Europe and Central Asia

Countries in the Western Balkans and Turkey share a joint European aspiration, the EU agenda driving the domestic policy priorities and reform processes.

Development in the Western Balkans continues to be affected by the legacies from recent conflicts with persisting inter-ethnic tensions within and across borders, and only slowly improving sub-regional cooperation.

While economic growth is expected to remain low, coutries continue to struggle with multiple human development challenges related to skills gaps, high unemployment, social exclusion and widening income inequalities translating into the highest inequality ratios in the region.

Balkan countries also face environmental risks such water scarcity and land degradation.