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A report from the Albanian Institute for International Studies warns that approximately 13 percent of the working-age population in Albania is poised to emigrate in the coming years unless immediate measures are implemented to boost local incomes and reduce the cost of living. The report, based on a national survey conducted in April 2023 and expert analysis, highlights the persistent desire of a significant portion of Albania's young and working-age population to seek better opportunities abroad. Many individuals are actively making plans and preparations to leave the country, either temporarily or permanently.
The report emphasizes the ongoing prevalence of narratives expressing a strong desire to emigrate. The survey reveals that the desire to leave remains notably high, with over two-thirds of working-age residents considering emigration if given the opportunity. Additionally, half of the respondents can envision themselves outside the country within the next five years, and 13 percent have concrete plans to emigrate.
Andi Balla, the author of the report, expresses concern about the high number of people expressing a desire to emigrate, noting that this trend suggests a continuation of emigration from a resident population that has already experienced significant decline and aging over the past three decades.
The report, with input from migration and economic experts, recommends urgent actions by Albanian authorities to provide tangible benefits to those most likely to emigrate, addressing push factors. These actions include reducing the cost of living by removing taxes on basic goods, enhancing competition and productivity in the economy, reducing corruption, and improving governance to swiftly increase wages and enhance the quality of local employment opportunities.
Key findings from the report were presented at a regional conference in late November on "Migration, depopulation, and instability - the silent approaching crisis." Dr. Klaus Fiesinger, the Regional Director for Southeast Europe of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, which funded the survey and report, emphasized the growing attention on migration in the region, where emigration trends are similar in all countries.
Dr. Albert Rakipi, AIIS chairman, underscored that besides the evident economic and social issues stemming from high emigration, the matter has become a general security concern in Albania. He mentioned that the report's recommendations would be forwarded to government bodies for consideration and action.
Experts caution that Albania's persistent high emigration, continuing for over 30 years since the fall of communism, shows no signs of slowing. Instead, it is accelerating, influenced in part by a combination of economic and social challenges, including a massive earthquake in 2019, the disruptions caused by the 2020-2022 pandemic, and the 2022-2023 inflation and economic crisis. Predictions for the country's demographics are grim, with international institutions forecasting a population decrease to 2.1 million people by the end of the century, down 50 percent from its peak of 3.3 million in 1990.