Population Movements and Migration as a Trend: The Case of Albania

Abstract

Migratory movements are part of the early history of human migration and nowadays there are still many migrations from one country to another. Albanian migration after the 1990s has attracted the attention of many different scholars and academics. According to experts, migration has become a key survival strategy but also constitutes an important feature of the Albanian economy and society. This study will investigate the reasons of migratory movements in Albania, and if the expectations of people who migrate have been met or not. Current problematics migrants might have will be analyzed, thoughts and arguments will be considered, whether they would like to stay in the destination country, or if they will try to move to another country or will return to their country of origin. Based on the data obtained, recommendations will be given to the right institutions in Albania, considering eventual measures, to avoid the permanent departure of qualified and educated individuals or to promote temporary migration, or more specifically, the circular migration. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between employment, economic situation of families, the integration in the destination country, the achievements in the destination country and their influence on the motivation to emigrate, creating a new life away from the country of origin, as well as in the decision to stay temporarily or permanently in the country of destination or to move to a new destination country. The study focused on collecting information from the answers received from an online survey with questions about people motives to migrate, addressed to individuals from Albania who have had as their experience the phenomenon of migration. 308 people participated in the study. The study showed that the main reasons for living their country were the level of employment, the economic level of the families, the integration in the country of destination, the purpose achieved in the country of destination. The study concluded that a high percentage of respondents, mostly in EU, confirmed they have adapted to living in the destination country. They are adapted to the language of the host country, to the culture of the country of destination but without neglecting the cultural elements of the country of origin.