Quick facts
Kosovo population overview
Kosovo is the 35th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 1,670,403 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.3% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 14 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 19,377 births (11.6 per 1,000 people) and 10,524 deaths (6.3 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 14,031 people. The infant mortality rate is 8.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 984,846 in 1960 to 1,576,876 in 2025 — a change of +60.1%, or +0.7% per year on average. It peaked at 2,197,284 in 1997 and has declined 24.2% since.
Demographically, the median age is 33.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 20% of residents are under 15 and 10.5% are 65 or older (2025); 50.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Pristina. GDP was $12.46B in 2025 — about $7,899 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Kosovo population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,666,273 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,670,403 |
| World rank | #153 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #35 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.020% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.3% |
| Births per year est. | 19,377 |
| Deaths per year est. | 10,524 |
| Net migration per year est. | -14,031 |
| Birth rate | 11.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 8.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 96.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 33.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 78.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 50.9% |
| Capital | Pristina |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $12.46B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $7,899 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Kosovo population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,666,273 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,576,876 | -17,477 | -1.1% |
| 2024 | 1,594,353 | -88,315 | -5.2% |
| 2023 | 1,682,668 | -85,428 | -4.8% |
| 2022 | 1,768,096 | -17,983 | -1% |
| 2021 | 1,786,079 | -4,072 | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 1,790,151 | +1,877 | +0% |
| 2015 | 1,788,274 | -469 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1,788,743 | -29,611 | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 1,818,354 | +15,861 | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 1,802,493 | -335,021 | -3.4% |
| 1995 | 2,137,514 | +163,724 | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 1,973,790 | +177,772 | +1.9% |
| 1985 | 1,796,018 | +191,200 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 1,604,818 | +207,132 | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 1,397,686 | +148,131 | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 1,249,555 | +129,387 | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 1,120,168 | +135,322 | +2.6% |
| 1960 | 984,846 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Kosovo
Population over time
- From 984,846 in 1960 to 1,666,273 today — up 69.2%.
- Population peaked at 2,197,284 in 1997 and is down 24.2% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -1.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.2 years (2024), up 29.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11.9 births vs 6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 5.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 20% of the population is under 15 and 10.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,219.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2014), up 42.3% since 2000.
Urban population (% of total)
- 50.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 19.1% in 1960 (+31.8 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2024.
Economy
- GDP: $12.46B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 97.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $7,899 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 89.4% of people used the internet in 2018.
- Mobile subscriptions: 34.5 per 100 people (2022).
Kosovo in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kosovo in 2026?
As of October 2026, Kosovo has an estimated population of 1,666,273. The United Nations estimated 1,670,403 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Kosovo growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.3% per year — roughly 14 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 19,377 births and 10,524 deaths, with net migration of -14,031.
What is the median age in Kosovo?
The median age is 33.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years. 20% of the population is under 15 and 10.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Kosovo rank by population?
Kosovo is the 153rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 35th in Europe, with 0.020% of the global population.
How has the population of Kosovo changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 984,846; by 2025 it had grown to 1,576,876 (+60.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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LatviaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.