The Western Balkan countries have been suffering from labor market shortages in recent years due to high levels of youth emigration, with the vacancies now being filled by immigrants from other countries. But citizens in the six countries of the region have different attitudes towards allowing foreign nationals to work in their economies, as long as there are jobs available.
According to data from the "Security Meter 2025" survey, by the Regional Cooperation Council, an average of 57% of respondents in the region support this policy, 33% are against, while 10% do not have a position on these developments.
The highest support is registered in Albania, where 77% of respondents are in favor of allowing foreign workers. It is followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina with 62% and Kosovo with 61%.
In North Macedonia, 53% of citizens support this approach, a level close to the regional average. Meanwhile, attitudes are significantly more reserved in Serbia and Montenegro, where 44% and 43% of respondents are in favor, respectively.
Montenegro is the only country in the region where opponents outnumber supporters. Some 46% of Montenegrin citizens are against allowing foreign workers, compared to 43% who are in favor.
In Serbia, 36% are against, while 21% did not respond, the highest percentage of undecided or people who refused to answer in the entire region.
In North Macedonia, the level of people without a residence permit is also relatively high, at 14%, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina it reaches 12%. In Kosovo, only 3% did not answer, while in Albania this share is 2%.
The data shows that in most of the Western Balkans there is a majority in favor of immigration for employment reasons, but support is not uniform. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo appear more open, while Montenegro and Serbia are more skeptical.
The differences are related to labor market conditions, labor shortages, immigration rates, and citizens' perceptions of competition for jobs. In economies where businesses are facing a shortage of workers, hiring foreigners is seen more as a solution to filling vacancies./ Monitor
