Author(s)

Alesia Balliu

Department of Penal Law, European University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania.

Albania experienced irregular economic growth, which was related to institutional and political changes, which had a considerable influence on population mobility. According to INSTAT despite a dramatic fall in rural poverty to 15% in 2009, unemployment remained high, particularly among young mothers, who retreated from the labor market in large numbers after communist control of the labor market terminated mandatory participation. The methodology used in this study consists merely of the conducted research and data collection. Initially, various research was carried out to understand the changes in population size and the main problems that caused the movement. Around 75% of Albanian emigrants currently call Italy and Greece home, with the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Belgium following closely after. According to research conducted by British government authorities in August 2022, 1727 Albanian entries were recorded in May and June 2022, particularly in comparison to just 898 between 2018 and 2021, implying that Albanians made up between 50 and 60 percent of irregular small boat migrants’ arrivals. The methodology used in this study consists merely of the conducted research and data collection. Initially, various research was carried out to understand the changes in population size and the main problems that caused the movement. The most often claimed motivation was economic, which was frequently tied to political instability. Most male migrants to the UK go alone; however, they may rely on family members and trusted contacts as well as less trusted and frequently unscrupulous agencies along the way. A result of this research paper is that Albanians are migrating because of poverty. Albania is facing a catastrophic demographic decline as a result of reduced birth rates and increased emigration. This research paper aims to address several reasons why Albanian inhabitants seek to move abroad.

Migration, Development, Population, Albania, United Kingdom

Balliu, A. (2023) Depopulation of Albania and Its Movement toward the UK. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 11, 228-242. doi: 10.4236/jss.2023.117016.