Kosovo, Forgotten But Not Gone
The global recession of 2008 has affected many people and continues to do so in 2013. It is not only those who have lost their jobs but also those entering the work force. Much is spoken of the plight in countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece where the recession has hit hardest. However Kosovo, Europe’s newest country, has greater problems to solve.
The conflict that engulfed the country in the 1990’s culminating in well documented ethnic cleansing, massacres and destruction of 1999 making headline news around the world has been almost forgotten. Overshadowed by events such as the World Trade Centre attacks and the War on Terror, the media has moved on, with the country being left to cope with the long-term aftermath of war.
Today [2013], Kosovo has the youngest population of any EU country with over half being under 25 and an unemployment rate of 75 per cent in this age group. Unable to travel freely to other countries or leave without a visa, they are “trapped” inside Kosovo’s boarders, the ninth poorest country in the world. With ever dwindling international aid and corruption, a destroyed manufacturing industry and poor infrastructure due to lack of investment, there is little for young Kosovars to do apart from drink coffee, meet with friends and fill time aimlessly with ever growing frustration about the current situation.
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