Internal migration in the Albania of the post - 1990s

Erka Caro, University of Groningen
Leo van Wissen, University of Groningen

Albania, a country that, following the collapse of the communist regime in 1990, has been experiencing a long transformation process from a closed society towards an open and democratic one followed by high migration rates and regional disparities taking place in this transformation context. This paper addresses the dynamic of internal movements in Albania during the post communist transition that has accompanied the country these years, focusing mainly on its features and the importance of this phenomenon as a promoter of many demographic changes following the democratization process after 1990s. Moreover, presents the main social and economical consequences following the massive urbanization in some areas and the depopulation of rural areas as a consequence of the regional redistribution of the population. Finally, the paper draws attention to the need for effective migration polices and further research on issues concerning migration especially in the Albanian transformation context.