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Articulation of Demographic Challenges of Ageing and Socio-Economic Contexts in the Western Balkans

About the project

The Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), in partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), assembled a multidisciplinary team to analyse demographic structures, dynamics, and the socio-economic context in the Western Balkans, specifically in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. The research will explore the intersection of demographic aging with socio-economic conditions, climate adaptation, gender equality, and spatial planning. This project aims to produce evidence-based recommendations to challenge existing frameworks, promote policy dialogue, and support sustainable demographic transitions.

Project duration:November 2024 – March 2027
Financed by: Agence Française de Développement (AFD).


Final beneficiaries:

  • State Statistical Offices in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia;
  • Public institutions (ministries, agencies, etc.) in the three countries;
  • Academia in the three countries;
  • United Nations;
  • United Nations Population Fund;
  • International Organization for Migration;
  • Agence Française de Développement;
  • CSOs;
  • Other International organizations working on the respective topics.

Target groups:

  • Data holders;
  • Public institutions in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia;
  • International institutions;
  • CSOs.

Project's contribution

The project is within the framework of the CRPM’s Human Development Program. Within the framework of the project, we have established a team of experts to implement a methodology that will help us understand the population dynamics and its impact on the social protection systems.

Putting together a capable and multidisciplinary team of experts led by the Demography expert, CRPM is planning to articulate demographic challenges of ageing on social economic-context aiming to address critical demographic and territorial changes in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia. The team will apply two interlinked strategies: analyzing population dynamics and examining their impact on socio-economic issues, and exploring models of (de)settlement and territorial planning in relation to natural environments.

In order to achieve this overarching objective, the applicant and co-applicants pursue the following specific objectives:

Specifically, the project contributed to better understanding the interlinks and effects of:

  • Overall population dynamics – understand the causes and future estimations to better prepare for demographic transitions;
  • Territorial planning and (de)settlement patterns;
  • Settlement and depopulation dynamics;
  • Ageing population and climate change;
  • Examination of the impact of ageing and migration on social and economic systems;
  • Gender equality and population dynamics.

Key activities

This phase includes internal coordination and regular updates on project progress and results. It also involves preparation activities for the successful execution of the project.

A comprehensive analysis of aging issues, both globally and in the Western Balkans, will be conducted, examining historical and prospective dimensions. The goal is to trace the evolution of aging populations, focusing on societal values, political systems, economic conditions, and social protection systems. Based on this, the CRPM expert team will produce a historic and prospective report on the Western Balkans region.

This phase will involve formulating hypotheses, collecting data, and presenting key findings and recommendations in three country reports. Each report will follow a standardized methodology for data collection and analysis.

This phase will highlight key findings and recommendations for each research topic, addressing the questions set in the project’s hypothesis. CRPM will organize validation workshops with key stakeholders—such as researchers, policymakers, community leaders, and academics—to collaboratively review data and analyses. The project will conclude with a final conference and a policy brief on the topic.

The Center for Research and Policy Making is a non-for-profit organisation registered under the law for civil organisation by the Central Registry of Macedonia.

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