Abstract
Population statistics for Kosovo show an unusually high share of male deaths (SMD) among all deaths. Women have a very low status in traditional parts of Kosovo - a direct consequence of the so-called Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini.
This set of behavioural rules, practiced in Northern Albania and Kosovo, is strongly associated with a patriarchal culture. According to the code, a woman cannot own immovable property.
Thus, to register the death of a family member at the office for civil registration is less urgent for women than for men. We assume that female deaths are under-registered. (i) A high SMD is more prevalent among the population with primary education, compared to secondary or tertiary education. (ii) More women aged 65+ receive the basic pension than there are resident women in that age group. (iii) Islamic societies report SMDs in 2017-2019 that are markedly lower than SMDs from vital registration.
Registration of a death at the Islamic society is required before the funeral can take place. Other factors could also explain the high SMD: under-registration of deaths among Serbs in Kosovo, violent deaths and smoking among men, and bad physical and mental health among veterans of the war of 1999.