Albania and Albanians in 2025: Confronting Key Risks Amid Global Challenges

Albania and Albanians in 2025: Confronting Key Risks Amid Global Challenges

 While the world grapples with armed conflict, extreme weather, and misinformation as the top global risks for 2025, Albania and the Albanian-speaking regions face a distinct set of pressing challenges. According to the Global Risks Report compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the risks that will most likely impact Albania this year include:

  1. Forced Migration
  2. Lack of Employment and/or Talent
  3. Crime and Illegal Economic Activities
  4. Insufficient Public Services and Social Protection
  5. Inequality (Wealth and Income)

Forced Migration: A Persistent Burden

Forced migration, often driven by economic hardship and a lack of opportunities, continues to be one of Albania's most pressing issues. Thousands of Albanians leave the country each year in search of better living conditions and employment abroad. This phenomenon is not isolated to Albania but is a shared challenge across the region, affecting countries like Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. However, for Albania, the continued exodus of skilled workers and professionals poses a significant threat to the nation’s economic and social stability.

Brain Drain and Talent Shortages

One of the consequences of forced migration is the severe shortage of talent and workforce, a challenge that Albania has struggled with for years. The departure of young and educated Albanians has left many sectors—particularly healthcare, education, and technology—struggling to fill critical roles. This talent gap not only stifles economic growth but also erodes the country's capacity to innovate and compete on a regional and global scale.

Rising Crime and Illegal Economic Activities

The report highlights crime and illegal economic activities as another major risk for Albania. Issues such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption continue to tarnish the country's reputation and deter foreign investment. Organized crime networks, often operating across borders, further complicate efforts to establish law and order. Addressing this issue requires stronger institutional frameworks and international cooperation.

Insufficient Public Services and Social Protection

Albania's public services, including healthcare and education, remain underfunded and poorly managed. Many citizens, especially in rural areas, struggle to access essential services, exacerbating inequalities and fueling dissatisfaction. The inadequacy of social protection systems leaves vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and unemployed, at greater risk of poverty and exclusion.

Wealth and Income Inequality

Economic inequality remains one of the most visible and persistent challenges in Albania. Despite some progress in economic development, wealth and income disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as between social classes, continue to widen. These inequalities not only hinder social cohesion but also contribute to political instability and public unrest.

Albania’s Regional Context

The challenges faced by Albania are not unique; they mirror broader issues across the Albanian-speaking regions. In Kosovo, forced migration and unemployment are similarly pressing concerns, while North Macedonia struggles with talent shortages. This shared burden underscores the need for a collaborative regional approach to address these risks.

Looking Ahead: The Stakes for Albania and Albanians

As Albania prepares to navigate 2025, the stakes have never been higher. The compounded effects of forced migration, talent shortages, and socioeconomic inequality threaten to undermine the country’s progress and stability. Addressing these challenges will require bold leadership, strategic investments in education and infrastructure, and policies aimed at retaining talent and fostering inclusive growth.

In the words of Mirek Dusek, Managing Director at WEF: “In a world characterized by deepening divides and mounting risks, global leaders have a choice: foster cooperation and resilience or face greater instability.” For Albania and Albanians, this choice is not merely an option—it is an imperative for the nation’s future.

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