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Factors such as air pollution, low pensions and labor contracts are becoming new drivers of emigration.
But higher wages, a better life for children and better health services are the three main reasons that are pushing Albanians to emigrate abroad, according to a recent Regional Cooperation Council survey that measured perceptions of safety in the six Western Balkan countries.
The survey revealed a new category of emigrants in older ages. Increasingly, people are leaving the country to join their families, and another category is leaving to benefit from higher pensions in host countries.
In addition to asylum seekers, departures are now increasingly taking place in regular ways, such as employment contracts and family reunification. Nearly 20 percent of those who had stated that they would leave the country had found a job contract.
The easing of employment criteria, especially in Germany, is attracting many young Albanians who now, instead of seeking asylum, apply for and receive work visas. Language requirements have been eased in some low-skill professions such as construction and cleaning, which are now easily filled.
Albanian families who have emigrated before and are now residents in host countries are becoming magnets for attracting other family members to Albania. Family reunification is a large category. Of those who stated that they are planning to leave Albania, 31% chose family reunification as the reason.
But also a category of pensioners are joining their families abroad in order to benefit from a higher pension. Children are pulling their parents, as social security payments for the elderly are much higher than pensions in Albania.
There is increasingly a category of people belonging to the middle class who are fleeing for better educational and health services in other countries.
Another reason that is increasing year by year is pollution. The numerous constructions everywhere in the residential areas and especially in Tirana, have damaged the quality of life. Almost 13% of people who plan to leave list the better quality of air and climate in the host countries as a reason.
The reason to study abroad also applies to 19 percent of people who have planned to leave.
Albania risks being further emptied of its local population compared to other countries in the region.
The survey found that about 28% of Albanians have developed plans to leave. 11% have a plan, but not yet clear, 11% have already developed an emigration plan, while 6% have clear departure deadlines, while 66% do not want to leave.
Of those who want to leave, 67% are using networks with relatives and friends abroad./Monitor
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