DW: New wave of migration from Albania?

The expression “heavy security in its country” appears to be no longer being used for Albanians. With eyes across the border, future foundations are necessarily seeking to push them away from Albania. A new wave of migration alerts the European Asian Support Office data (EASO), while reporting that some 12,000 Albanians have applied for asylum for the first time in one of the European Union countries, only for the January-July 2019 period. In addition, 2,000 other Albanians have recently attempted to gain that status.

Why do Albanians emigrate?

Such a situation has prompted sociologists, psychologists and economic experts to investigate the reasons for this massive evacuation. Economy expert Zef Preci holds the low standard of living, high unemployment rates, as well as low wage rates, according to him as the lowest in the region. Referring to the Institute for Statistics, he adds that the average gross monthly salary for a salary employee during the first quarter of 2019 was 51,531. This evacuation shows their uncertainty about the future”, estimates psychologist Arjana Mucaj, specialising in social psychology. “This is also a mirror of how democracy works in our country, since respect for human rights almost does not exist or is not valued enough”.

For sociologist Guzim Tushi, good reason to leave Albania is also career and education goals. Some are pessimistic about the political situation, continuing conflicts and, of course, lack of a meritocratic system”- adds Tushi.

Youth in Exile

A life away from Albania seems to be the dream of many young Albanians as well. In a poll conducted by the “Friedrich Ebert” (2018/2019) Centre, 40% of respondents have expressed their desire to leave Albania. Germany's favorite destination. Experts agree that the departure of young people from Albania comes from non-cial education and unemployment. Referring to INSTAT data, the official rate of youth unemployment marked 22,2 %s in the first quarter of 2019.

“To demotivate youth evacuation is a good way to adjust the compliance of curriculums and university diplomas with the work market”- says of Den, sociologist Guzim Tushi. ”Mbi all needs to be adjusted to the value and merit system, hit nepotic, party preferences in treating youth”.

Although the departure of young people is not only an Albanian phenomenon, psychologist Mucaj reveals that “has a big change as foreign youth return to their countries to bring about the experience gained, while young Albanians don't even think of it as an option.” That evacuation, Preci, calls a loss of investment that the Albanian state itself has made, and will feel even more in the future. “S along with them and substantial amounts of several hundred million euros have left the country, and only a small percentage of this investment has returned or is expected to return to our country”, says Preci.

What are the social and economic consequences?

Experts agree the situation is serious. Albania is aging rapidly. From the country with the youngest population in Europe, Albania's average age has increased from 27 to 35.4. “The consequences are visible”, sociologist Guzim Tushi says. “Birth Reduction, lowering the number of children per woman from 2.7 to less than 1.6, and expanding pension and social protection requirements has created problems in health care or social care.” adds Tushi.

According to the Statistics Institute, the number of births in the second quarter of 2019 scored a 5.7 % compared to the second quarter 2018. The highest birth rate was in Tirana's district with 2,157 babies, while the lowest number was registered in Gjirokastra County, with 111 babies born.

The consequences of migration and demographic changes also feel in the country's economy. Preci says increasing the number of citizens in retirement age and leaving the workforce exacerbates the country's social and economic status. “The departure of qualified workers, who are also significant contributors to the social security scheme because of their higher wages, also adds to the functioning of the social security scheme itself” the economy expert adds.

With young people leaving abroad, there is an increase in the number of elderly people living alone. According to psychologist Arianna Mucaj, psychological influence on parents is enormous because it is related to their emotional well - being. “They need support both emotionally and financially”, Mucaj says. But according to the mass retirement psychologist, it has a negative impact on people who continue to live in Albania because “a feel incomplete in their country, unappreciated and much more confused by our political class”- Mucaj adds.

Searching for a Solution

For experts, mass migration of the Albanian population will leave behind a society with many shortages. They demand that the political class intervene as soon as possible to prevent this phenomenon, which is taking over qualified persons.

“Should make a labour market assessment on the market's demand for respective professions. When we say quality this should be associated with youth education and employment creation, this even through exchange policies with countries in the region, but also EU”- says DW psychologist Mucaj.

Socialologist Guzim Tushi stresses that strategies are needed to assess the real socioeconomic situation in the country, and then policy is built to stop this process. The” should be the experts in various fields and not politicians who should say their word, what should be done, where we should focus on preventing the mechanical and metaphysic process of aging the population and the late “migration”, Tushi says.

For expert Zef Preci, improving the business climate in the country associated with policies that promote labour and wage productivity are among the main ways to curb economic migration. “I think is equally important is to accelerate the country's economic growth with the aim of an annual increase of over 6%. The goal is absorption of the labour free power”, Preci adds. But until the strategies that experts propose are built is Albania ready to face a new wave of migration? / DW