ReEMigration in Albania
ReEMigration in Albania

From Emigration to Remigration and Vice Versa?

Summary/Abstract: Migration processes are amongst the most relevant issues in Albanian geography and society. After the collapse of the socialist system in 1991, the country suffered from out-migration for almost 20 years. Since a couple of years return migration has increased, mainly from Greece. In our study return is interpreted as the response of Albanian emigrants to the economic downturn in the host country. Coming back home after a long period abroad is to a lesser extent an expression of pull-factors in the country of origin. Rather the process is triggered by push-factors for Albanians living and working in neighbouring crisis-affected countries. In migration studies, migrants are often seen as agents of societal change and economic development. In the period of global economic and financial crises we have to scrutinize this general assumption. From a geographical point of view, our study analyses structures, contexts, chances and challenges of current return migration to Albania. One of the biggest problems is the degree of readiness and preparedness of individual as well as institutional actors. In this respect, re-integration of Albanian migrants in the first and especially in the second generation is a crucial task. Another finding is that return migration will increase the country’s existing spatial disparities. If the general situation, the living standard and the labour market in Albania do not improve, another wave of out-migration must be expected.

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