An In-Depth Analysis of the Determinants of Albanian Youth Emigration in the Post-Communist Era (1990-2020)

Abstract

Aim: This study investigates youth emigration from Albania during the period 1990–2020, focusing on migration intentions among university students and the socio-economic factors influencing these intentions. The analysis concentrates on Geography students at the University of Tirana and places their migration expectations in comparative context with existing empirical evidence on Albanian medical students, a group typically associated with high-skilled migration.
Methods: The study combines a historical review of major phases of Albanian emigration with quantitative survey data collected from Bachelor and Master students in Geography at the University of Tirana (n = 354). Data on medical students are not collected directly but are drawn from secondary sources, including published studies and national reports, to support contextual comparison. Quantitative analysis employs descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and chi-square tests to examine relationships between emigration intentions, socio-economic perceptions, field of study, and the role of social networks. Established migration frameworks, including push–pull theory and cumulative causation, guide the interpretation.
Results: The results show that emigration intentions among Geography students are high, with 68–76% reporting plans or strong expectations to migrate. The most frequently cited drivers include economic insecurity, low anticipated wages, limited career prospects, and perceived governance problems. Preferred destination countries are Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. When compared with findings from studies on medical students, the results indicate that high emigration propensity is not limited to internationally competitive professions.
Implications and Limitations: The findings suggest that youth emigration in Albania reflects broader labor-market and institutional constraints rather than discipline-specific opportunity structures alone. However, as the study is based on a single academic institution and self-reported intentions, the results should be interpreted as exploratory and not fully generalizable to all Albanian students.