As part of the ongoing regional project “Articulation of the Demographic Challenges of Aging and the Socio-Economic Context in the Western Balkans”, supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) conducted a series of in-depth research missions in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and participated in a high-level policy dialogue in N. Macedonia.
These engagements mark a critical step in strengthening regional cooperation, generating evidence-based insights, and developing actionable policy recommendations in response to the region’s pressing demographic shifts.
Research Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Call for Coordinated, Data-Driven Responses
From 24 to 26 June 2025, the CRPM team carried out its second research mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with visits to Sarajevo and Banja Luka. The mission included consultations with a wide range of institutions and stakeholders, including:
- Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Federal Office of Statistics
- Ministry of Civil Affairs
- Academy of Sciences of BiH
- Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
- International organizations (IOM, UNDP) and civil society representatives
In Banja Luka, the team met with the Statistical Office of the Republic of Srpska, the Fund of Pension and Disability Insurance, and GEA, a local NGO. Discussions highlighted how aging populations and migration patterns are deeply impacting pension systems, labor markets, healthcare provision, and even environmental sustainability.
Across both entities, participants underscored the importance of accurate, timely data and cross-sectoral coordination in crafting long-term, sustainable responses. Stakeholders acknowledged that demographic change is not just a trend—it is a transformative force requiring bold public policy interventions.
Research Mission in Albania: Understanding National Approaches to Demographic Resilience
In Tirana, the CRPM team continued its fieldwork with a multi-day mission focused on stakeholder engagement and policy alignment. The objective was to assess how Albania is responding to aging, depopulation, and labor market shifts.
Meetings were held with:
- State Social Service
- INSTAT (Institute of Statistics)
- Faculty of Economics
- Albanian Center for Population and Development (ACPD)
- UNFPA Albania
- Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection
- Director of the Social Insurance Institute
- Prominent national experts, including Milva Ekonomi (MP), Zef Preçi (ACER), Ilir Gedeshi (CESS), and Mirela Arqimandriti (GADC)
On day two, the team met with IDRA Research & Consulting to better understand institutional planning mechanisms and data infrastructure.
These discussions revealed a strong commitment within Albanian institutions to build resilience through reform—from improving data quality and demographic forecasting to integrating gender and youth considerations in social policy design.
Skopje Conference: Mainstreaming Gender-Responsive Family Policies
As the regional missions progressed, CRPM also participated in a panel discussion in Skopje hosted by UNFPA North Macedonia and Konekt, dedicated to promoting gender-responsive family policies.
CRPM’s Dr. Goran Miladinov and Program Manager Kristijan Trajkovski presented key insights from the project, alongside policy leaders including the Deputy Minister for Social Policy, Demography, and Youth, Gjoko Velkovski.
The event emphasized the need to:
- Promote the benefits of gender-responsive family policies
- Advocate for legislative improvements to support work-life balance
- Build institutional capacity for addressing demographic challenges through inclusive policy solutions
The panel also featured highlights from the UNFPA State of World Population Report 2025, framing the Western Balkans’ demographic future as both a challenge and an opportunity—if tackled with the right tools and vision.
Looking Ahead
These missions form the backbone of CRPM’s upcoming data-driven analyses and policy recommendations aimed at helping governments in the Western Balkans better prepare for the long-term demographic transformation. With coordinated regional efforts, evidence-based solutions, and the support of development partners like AFD, it is possible to turn demographic risk into opportunity.
Stay tuned for the full research findings, projections, and recommendations to be published in the coming months.
