On April 29 in Pristina, the research “Trend Analysis 2025” was presented, showing that a negative perception of the political, security, and socio-economic situation continues to dominate among Serbs in Kosovo.
The research conducted by NGO Aktiv, based on a sample of more than 500 respondents, indicates that the majority of citizens believe the situation is not moving in a positive direction, accompanied by a strong sense of stagnation and uncertainty. Although a slight increase in optimism has been recorded compared to previous years, nearly three-quarters of respondents still do not see any progress.
The results also reveal significant differences between the north and Serb-majority municipalities south of the Ibar River. In the north, strong pessimism prevails, particularly regarding security and the political situation, while south of the Ibar attitudes are more nuanced, with a higher share of neutral and moderate assessments.
Key concerns identified include security, political instability, crime and corruption, as well as economic uncertainty and youth emigration. A large percentage of citizens believe that the economic situation has worsened compared to the previous year.
Trust in institutions and political actors remains low. Nearly half of respondents state they do not trust any politician, while trust in institutions, both Kosovo and Serbian, is limited. At the same time, a decline in interest in political developments is observed, indicating growing public apathy.
Regarding international actors, some respondents perceive Russia and China as key protectors of the interests of the Serb community, while the European Union and the United States enjoy significantly lower levels of trust.
The Belgrade–Pristina dialogue remains one of the most polarized issues. Opinions are divided, and a significant number of citizens do not expect negotiations to bring tangible improvements to everyday life.
NGO Aktiv assesses that these findings point to a deep crisis of trust and a lack of a clear perspective for progress within the Serb community, further complicating the political and social dynamics in Kosovo.
“The perception of insecurity and political uncertainty is further deepened by the absence of visible and sustainable institutional solutions, as well as by inconsistent messages coming from different centers of power, Kosovo, Belgrade, and international actors. The slight increase in optimism recorded in 2025 does not represent a substantial shift, but rather a limited reaction to individual developments, without clear confidence in long-term change. The pronounced differences between the north and the south indicate a fragmented reality within the Serb community itself,” NGO Aktiv states.
As emphasized by NGO Aktiv, without strengthening trust in institutions, improving security, and creating a more predictable political framework, there is a risk that current trends of apathy, distrust, and emigration will deepen further.
“This could have long-term consequences for stability and social relations in Kosovo.”
The publication is available in Serbian, Albanian, and English on the NGO Aktiv website.
This paper was published within the framework of the project Increasing the Advocacy Potential of Kosovo Serb Civil Society Organizations, implemented by NGO AKTIV with the financial support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED.) The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of NGO AKTIV and does not necessarily reflect the views of NED.