In search of a new life

The exodus is fuelled by widespread poverty, unemployment and stubborn corruption, seven years after Kosovo seceded from Serbia. It has coincided with a period of political turbulence and unrest since an election last summer.

Authorities, however, are at a loss to explain the sudden jump in numbers since September. Migrants suggest smugglers have found safer routes across the border, and word of mouth has triggered an exodus.

In just one month this year 10,000 Kosovars filed for asylum in neighbouring Hungary, compared to 6,000 in the whole of 2013.

Aided by a relaxation of entry rules to former master Serbia, families travel by bus for 15 euros per person to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, then again by bus to the northern town of Subotica, from where they take a taxi to the border and walk across, through a water-filled ditch and then kilometres of forest.

"All these people, all from Kosovo because the economy is poor," said migrant Malsor Sadiku, part of a group of between 40 and 45 Kosovars. "No jobs, no money; we decide to go out from Kosovo and look for a job and better life," he said while making the walk to Asotthalom.

The impact of the migration is acutely felt in the northern Kosovar town of Vushtrri, which faces being devastated. Its population has shrunk seven percent in the space of a few months. More than 400 children have been pulled from the town's schools, 5,000 Kosovo-wide.

Bajram Abazi has lost half his workforce in little over a month, claimed by the sudden surge in emigration.

"It's becoming the culture – everyone else is going, so we should too," said Abazi, owner of the Be Commerce biscuit factory.