Kosovo is no longer on the World Bank’s list of “Fragile and conflict-affected states” (FCS), Finance Minister Hekuran Murati announced on Wednesday, hailing it as a major achievement for Kosovan institutions and economy.
“This change marks a significant step forward and confirms Kosovo’s accomplishments as a state, demonstrating institutional stability and economic resilience,” Murati said in a statement.
He emphasized that the decision will positively impact Kosovo’s international image and strengthen investor confidence.
“It is also a testament to the outstanding cooperation with the World Bank and the excellent coordination between domestic institutions—namely the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Kosovo,” he added, thanking all those who contributed to what he called an important milestone.
Outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti also welcomed the development, stating that Kosovo’s economic growth has been “put in the service of democratic progress, social well-being, and institutional stability.”
“This is now recognized by the World Bank as well, to whom we express our gratitude for their support,” Kurti said.
A Shift from Past Assessments
The removal comes after more than 15 years of Kosovo being listed among areas with fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS). A 2021 World Bank report titled “Risk and Resilience Assessment” noted that, despite certain improvements in stability and development, Kosovo still faced critical challenges.
The report, built on the findings of the 2017 Risk and Resilience Assessment, identified three key obstacles: Kosovo’s contested status linked to fragile ethnic relations and geopolitical uncertainty; political and economic disenfranchisement, particularly among youth; and the institutional weakness in the rule of law.
At the same time, it acknowledged signs of societal resilience, including the stabilizing role of the international community, the growing democratic engagement of women and youth, and a growing domestic private sector contributing to economic integration.
The report served as a foundation for the World Bank’s four-year “Country Partnership Framework” with Kosovo and was prepared under the Bank’s “fragility, conflict, and violence” (FCV) approach. It was authored by a World Bank team led by analyst Agon Maliqi, with input from UNDP representatives in Pristina.
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