Correlation Between Emigration, Birth Rate and Reduction of the Number of Students in Kosovo During the Last Decade (2013-2022)

Abstract

The decline in the number of students is a very serious issue in the Republic of Kosovo as a result of numerous economic, social and political challenges. On the other hand, Kosovo in the last decade had a high rate of emigration and a continuous decrease in the birth rate. Thus this study aims to analyze these two factors and identify their impact on the decrease in the number of students. In this scope, this paper attempts to analyze the relationship between the decline in the number of students in Kosovo's schools and demographic factors such as emigration and birth rate. The analysis of the correlation between these variables constitutes an important issue for the planning of education and social policies in Kosovo. To concretize this research, statistical data on the number of students, the number of immigrants and the number of births in Kosovo for the period between 2013-2022 were used. Then the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to prove the degree of connection or impact of emigration and birth rate to the decline in the number of students. The conclusions of the study aim to provide a scientific and data-driven basis for government institutions at the central and local level to design sustainable educational and social policies.

Received: 25 November 2024 / Accepted: 10 February 2025 / Published: 06 March 2025