The Shattered Dreams of a Depopulated Balkans

The wars are over and territorial disputes are being negotiated. But much of the Western Balkans now faces the common challenges of ageing and emigration.

For decades, the history of the Western Balkans was overshadowed by historical conflicts, territorial claims, and political rivalries that dominated news coverage and international discussions. This focus has masked a more fundamental, underlying problem: the demographic challenge. If anything, the region has only become smaller decades after the conflicts, and it continues to shrink. Ageing, low fertility rates, population decline, emigration, and a hesitant attitude toward immigration are the real forces shaping the region’s future. Political disputes may make the headlines, but they are secondary to the demographic challenges. The real adversary is not the neighbouring countries, but the struggle to maintain a strong population.