According to UNAIDS Kosovo is a low HIV prevalence territory. Although HIV prevalence is low, Kosovo has a particular set of elements that may lead to a rapid spread of the epidemic if not addressed in the early stages. These include a large young population (with 57% estimated under the age of 25); high unemployment (over 50%, mostly affecting young people, with significant underemployment); widespread poverty (49% of population is poor and 15% live in extreme poverty; World Bank Kosovo Poverty Assessment 2005); recent and rapid social changes; increase of drug use (up to 0.3% of the total population); a thriving sex industry, connected with human trafficking and organized crime (number of sex workers is estimated at 1500–2000, IOM 2006); a highly stigmatized MSM population; high mobility of Kosovars to and from Europe and Balkan countries with higher prevalence rates; and a large international community (estimated at approximately 30,000 development, government, and military personnel), including many unaccompanied workers.

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