The Causes and Consequences of Albanian Emigration during Transition: Evidence from Micro Data

This note reports the results of field surveys of individuals and firms in Albania, carried out during 1998. The surveys were designed to analyse the extent of emigration from Albania during the 1990s and its causes and consequences. Our results show that emigrants are motivated mainly by the ease of access to neighbouring countries and by the prospect of high financial returns. Although most emigrants worked illegally and had part-time, low-skilled jobs, the majority found the overall experience positive, and the skills and earnings they acquired abroad have contributed to establishing businesses upon their return. These results have important policy implications for both EU countries and other transition countries in the region.