Changes

*Religion: The majority ethnic Albanian population, as well as the Bosniak, Gorani, and Turkish communities, and some of the Roma/Ashkalia/Egyptian communities are adherents of Islam. The ethnic Serb population is largely Serb Orthodox. Approximately 3% of ethnic Albanians are Roman Catholic.  

*Religion: The majority ethnic Albanian population, as well as the Bosniak, Gorani, and Turkish communities, and some of the Roma/Ashkalia/Egyptian communities are adherents of Islam. The ethnic Serb population is largely Serb Orthodox. Approximately 3% of ethnic Albanians are Roman Catholic.  

*Languages: Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Roma, Turkish (official only in municipality of Prizren), Bosniak, English.  

*Languages: Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Roma, Turkish (official only in municipality of Prizren), Bosniak, English.  

*Education: Adult literacy rates (2004 est.): 94.12% (men 97.30%, women 91.30%). Enrollment (2003 est.)--96% of children ages 7-15 enrolled in primary school.

*Education: Adult literacy rates (2004 est.): 94.12% (men 97.30%, women 91.30%). Enrollment (2003 est.)--96% of children ages 7–15 enrolled in primary school.

*Health: Infant mortality rate--23.7/1000. Total fertility rate, births per woman (2000 est.)--2.7. Life expectancy (2003 est.)--75 years.

*Health: Infant mortality rate—23.7/1000. Total fertility rate, births per woman (2000 est.)--2.7. Life expectancy (2003 est.)--75 years.

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

The Kosovo judicial system started adapting to the new legal charter on June 15, 2008. Supreme Court judges and prosecutors, district court judges, and municipal courts judges already appointed by the SRSG will continue to serve in their posts until the expiry of their appointment. After the transfer of rule of law functions to the Government of Kosovo, the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) will propose to the President of Kosovo candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors.  

The Kosovo judicial system started adapting to the new legal charter on June 15, 2008. Supreme Court judges and prosecutors, district court judges, and municipal courts judges already appointed by the SRSG will continue to serve in their posts until the expiry of their appointment. After the transfer of rule of law functions to the Government of Kosovo, the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) will propose to the President of Kosovo candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors.  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===

*President--Atifete Jahjaga

*President—Atifete Jahjaga

*Prime Minister--Hashim Thaci  

*Prime Minister—Hashim Thaci  

*Foreign Minister--Skender Hyseni

*Foreign Minister—Skender Hyseni

*Ambassador to the United States--TBD

*Ambassador to the United States—TBD

*Ambassador to the United Nations--TBD

*Ambassador to the United Nations—TBD

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Per capita GDP at PPP (2007 est.): $1,755.

*Per capita GDP at PPP (2007 est.): $1,755.

*GDP composition by sector: Agriculture 25%, industry 20%, services 55%.

*GDP composition by sector: Agriculture 25%, industry 20%, services 55%.

*Agriculture: Products--Fruits and vegetables (potatoes, berries), wheat, corn, wine, beef.

*Agriculture: Products—Fruits and vegetables (potatoes, berries), wheat, corn, wine, beef.

*Industry: Mineral mining, energy, telecommunications, forestry, agriculture, metal processing, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances.  

*Industry: Mineral mining, energy, telecommunications, forestry, agriculture, metal processing, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances.  

*Income and employment (2001 est.): 53% of the Kosovo labor force is unemployed; 50.3% of Kosovo's citizens live below the poverty line, and 12% live in extreme poverty.  

*Income and employment (2001 est.): 53% of the Kosovo labor force is unemployed; 50.3% of Kosovo's citizens live below the poverty line, and 12% live in extreme poverty.  

Kosovo has been laying the foundations of a market-oriented economy for the past eight years but is still struggling to develop viable and productive domestic industries. Kosovo has one of the lowest export/import rates in the region. In 2007, Kosovo imported $2.3 billion in goods and services and exported only $151 million, resulting in a trade deficit close to 65% of Kosovo's GDP. This deficit is largely financed through foreign assistance and remittances from Kosovo's diaspora. Kosovo's leading industries are mining, energy, and telecommunications.  

Kosovo has been laying the foundations of a market-oriented economy for the past eight years but is still struggling to develop viable and productive domestic industries. Kosovo has one of the lowest export/import rates in the region. In 2007, Kosovo imported $2.3 billion in goods and services and exported only $151 million, resulting in a trade deficit close to 65% of Kosovo's GDP. This deficit is largely financed through foreign assistance and remittances from Kosovo's diaspora. Kosovo's leading industries are mining, energy, and telecommunications.  

====Agriculture====  

====Agriculture====

Agricultural land comprises 53% of Kosovo's total land area and forests 41%. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, 741,316 acres of land are under cultivation and 444,789 acres are upland pasture. The majority of agricultural land is privately owned (80%), providing subsistence farming for individual households. Although Kosovo's agricultural sector is generally characterized by small farms, low productivity, and the absence of advisory services, agriculture contributes around 25% of Kosovo's overall GDP. Agriculture is the largest employment sector in Kosovo, providing jobs for 25% to 35% of the population, primarily on an informal basis. The agricultural sector also accounts for 16% of total export value and remains an important creator of national wealth, although Kosovo is still an importer of many agricultural products, which accounted for 24% of overall imports ($448.7 million) in 2005. Forestry in Kosovo is minimal; wood-processing and wood products (flooring and furniture) are industry contributors, although not yet in significant numbers.

Agricultural land comprises 53% of Kosovo's total land area and forests 41%. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, 741,316 acres of land are under cultivation and 444,789 acres are upland pasture. The majority of agricultural land is privately owned (80%), providing subsistence farming for individual households. Although Kosovo's agricultural sector is generally characterized by small farms, low productivity, and the absence of advisory services, agriculture contributes around 25% of Kosovo's overall GDP. Agriculture is the largest employment sector in Kosovo, providing jobs for 25% to 35% of the population, primarily on an informal basis. The agricultural sector also accounts for 16% of total export value and remains an important creator of national wealth, although Kosovo is still an importer of many agricultural products, which accounted for 24% of overall imports ($448.7 million) in 2005. Forestry in Kosovo is minimal; wood-processing and wood products (flooring and furniture) are industry contributors, although not yet in significant numbers.

After an intense series of Troika-led negotiations, including a high-level conference in Baden, Austria, the Troika's mandate ended in December without an agreement between the parties. In its final report, the Troika explained that it explored with the parties every realistic option for an agreement, but it was not possible to find a mutually acceptable outcome.  

After an intense series of Troika-led negotiations, including a high-level conference in Baden, Austria, the Troika's mandate ended in December without an agreement between the parties. In its final report, the Troika explained that it explored with the parties every realistic option for an agreement, but it was not possible to find a mutually acceptable outcome.  

====Independence====  

====Independence====

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. In its declaration of independence, Kosovo committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Ahtisaari Plan, to embrace multi-ethnicity as a fundamental principle of good governance, and to welcome a period of international supervision.  

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. In its declaration of independence, Kosovo committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Ahtisaari Plan, to embrace multi-ethnicity as a fundamental principle of good governance, and to welcome a period of international supervision.