Youth Brain Drain in the Western Balkans: Shifting Perspectives and Policies

Young people are leaving the Western Balkans in droves. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia are estimated to lose between a quarter and half of their skilled and educated younger citizens in the years to come. This massive youth brain drain jeopardizes the democratic and economic progress, and the prospects for accession to the European Union, of the entire region. Although this issue has long been acknowledged across the six countries, their governments have so far failed to provide consistent and effective policy responses.

What are realistic policy options to tackle youth brain drain in the Western Balkans? How can perspectives and policies be shifted to tap the potential of emerging youth diasporas? What needs to change about public narratives of the issue? How can regional cooperation and the EU accession process help to better manage youth migration to the benefit of the Western Balkans? This event discusses these key questions based on a new GMF ReThink.CEE policy paper that analyzes latest trends of youth brain drain in the region and offers new policy options.

If you have any questions, please contact Alevtina Snihir at asnihir@gmfus.org.

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together.