramid is of a stationary type. Countries with this type of pyramid usually have a declining birth rate and a relatively low death rate. This is more common for developed countries. 1210 || 13 11 AT AA TGLANCE A G LANC E GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE LOCA TION HOURS OF SUN RAIN Southeast Europe 20 hours 0 mm Kosovo is landlocked and located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula in South- eastern Europe.