Immigration has been hailed as “the future profession” for most of the Albanian younger population, which is further deteriorating human capital.

According to a study by the Regional Cooperation Council, some 17% of the youngsters aged 18-24 years old in Albania are not in the education system, nor are they involved in trainings. This is a high percentage compared to their peers throughout Europe.

In Bosnia and Hercegovina only 4.7% of the youth is uneducated or unengaged in trainings. The percentage in Montenegro is 6.7%, in North Macedonia 4.6% and in Serbia 6.2%.

The number of those who abandon education at an early stage has decreased in most Balkan economies in 2021 and remains mostly under the EU average of 9.7%, with Albania being the only exception. The phenomenon is increasingly present compared to 2020.

Even though all Balkan countries continue to improve education programs at high school and university level, adult participation in education and trainings remains low in the entire region.

In Serbia, 4.8% of the population aged 24-65 years old had been part of a training in 2021, which is the highest level of participation in the region. Compared to the EU average (10.8%), it is still low.

The lack of opportunities for adult education and learning affects employment rates and therefore better employment opportunities in the adult population.

The lack of continuous learning hinders sustainable economic growth and the adoption of new development models, technology diffusion and economic development while caring for the environment.