Updated
Overview
Kosovo has 2.5 times the population of Montenegro: 1.58 million people against 623,129 (2025).
Kosovo's economy is 35% larger than Montenegro's, at $12.46B versus $9.23B.
Per person, Montenegro is the wealthier of the two: $14,817 against $7,899 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Kosovo | Montenegro | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $12.46B | $9.23B | 2025 | $11.15B / $8.07B |
| GDP per capita | $7,899 | Higher: $14,817 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.9% | 3.9% | 2025 | 1.6% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 10.9% | 13.6% | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $930 | — / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $757 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.58 million | 623,129 | 2025 | 1.98 million / 599,849 |
| Population growth | -1.1% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | — | 40.0 yrs | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | — | 1.80 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.2 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 51% | 66% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 89% | 89% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 10,908 km² | 13,812 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 144.6/km² | 45.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | — | 2.38 Mt | — / 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | — | 3.7 t | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $165.55M | $150.03M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.5% | 1.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | — | 12,000 | — / 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Kosovo is growing faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 2.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in Kosovo and 3.9% in Montenegro.
People and society
Montenegro is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 51%.
Geography
By land area, Kosovo is 21% smaller than Montenegro: 10,908 km² versus 13,812 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Kosovo is far more densely settled: 145 people per km² against 45.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $165.55M (Kosovo) and $150.03M (Montenegro).
Frequently asked
- Is Kosovo bigger than Montenegro?
- Montenegro is larger by land area. Kosovo covers 10,908 km² while Montenegro covers 13,812 km², so Montenegro is 27% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Kosovo or Montenegro?
- Kosovo has the larger population: 1.58 million versus 623,129 (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Kosovo richer than Montenegro?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Montenegro is richer: $14,817 against $7,899. Total GDP tells a different story: $12.46B for Kosovo versus $9.23B for Montenegro.
- Who spends more on their military, Kosovo or Montenegro?
- Kosovo spends more: $165.55M versus $150.03M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).