Kosovo Voice and Accountability

Kosovo’s Voice and Accountability score has risen sharply over the 26‑year series, moving from a trough of –1.70 in 1996 to an all‑time peak of –0.04 in 2025, where it stands at rank 110 globally. This improvement reflects gradual enhancements in citizens’ ability to express opinions, participate in public affairs and enjoy basic political freedoms, yet the indicator remains just below zero, indicating persistent constraints compared with the best performers. Kosovo’s latest figure of –0.04 is virtually identical to Ecuador’s –0.04 and only marginally lower than Kenya’s –0.03, suggesting that its governance environment is comparable to other lower‑middle‑income states that face similar institutional challenges. The sustained upward trajectory since the late 1990s points to modest but steady reforms in media freedom, civil society space and electoral processes. Continued progress will likely depend on deepening judicial independence, strengthening anti‑corruption mechanisms and expanding inclusive political dialogue, which could push the score into positive territory in the coming years.