When the citizens of the Balkans were asked what is the biggest economic concern in their country, the majority of them in each country answered the economic situation.
The Balkan Barometer in the 2022 survey has observed that economic difficulties are one of the main concerns of citizens in the Region, but in Albania this concern is more widespread.
59% of respondents in Albania ranked the bad economic situation as the biggest problem, compared to 41% of Bosniaks, 40% of citizens from Kosovo, 57% of Macedonians, 41% of Montenegrins and 46% of Serbs who thought about this way. Unlike the Region, the citizens of Kosovo and Montenegro consider unemployment to be the biggest problem in their economy.
The poor economic situation is a reality even for citizens who have a job in the Balkans. This is due to the fact that the countries of the Region and especially Albania suffer from the lack of productivity in the economy, which has become the reason for low payments.
After the bad economic situation, unemployment is the second biggest economic concern in the countries of the Region, but in Kosovo and Montenegro it is the main concern.
After the difficult economic situation and unemployment, Albanians consider immigration and especially brain drain as the third most important problem.
29% of Albanians think that immigration is worrying for the economic perspective of the country. In other countries of the Region, the percentage of people who consider immigration as a problem for the economy is lower.
In Kosovo and Macedonia, 20% of citizens consider the health system a major economic problem.
Economic development and unemployment remain the two most urgent obstacles in the region, considers the Balkan Barometer. The current economic situation is considered the biggest challenge by 47% of respondents in the Western Balkans.
On the other hand, unemployment is more harmful to the economy, according to 39% of respondents. Corruption ranks third again with 27%, while the share of those who see immigration as a negative trend is increasing (18%, from 13% in 2020).
Belief in the socio-economic benefits of EU membership is predominant in the region, with 60% approving accession.