Despite solid economic growth during the early post-conflict years followed by around 4-4.7 percent during the later years, Kosovo remains the poorest country in Europe. The official data show that 29.7 percent of Kosovans live below the national poverty line, and an estimated 10.2 percent live in extreme poverty. In addition to widespread poverty, Kosovo has persistently high unemployment rates of above 40 percent throughout the last decade. The latest available data shows that the unemployment rate in the first half of 2012 was 35 percent. The rate was significantly higher amongst youth, more precisely 60.2 percent. The 2010 regional unemployment figures show that Mitrovica and Gjakova recorded the highest unemployment rates of 77.6 and 67.8 percent, respectively. On the other hand, Prishtina and Prizren recorded the lowest unemployment rates, with 31.5 and 35.2 percent, respectively . Kosovo has traditionally had a large Diaspora, especially as a result of the war in 1998/99, with roughly 400,000 Kosovans moving abroad since the late 1960s. Around 33 percent and 25 percent of households have a family member abroad and receive remittances, respectively. Migration is considered to be a coping mechanism for households who are in a disadvantaged position regarding employment and income.You can download this policy analysis by clicking here.