ALBANIA
Extended
Migration Profile
2012-2014
Republic of Albania
Extended Migration Profile
2012-2014
Tirana, 2015
This document presents the Extended Migration Profile of the Republic of Albania during the period 2012-2014.
Drafting and publication of the Profile is based on paragraph 4, article 141 of the Law no. 108/2013 “On foreigners”.
The collected information and data analysis for the drafting of this Profile is made available by the official sources.
All rights are reserved. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the working group set up by
Order of the Minister of Internal Affairs, no. 80 dated 23.02.2015. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
copied or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanic, including photocopy, recording without
permission of the copyright. The profile is published with the support of the International Organisation for Migration.
REPUBLIKA E SHQIPËRISË
Profili i Migracionit
Ministry of Internal Affairs
General Directorate for Border and Migration
Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E FINANCAVE
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E ARSIMIT
DHE SPORTIT
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E PUNËVE
TË JASHTME
R E P U B L I K A
E
R E P U B L I K A
R E P U B L I K A
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
R E P U B L I K A E S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA
E MIRËQENIES
MINISTRIA
E FINANCAVE
SOCIALE DHE
RINISË
E
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E ZHVILLIMIT
EKONOMIK, TREGTISË
DHE SIPËRMARRJES
E
Ministry of Finance
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
B LS H
I KËAN D
EE T
SË
H SQI SI Ë
P Ë R I S Ë
M I N I SRTERPI AU E
R E P U B L I K A
MINISTRIA E PUNËVE
TË JASHTME
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E ZHVILLIMIT
EKONOMIK, TREGTISË
DHE SIPËRMARRJES
Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism,
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E FINANCAVE
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E ARSIMIT
DHE SPORTIT
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E PUNËVE
TË JASHTME
R E P U B L I K A
R E P U B L I K A
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
R E P U B L I K A EE ZHVILLIMIT
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA
EKONOMIK,E
TREGTISË
MINISTRIA
ARSIMIT
DHE
SIPËRMARRJES
DHE
SPORTIT
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
E
v
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
M I N I S T R I A EE
S HFINANCAVE
ËNDETËSISË
MINISTRIA E MIRËQENIES MINISTRIA
SOCIALE DHE RINISË
R E P U B L I K A
E
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E SHËNDETËSISË
Institute of Statistics
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
R E P U B L I K A
MINISTRIA E PUNËVE
TË JASHTME
Republic of Albania
Institute of Statistics
MINISTRIA E ARSIMIT
DHE SPORTIT
Trade and Entrepreneurship
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E MIRËQENIES
SOCIALE DHE RINISË
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E ZHVILLIMIT
EKONOMIK, TREGTISË
DHE SIPËRMARRJES
Ministry of Education and Sports
R E P U B L I K A
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
R E P U B L I K A
MINISTRIA E MIRËQENIES
SOCIALE DHE RINISË
E
S H Q I P Ë R I S Ë
MINISTRIA E SHËNDETËSISË
Ministry of Health
Bank of Albania
National Registration Centre
Albanian Investment Development Agency
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF ACRONYMS
GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
7
8
9
9
11
12
A.
MIGRATION SITUATION AND TRENDS
15
A.1. Emigration of Albanian citizens
15
A.1.1. Migrant stock in proportion to population
15
A.1.2. Current migrant flows
15
A.1.3. Several current characteristics of emigration of Albanian citizens
16
A.1.4. Flow of Albanian asylum-seekers in EU Member States
16
A.1.5. Features of formation and development of Albanian Diaspora
16
A.1.6. The composition of the Albanian Diaspora
17
A.1.7. Map of emigration of Albanian citizens
17
A.1.8. Push and pull factors of emigration of Albanian citizens during 2012-201418
A.1.9. Routes of emigration of Albanian citizens in 2012-2014
20
A.1.10. Dynamics of legalisation of Albanian emigrants in 2012-201420
A.1.11. Internal migration as a “springboard” to external migration18
A.1.12. Intensification of the return of Albanian emigrants in the period 2012-201419
A.1.13. Services of Migration Counters provided to returned emigrants, 2012-201421
A.1.14. Slight increase of remittances in money form25
A.2. Immigration to Albania26
A.2.1 Albania as a host country26
A.2.1.1 Rregular immigrants resident in Albania, 2012-201426
A.2.1.2 Foreign students in Albanian universities, 2012- 2014
28
A.2.1.3 Treatment of asylum-seekers, 2011-201429
A.2.1.4 Naturalisation of foreigners in Albania30
A.2.2 Albania as a transit country30
B.
IMPACT OF MIGRATION ON THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY AND SOCIETY34
B.1. Migration and demographic development34
B.1.1. Population of Albania34
B.1.2. External migration in moderate decrease of population35
B.1.3. Impact of net migration rate on the population of Albania36
B.1.4. Impact of migrant flows structure on the population development37
B.1.5. Impact of emigration on the age dependency ratio and population structure37
B.2.Correlation between emigration and economic development38
B.2.1. Zones of technology and economic development38
B.2.2. Foreign investments38
B.2.2.1 Foreign Investment by states38
B.2.2.2. Foreign Direct Investment by economic activity39
B.2.2.3 Foreign direct investment flows39
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
5
B.2.2.4. Foreign Direct Investment and employment39
B.2.3. Economic growth, welfare and migrant flows39
B.3. Migration and labour market development40
B.3.1. Atypical labour market as supplier of migrant flows40
B.3.2. Features of labour market and migrant flows40
B.3.3. Informality in the labour market41
B.3.4. Impact of employment of foreigners on the labour market41
B.4. Migration and Health42
C.
MIGRATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK45
C.1. Legal framework45
C.1.1. Migration policies expressed in migratory norms objectives45
C.1.2. Changes to the European migration norms45
C.1.3. Constitution of the Republic of Albania and International Instruments45
C.1.4. Improvement of the national migration legislation46
C.1.5. Bilateral or multilateral acts recognised by the Republic of Albania47
C.2. Institutional framework47
C.2.1. Governmental level47
C.2.2. Institutional level47
C.2.2.1. Ministry of Internal Affairs47
C.2.2.2. Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth48
C.2.2.3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs48
C.2.2.4. Ministry of Health48
C.2.2.5. Ministry of Education and Sports49
C.2.2.6. Institute of Statistics49
C.2.2.7. Other institutional stakeholders in the field of migration49
C.3. Policy framework49
C.3.1. Migration policy of Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth49
C.3.2. Migration policy of Ministry of Internal Affairs50
C.3.3. Migration policy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs50
D.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS51
D.1.
Conclusions51
D.2.
Recommendations52
D.2.1.
Recommendation for economic development and improvement
of the welfare system as a condition for discouraging migrant flows52
D.2.2.
Recommendation for incorporating migration in sector and cross-cutting policies53
D.2.3.
Recommendation for improvement of migration statistics as a basis for policy drafting54
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES55
ANNEX 1
STATISTICAL TABLES
56
ANNEX 2 ILLUSTRATION FIGURES
74
6
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
Introduction and acknowledgement
This analytical report presents a follow-up of the process initiated in 2007 by the International Organisation for
Migration (IOM) for the drafting of the first Migration Profile, followed by Migration Profile 2008, 2009 and 2010
prepared by the Albanian Government. After a 2-year vacuum, the first Extended Migration Profile 20131 was
prepared in implementing the legal provisions of Law 108/2013 “On foreigners”. This Profile is drafted based on
the most advanced model and it is prepared by an inter-institutional working group under the direction of the
General Directorate for Border and Migration (GDBM), a sector of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), in cooperation
with other governmental and non-governmental organs that contribute in the field of migration in Albania. In this
context, we express our acknowledgement to all the members and observers of the Working Group for their active
participation and valuable contribution.
Special thanks go to IOM experts for supporting the detailing of the analysis of the report, completing data, providing
the necessary structure in compliance with the standards defined in legal and sub-legal acts which govern this
activity, as well as with the international requirements for the drafting and publication of the migration profile.
1 This Profile was adopted by DCM no. 857 dated 10.12.2014
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
7
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1.
Number of Albanian citizens apprehended in EU countries, 2012-2014
Table 1.2.
Albanian citizens returned by age group and gender in 2012-2014
Table 1.3.
Main countries returning unaccompanied minors
Table 1.4.
Return of minors from the EU countries based on readmission procedure. 2013- 2014
Table 1.5.
Albanian citizens approaching MCs by state of return, 2012, 2013, 2014
Table 1.6.
Albanian returnees registered by MC, by reason of return, 2012, 2013, 2014
Table 1.7.
Albanian returnees registered by the MC by age group, during 2012, 2013, 2014.
Table 1.8.
Albanian returnees by services provided by MC in 2012-2014
Table 1.9.
Educational reintegration of returned emigrants, 2014
Table 1.10.
Foreigners residing in Albania by citizenship 2012,2013,2014
Table 1.11.
Foreigners studying in Albania, 4 main citizenships 2012,2013,2014
Table 1.12.
Foreign asylum-seekers by citizenship
Table 1.13.
Suspension decisions by citizenship
Table 1.14.
Applications to acquire Albanian citizenship, 2012,2013,2014
Table 1.15.
Third country nationals by country of apprehension 2012,2013,2014
Table 1.16.
Third country nationals by citizenship 2012,2013,2014
Table 1.17.
Foreigners refused entry by type of BCP 2012-2014
Table 1.18.
Foreigners refused entry by reason of refusal 2012-2014
Table 2.1.
Population recorded per region, by gender and age group, 2014
Table 2.2.
Distribution of work permits issued to foreigners by Employment Offices
Table 2.3.
Issuing of work permits, by states
Table 2.4.
Prevalence of medical practitioners
Table 2.5.
Prevalence of doctors and nurses by urban-rural areas
8
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1.
Albanian citizens requesting asylum in EU Member States
Figure 1.2.
Residence permits for Albanian citizens, 2013.
Figure 1.3.
Internal migrants by age group and gender, 2014
Figure 1.4.
Crude rate of net internal migration, 2014
Figure 1.5.
Albanian citizens deported from EU countries, 2012-2014
Figure 1.6.
Albanian returnees registered by the MC, 2012-2014
Figure 1.7.
Albanian returnees approaching MC by gender, 2012-2014
Figure 1.8.
Albanian returnees approaching MC by form of return, 2012-2014
Figure 1.9.
Citizens who have followed the courses and who have been certified 2012-2014
Figure 1.10.
Dynamics of remittances of Albanian emigrants, 2003-2014
Figure 1.11.
Foreigners residing in Albania by origin and gender 2012,2013,2014
Figure 1.12.
Foreigners residing in Albania by age group
Figure 1.13.
Foreigners that have been issued residence permit by reason, 2012-2014
Figure 1.14.
Foreigners that have been issued residence permit by gender, 2012-2014
Figure 1.15.
Applications for residence permit, 2012-2014
Figure 1.16.
Foreigners under international protection in Albania 2012, 2013, 2014
Figure 1.17.
Movement of immigrants from third countries in the territory of Albania 2011-2014
Figure 1.18.
Third country nationals in the Closed Reception Centre 2012-2014
Figure 2.1.
Distribution of population registered by regions, 2012-2014
Figure 2.2.
Dynamics of population registered by regions
Figure 2.3.
Demographic indicators in Albania, 2012-2014
Figure 2.4.
Dynamics of migration, 2012-2014 net migration = immigrants - emigrants
Figure 2.5.
Number of emigrants by gender and age, 2014
Figure 2.6.
Population by three main age groups and age dependency ratio, 2012-2014
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
9
LIST OF ACRONYMS
AIDA
Albanian Investment Development Agency
BoA
Bank of Albania
DCR
Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees
DSP
Directorate of State Police
EMP
Extended Migration Profile
EU
European Union
FER
Foreigners Electronic Register
GDBM
General Directorate for Border and Migration
GDCR
General Directorate of Civil Registration
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
INSTAT
Institute of Statistics
IOM
International Organisation for Migration
MC
Migration Counter
MEDTTE
Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship
MES
Ministry of Education and Sports
MF
Ministry of Finance
MFA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MH
Ministry of Health
MIA
Ministry of Internal Affairs
MSWY
Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth
NCR
National Civil Register
NES
National Employment Service
NRC
National Registration Centre
RoA
Republic of Albania
TIMS
Total Information Management System
UN
United Nations
10
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION
M ap 1
20
MONTENEGRO
21
KOSOVO
Shkodra
42
42
Peak Korab
Shengjin
MACEDONIA
TIRANA
Durres
41
Adriatic
Sea
Elbasan
Korça
Vlora
ITALY
Strait of
Otranto
40
41
GREECE 40
Saranda
Ionian Sea
20
Capital:
Tirana
Surface area:
Total: 28,748 sq km (land: 27,398 sq km, water: 1,350 sq km)
Border:
Total length: 1079 km (land: 717 km; sea: 362 km)
Border countries: Montenegro 151 km, Kosovo 112 km, Macedonia 172 km, Greece 282 km
Population:
The population recorded according to the Civil Register (Albanian Citizens): 4,329,326;
Resident population according to INSTAT (annual average population 2014): 2,894,475;
Density: 100.7 residents/sq km
Language:
Albanian is the official language of Albania. Greek, Serbo-Croatian and Macedonian language
in addition to Albanian is spoken in the territories inhabited by minorities.
President:
Bujar Nishani
Prime Minister:
Edi Rama
Government:
Parliamentary Republic
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
11
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Extended Migration Profile (EMP) of the Republic of Albania reflects the migration development in the country
during the period 2012-2014. Recommendations from this publication will serve to improve good-governance
in the country with respect to migration and also strengthen the link between migration and growth in Albania.
Migration, as a critical global, national, European, and regional problem, is very critical when concerning
Albania’s relations with neighboring countries, EU Member States as well as other countries in general relations
with neighbouring countries, EU Member States as well as other countries in general. It is also a serious
challenge in the context of Albania’s efforts towards gaining European Union membership. Generally, Albania
is still considered a country of origin as well as a transit, and destination country for economic immigrants,
asylum-seekers and refugees. Migration in the Albanian context is mostly characterised by the emigration of
the local population internationally and less so by immigration of foreigners in the country. The net migration
rate marked a slight increase from 52.3 thousand in 2012 to 46.5 thousand in 2014, mostly due to the
decrease of the flow of emigrants and the increase experienced in the number of returning migrants, . .
The majority of Albanian emigrants are resident in Greece, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland,
France, USA and Canada. Around 800 thousand Albanian emigrants resided in Greece in 2014, compared to
503 thousand residing in Italy. According to the National Civil Register, the population of Albania during 2011
was approx. 4.2 million inhabitants. According to the 2011 Census, the resident population in Albania was
2,831,741 inhabitants. The difference between the figure of the National Civil Register and 2011 Census may
be considered indirectly as the number of Albanian emigrants in 2011. In Albania there were 1. 4 -1. 5 million
foreign emigrants in 2011, or 33 percent of the country’s population. The visa liberalisation regime with EU
member states (Schengen area) by the end of 2010 influenced the decrease of Albanian irregular emigration
to EU member states because it encouraged free and regular movement in Schengen area states. However,
emigration of Albanian citizens continued even after 2010. It is worth mentioning that while emigration flow of
Albanian citizens has been at a moderate level, the flow of those Albanian citizens requesting asylum in EU
member states increased during 2014.
Among the main factors of emigration of Albanian citizens, those of an economic nature, including
unemployment and poverty, are the prevailing ones. During 2013, the Albanian economy demonstrated real
growth by 1.4% while in 2014, the economy growth was 1.9%. Moreover, the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) per capita in 2013 amounted to 471 thousand ALL. The impact of economic growth on the welfare
system and consequently in generating migrant flows is linked with the contribution of the branches of
economy in the GDP and employment. During 2013 the main contributor of economic growth consisted in
services (44.7%), agriculture (19%), construction (10.5%) and industry (12.5%). Meanwhile, the contribution of
sectors in employment has been disproportional, especially in the case of agriculture and services. Services
absorb a small share of formal work force, meanwhile they are among the sectors of highest informality.
Unemployment, informality in the economy and the labour market, are supplying migration flows. By the end
of 2014, unemployment was almost 17.3%, while youth unemployment (age group 15-29 years of age) was
32.5%. The increase of the unemployment rate is not necessarily linked to the increase in the number of
unemployed; instead it is linked to INSTAT efforts for discovery of covert unemployment, which before 2014
was not calculated in real terms. The main types of regular emigration of Albanian citizens are currently
categorized in three units: i) emigration based on employment contracts; ii) emigration in the form of family
unification of parents and children of emigrants; iii) emigration for study purposes.
The main routes mostly used by irregular emigration are: i) land border between Albania and Greece and
Albania and Montenegro, which still operate as routes towards the Schengen area respectively through
12
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
Greece, Croatia and Slovenia by the Albanian citizens who have been banned entry in the Schengen area; ii)
extension of stay in European states upon expiry of the legal time limits of stay for 90 days; iii) application for
asylum in EU countries based on no significant reason; iv) abandonment of children in destination countries
and return of their parents in Albania, a phenomenon which has increased the number of unaccompanied
minor emigrants; v) use of the opportunity to enter freely in the Schengen area as a springboard for irregular
emigration to the United Kingdom, USA and Canada, with forged documents via airlines.
The Albanian community abroad currently consists of five main groups: i) economic emigrants; ii) family
members of economic emigrants; iii) students; iv) asylum-seekers and refugees; v) unaccompanied children.
The biggest Diaspora groups consist of economic emigrants, family members of economic emigrants and
students, even though there is no accurate legal definition of Diaspora.
Albania is still strongly dependent on remittances of emigrants. As of 2007, remittances of emigrants reached
the highest level, 953 million Euro, and then fall in 2013 and reach the lowest amount, 544 million EUR.
During 2014, there was a slight increase to 592 million EUR, which is indicative of the fact that the Albanian
emigrant’s position in the host countries’ labour markets is beginning improvement. The intensification of the
return of Albanian emigrants during the period 2012-2014 is closely linked, except for the crisis in the host
countries, with the consistent increase of flow of irregular emigrants from Albania. The typologies of returned
Albanian emigrants during 2014 were: i) voluntary return of economic emigrants; ii) return of economic
emigrants because of crisis in the main host countries, Greece and Italy; iii) return of minors, accompanied
or unaccompanied by their parents. Most of the economic emigrants have been returned from Greece and
Italy. Only some of the returned Albanian citizens have approached the Migration Counters (MC). These are
structures established near the public offices for employment to assist returned Albanian citizens in order to
facilitate their re-integration upon return in the country. There are 36 MC are set up throughout the country
and during the last three years, 3,541 returned Albanian citizens have approached the MC. As of 2012, the
number of Albanian citizens approaching the Migration Counters has decreased.
As a destination country, Albania has recently seen the form of transit, regular and irregular immigration. Transit
immigration has marked an increase in 2012, 2013 and 2013 emerging in two forms: i) regular entry and
efforts to move irregularly through the territory of the Republic of Albania to other countries of the region, with
the EU Member States being the final destination (mostly citizens from Afghanistan, Syria, Tunisia, Morocco,
Alger, Palestine etc); ii) in less frequent cases, regular entry and then transit to other countries (mostly Turkish
and Kosovo citizens). Irregular immigration in 2012, 2013 and 2014 was mainly developed through regular
entry and then irregular stay. Irregular immigration is mainly developed for purposes of employment, family
unification, study, humanitarian and religious activities. In 2012, 2013 and 2014 there has been an increase
in the number of regular immigrants for study purposes and also a decrease of the number of immigrants
involved in religious and humanitarian activities. In 2014, 9,091 foreigners representing 0.3 % of the overall
population resided in the Republic of Albania and only 140 foreigners were naturalised. Consequently, the total
number of naturalised foreigners in Albania amounted to 845 persons. Immigration of foreign work force does
not risk the job positions of the Albanian population because the number of foreign workers is quite modest.
The number of asylum-seekers in the Republic of Albania during 2012-2014 increased significantly: from 16
to 409. This increase occurred mainly due to the coming of Iranian citizens of Ashraf camp coming based on
the governmental agreement. 281 Iranian citizens moved to Albania during 2014. Meanwhile, armed conflicts
in the Northern African and Arab countries, as of 2010 and onwards, brought forth new immigration waves,
refugees and asylum-seekers from these countries to Albania mainly as a transit country, with the European
Union Member States as their final destination.
Internal and international migration continues to influence the decrease and ageing of the population, in
addition to the decrease of the birth rate and increase of life expectancy. In 2014, the youth (aged 0-14
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
13
years) occupied 19.7% of the population; the working age population (aged 15-64 years) occupied two thirds
(68.8%) while the population aged above 65 years occupied 12% of the country population. The population
decrease registered in the country during the last decades is observed even during the period 2012-2014,
where the population has decreased by 6.000 inhabitants. However in the last two years, there have been
recorded several stabilisation trends. The population rate increased from -0.12 % in 2012 reached -0.10 % in
2014. This happened as a result of a slight increase of the natural increase, as a consequence of the increase
of the number of births.
From the migration influence point of view, it must be emphasised that the labour market in Albania is still
vulnerable and affects the on-going migrant flows from Albania to the most developed labour markets of other
countries. Some features of this vulnerability are: high level of youth unemployment; high level of permanent
unemployment; labour market remains refractory and non-elastic even when regarding the educated youth;
unequal distribution of unemployment; high unemployment in villages and agriculture; labour market informality
etc. Some of these features have become moderate, but the influence of some of them has been present
even during 2014 and it has encouraged migrant flows. The age of the working population increases at a
faster pace when compared to the labour force number and that of employed, thus constituting a challenge
for the labour market. The increase of the pace of employment has failed to keep up with the population
increase. Albania has a very high level of labour market informality. Informal employment is linked to low
income and poverty and it encourages migrant flows. The government is giving priority to developing of zones
of technology and economic development, promoting foreign direct investment and supporting foreign joint
ventures. Such priorities assist in opening new jobs and discouraging migration flows from Albania.
Improvement in the health system during the last two years has had an effect on the discouragement of
migration flows. The approach is as follows: by increasing the access to health and medical care services,
through measures taken under universal health coverage; providing incentives to medical staff for best health
coverage in remote, rural and mountainous areas; a decrease in price and an increase in the quality of
medications; harmonisation of health policies with other policies, especially employment, social, educational,
food, agricultural, sports policies, etc.
From the development of the legal and political framework point of view, during the period 2012-2014, several
legal acts have been drafted aimed at improving the response to migration challenges. The new law on
foreigners and several Decisions of the Council of Ministers in implementing the law were adopted in 2013;
they define the main fields of migration management in compliance with international standards and the
EU legal framework (acquis communautaire). In addition, the Republic of Albania has a good institutional
framework in the field of migration management. However, there is a need for further improvement of the
political framework that would enable better protection for emigrants and immigrants.
This report consists of four parts. Part A makes an analysis of the situation and migration trends in Albania;
Part B deals with the impact of migration on the Albanian economy and society; Part C describes the legal,
political and institutional framework for migration management; and part D summarises the main conclusions
and recommendations for policy improvement and good-governance of migration in Albania.
14
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
A. MIGRATION SITUATION AND TRENDS
A.1. Emigration of Albanian citizens
A.1.1. Migrant stock in proportion to population
Based on the National Civil Register, it results that the population of Albania in 2011was around 4.2 million
inhabitants. The resident population in Albania, according to the 2011 Census, was 2.831.741 inhabitants.2 The
difference between the figure of the National Civil Register and 2011 Census may be considered indirectly as the
number of Albanian emigrants in 2011. In Albania there were 1.4 - 1. 5 million foreign emigrants in 2011, or 33
percent of the country population. This number is higher than half the labour force of the country.3
A.1.2. Current migrant flows
After the nineties, Albanians have been involved in three migration cycles which may be considered intensive,
irregular and evolving4: i) winter-spring 1990-1991 when the massive emigration to Italy and Greece occurred;
ii) August 1991 when the massive emigration to Italy occurred; iii) spring 1997 when massive emigration to EU
member states occurred because of high insecurity in the country. These three cycles were produced from the
combined actions of push economic and political factors. In the first two cycles, Albanian citizens emigrated to
escape the collapsing totalitarian regime. In the third cycle they escaped chaos and brink of civil war threatening
the country. Opening of doors for Kosovo refugees in European countries in 1999 resulted in a change of “tactics”
for Albanian emigrants to emigrate using the Kosovo identity. However, this form of migration was minimised by
several host countries. In addition to these cycles, flows to neighbouring countries (Greece, Italy), as well as other
distant countries (the U.S. and Canada). After 2000, there was a decrease of irregular migrant flows from Albania
observed because of improvement of the economic climate in the country, family unification process, promotion of
formal routes of migration (through bilateral employment agreements with some EUMS etc.) and also tightening of
measures against regular migration by Albanian and EUMS border authorities. However forms of irregular migration
from Albania to other countries, mainly to EUMS are on-going and this fact is confirmed even by the number of
forced returns on annual basis. 46 thousand persons are recorded to have left Albania during 2014.5 A.1.3. Several current characteristics of the emigration of Albanian citizens
Similarly to other Balkan countries, Albania still has a high level of family emigration, women and children emigration,
favoured by cultural, linguistic and geographic vicinity, low emigration cost to neighbouring countries including Italy
and Greece and also legal opportunities for family unification in the main host countries of emigration.
Albania has produced, on frequent basis, flows of emigration of unaccompanied minors. Such flows have been
increasing during the last years. In December 2014, the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies6 informed that
804 unaccompanied Albanian minors were found in the Italian territory. According to IOM Tirana, other EUMS including
United Kingdom, France, Germany, etc. report as well an increase of the presence of unaccompanied minors from
Albania, staying irregularly or applying for asylum in these countries. Eurostat statistics about the cases of asylum
requests by unaccompanied minors indicate a considerable increase from 2010 and during the period 2012-2014.
The high level of emigration of skilled persons is another characteristic of Albanian migration.
Upon the start of the new millennium, migration patterns and attitude of Albanians towards them have changed
because of stringent policies of host countries and the intensification of Albania’s fight against irregular migration.
2 INSTAT, Tirana, 2012
3 Barjaba, K. (2013) Kurthet e papunësisë, Tirana: UET Press
4 Barjaba, K & Barjaba, J. Embracing Emigration: The Migration-Development Nexus in Albania, in Migration Information Source, Online
Journal of Migration Policy Institute, Washington DC, 10 September 2015
5 INSTAT, Tirana, 2015
6 Rapporto Nazionale, Minori Stranieri non-Accompagniati, Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali, Roma, 31 Dicembre 2014
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
15
During 2012-2014, which corresponds even to the negative impact of economic crisis in some EU countries,
return of emigrants, especially from Greece and Italy, increased. The Albanian government provided the necessary
assistance to returned emigrants through the establishment of the national network of Migration Counters.
Armed conflicts in the Northern African countries and Arab countries, as of 2010 and onwards, have been followed
by new immigration waves making Albania a transit country, and the EU Member States their final destination.
However, Albania remains a less-preferred country for international protection (as asylum-seekers/refugees).
A.1.4. Flow of Albanian asylum-seekers in EU Member States
While the flow of Albanian irregular emigrants has been considerably reduced, the flow of Albanian citizens requesting
asylum in EU member states has been increasing during the last years. The figure below presents their requests
for asylum in these countries during the period 2012-2014.
Figure 1.1. Albanian citizens requesting asylum in EU Member States, 2012, 2013, 2014
15000
10000
11040
5000
12222
7336
0
2012
2013
2014
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015 (processed data)
Main countries where Albanian citizens have applied for asylum are Germany, Greece, Sweden, France, United
Kingdom and Belgium. The main reasons for asylum are economic reasons, thus resulting in considerable number
of cases of refused asylum requests by EUMS.
A.1.5. Features of formation and development of Albanian Diaspora
In the absence of an official definition of the Albanian diaspora, Albanian communities abroad are mostly defined
based on the IOM definition of diaspora which is defined as follows: “individuals and members of networks,
associations and communities, who have left their country of origin, but maintain links with their homeland. This
concept covers more settled expatriate communities, migrant workers based abroad temporarily, expatriates with
the nationality of the host country, dual nationals, and second-/third- generation migrants”7.
The time periods of the formation of the Albanian Diaspora change. The so-called “Old Diaspora” consists of emigrants
who have emigrated before 1990, while the “New Diaspora” consists of emigrants who have emigrated after these
years. The old diaspora is mainly settled in USA, Latin America, Australia, Turkey and some western European
countries, while the new diaspora is settled in Greece, Italy, USA, England etc. and less in old diaspora countries.
A.1.6. The composition of the Albanian Diaspora
The Albanian Diaspora currently consists of five main groups: i) economic emigrants; ii) family members of economic
emigrants; iii) students; iv) asylum-seekers and refugees; v) unaccompanied children. The biggest groups of
Diaspora consist of economic emigrants, family members of economic emigrants and students. During 2014, there
was an increasing flow of asylum-seekers to Germany.
A.1.7. Map of the emigration of Albanian citizens
The map of the emigration of Albanian citizens was created from the spontaneous waves of emigration in the
nineties. The majority of emigrants were settled in Italy and Greece. 459.390 Albanian emigrants were recorded
7
16
IOM, 2011, pg.28, Glossary on Migration 2nd Edition.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
in Greece in 20088, while on 1 January 2014 the total number of immigrants was 1.246.500. Given the fact that
Albanians constitute 65% of emigrants, it may be concluded that at this time there were 800 thousand recorded
Albanian emigrants in Greece.9 Increase of the number of emigrants during 2008-2014 was as a result of new
flows from Albania and also on-going legalisation of emigrants staying irregularly in Greece. In Italy, by the end of
2014 there were 503 thousand Albanian emigrants.10 Some of the Albanian emigrants are settled even in other EU
countries including United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France and Canada and USA. Statistical data about
emigrants in these countries vary because of lack of accuracy of the sources of information, however, the number
is at least 200 thousand.11
A.1.8. Push and pull factors of emigration of Albanian citizens during 2012-2014
Emigration is a product of push and pull factors. Push, in comparison to pull factors have prevailed in the case
of emigration of Albanian citizens. Albanian citizen consider emigration to be a solution, rather than a choice.
Even though push factors due differ, economic factors prevail. Unemployment remains the main push factor that
supplies migration flows. Unemployment by the end of 2014 was around 17.3%. Increase of unemployment rate is
not necessarily linked to the increase in the number of unemployed; instead it is a correlation to INSTAT efforts to
discover hidden unemployment, which before 2014, was not calculated in real terms. The pressure of push factors
is still strong in the production of migrant flows.
Even though push factors are dominant, several pull factors continue to be acting. Education may be one of
them, and the related indication is the high number of Albanian students studying in foreign universities: Italian,
Greek, American, German, Dutch etc. Another pull factor is the aspiration of skilled Albanian citizens to build their
professional career in western countries. Among the pull factors, support of young emigrants or potential from
exiting emigrants their families in host countries may be mentioned.
A.1.9. Routes of emigration of Albanian citizens in 2012-2014
Contemporary emigration of Albanians started as irregular emigration. Meanwhile, the signing of bilateral employment
agreements of Albanian citizens in Greece (1996) and Italy (1997), legal opportunities for family unification and study
opportunities of Albanian youth in European and Northern American Universities paved the way to regular emigration
of Albanian citizens to these countries. Emigration of Albanians may be identified during two time periods: 19992010 and after 2010 when Albanians could travel freely to the Schengen Area.
Currently main ways of irregular emigration include: i) land border between Albania and Greece and Montenegro,
which still operate as routes to the Schengen area though Greece, Croatia and Slovenia for the Albanian citizens
who have been banned entry in the Schengen area; ii) extension of stay in European states upon expiry of the
legal time limits of stay for 90 days; iii) application for asylum in EU countries based on no significant reason;
iv) abandonment of children in host countries and return of their parents in Albania, a phenomenon which has
increased the number of unaccompanied minors emigrants; v) use of possibility to enter freely in the Schengen area
and use it as a springboard for irregular emigration to the United Kingdom, USA and Canada.
Most obvious forms of regular emigration of Albanian citizens are currently three: i) emigration based on employment
contracts; ii) emigration in the form of family unification of parents and children of emigrants; iii) emigration for study purposes.
A.1.10. Dynamics of legalisation of Albanian emigrants in 2012-2014
During the last years, the dynamics of legalisation of Albanian emigrants in EU countries has been moderate
because most of them have been legalised during the last decade. In 2013, Italy and Greece were the two countries
with the highest number of residence permits issued to Albanian citizens, 502.361 and 340.841 residence permits
respectively. They were followed by a considerable difference by Belgium 4533, France 3761, Spain 1337, Austria
8 Mediterranean Migration Observatory& Migration and Migration Policy in Greece. Critical Review and Policy Recommendations. Anna
Triandafyllidou. Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
9 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Foreign-born_population_ by_ country_of_birth, _1 _ January_2014_
(%C2%B9)_YB15.png
10 http://www.stranieriinitalia.it/attualita-5.3. milioni_di_immigrati_regolari_in_italia aumentano_ nonostante_ la_ crisi 19305.html
11 Centre for Migration Studies, Tirana 2014
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
17
1372 and Switzerland 1242 residence permits. The number of residence permits for Albanian citizens increased in
Sweden during the last three years. A slight increase is observed even in Greece and Italy. The graph below shows
the number of residence permits for Albanian citizens in the main host European countries in 2013.12
Figure 1.2. Residence permits for Albanian citizens, 2013
Series1
Series1
Austria, 1.372 Switzerland , 1.242
Series1
Belgium , 4.533
Series1
Spain 1.337
Greece, 340.841
Series1
Italy, 502.361
France, 3.761
Burimi: http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/09/02/global-migrant-stocks/
A.1.11. Internal migration as a “springboard” to external migration
Changes of regional population, population increase or decrease are affected not only by two main components
of population change (natural increase and net migration), but also internal population movement. During 2014,
around 32 thousand inhabitants moved within the country, by changing the region, town or village of their usual
residence. Generally, internal migrants belong to the category of youth. More than 50% of internal migrants belong
to the group age 15-34, while the group age 20-24 constitutes some 20 % of internal migrants. The average age of
internal migrants, female, is 29 years of age, whereas among males, 33 years of age. Women tend to migrate more
within the country, compared to men, therefore they constitute 58% of internal migrants.13 Demographic features of
internal migrants are given in the figure below.
Figure 1.3. Internal migrants by age group and gender, 2014
80-84
70-74
60-64
50-54
Female
40-44
Male
30-34
20-24
10-14
0-4
5.000
4.000
3.000
2.000
1.000
0
1.000
Source: General Directorate of Civil Registration, Tirana 2015
12 There is no data for 2014.
13 General Directorate of Civil Registration, Tirana 2014
18
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2.000
3.000
4.000
5.000
Considering the crude rate of net internal migration, i.e. the ratio of difference between entry and exit from each
region, with the respective population, expressed per one thousand inhabitants, it is observed that in the region of
Dibra, Berat and Kukes, the crude rate of net migration is very low. Meanwhile, only the region of Tirana and Durres
have positive crude rates of net migration. Thus, in general terms, 10 regions experience more exit flows compared
to entry flows of population and consequently, they have a negative net internal migration rate; in the region of
Tirana and Durres, the entry flows outnumber the exit flows, making them the most preferred regions as destination
for internal migrants. Crude rates of net internal migration are given in the figure below.
Figure 1.4. Crude rate of net internal migration, 2014
-15
-10
-5
0
5
Tiranë
Durrës
Elbasan
Vlorë
Lezhë
Shkodër
Fier
Korçë
Gjirokastër
Kukës
Berat
Dibër
10
15
Crude rates of net
internal migration
Source: General Directorate of Civil Registration, Tirana 2015
During 2012-2014 the urban population has been increasing. Most of the individuals who have changed their
residence during the last years have moved to urban areas, mainly Tirana or its surrounding area.
A.1.12. Intensification of the return of Albanian emigrants in the period 2012-2014
The intensification of the return of Albanian emigrants after 1999 is linked not only with the economic crisis in the
host countries, but also with the consistent increase of flow of irregular emigrants from Albania. During 2012-2014,
according to EUROSTAT, there is an increasing trend of Albanian citizens staying irregularly in the EU countries.
According to INSTAT and IOM Tirana,14 133 544 Albanian emigrants above 18 years of age have been returned
to Albania during the period 2009-2013, of that number , 98 414 are males and 35 130 are females. Return flows
have increased especially after 2009, while most returns occurred in 2012 and 2013 (53.4 percent). Returnees,
where there is a dominance of voluntary return (94%) come from Greece, 70.8%, followed by Italy with 23.7% and
other countries including United Kingdom, Germany etc. Albanian emigrants have returned because of the global
financial crises of 2009 which hit the labour market in the main countries of destination for the Albanian migrants.
The typology of Albanian emigrants returned during 2014 consisted of three forms: i) voluntary return of economic
emigrants; ii) return of economic emigrants because of crisis in the host countries, Italy and Greece; iii) return of
minors, whether accompanied or not. The majority of emigrants who have been returned in four above mentioned
forms come from Greece and Italy.
Concerning forced return, according to official resources,15 during 2014, a total of 1928 return operations of Albanian
citizens from EU countries and neighbouring countries took place; 1510 from Greece, 288 from Macedonia, 32
from Montenegro, 73 from France, 13 from United Kingdom, 5 from Sweden, 2 from Belgium, 2 from Luxembourg,
1 from Germany, 1 from Spain, 1 from Switzerland. 21658 Albanian citizens or 2208 more than in 2013 were
repatriated during 2014. The majority of the returnees, 71% of them have been returned from Greece.
14 Return migration and re-integration in Albania 2013, INSTAT and International Organisation for Migration, 2014;
15 General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015;
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
19
Table 1.1. Number of Albanian citizens apprehended in EU countries, 2012-2014
Number/Year
Number of Albanian citizens apprehended in EU countries
2012
18.610
2013
27.035
2014
30.430
Number of Albanian citizens who have been refused entry in EU
13.195
12.980
14.275
Number of Albanian citizens who have been asked to leave EU
16.160
20.725
29.665
Source: EUROSTAT, 2015
The table below shows the number of Albanian citizens deported from EU countries during 2012-2014.
Figure 1.5. Albanian citizens deported from EU countries, 2012-2014
16000
25000
Greece
14000
20000
21657
12000
Italy
19449
10000
United Kingdom
15000
14928
8000
Germany
10000
6000
Belgium
4000
5000
France
2000
0
2012
2013
Total
0
2014
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
The table below shows the number of Albanian citizens returned from EU countries during the last years, by age
group.
Table 1.2. Albanian citizens returned by age group in 2012-2014
Year
Total
2.012
2.013
2.014
14.762
20.751
20.376
Total
14.097
20.461
19.354
Male
under 18 years of age
495
535
397
Total
665
290
1.022
Female
under 18 years of age
46
56
78
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
Thus, around 96 % of returned emigrants in 2012 were males compared to 4% females, while in 2014 males
constituted 95% of returnees. Return of minors is conducted without readmission procedures and results in the as
the following:
Table 1.3. Main countries returning unaccompanied minors, 2013-2014
Year
Greece
France
Great Britain
Switzerland
Sweden
Germany
Total
2.013
803
34
25
17
14
10
972
Source: TIMS System in the State Police Directorate, Tirana, 2015
20
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2.014
611
92
46
38
29
28
907
Number of unaccompanied minors returned from EU countries based on readmission procedure is given in the
table below:
Table 1.4. Return of minors from the EU countries based on readmission procedure, 2014
State
2.014
2.014
Greece
3 requests
3 readmitted
France
4 requests
3 readmitted
Sweden
6 requests
2 readmitted
Italy
1 request
1 readmitted
Total
14 requests
9 readmitted
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
During 2013, there has been no readmission request for unaccompanied minors.
During 2014, the number of unaccompanied minors requesting asylum increased. In order to prevent this
phenomenon, and ensure reception and social treatment after they have return to their families, special normative
acts have been adopted including the Internal Order of the Director of State Police no. 643 dated 17.12.2013 “On
taking of measures for readmission to Albania of unaccompanied minors, verification and initiation of investigation
in case the parents or legal guardians do not meet the legal obligations”; Joint Order of Director of State Police and
State Social Service no. 332/3 dated 07/03/2014 “On taking of measures for reception and social treatment of
unaccompanied minors who are returned to/readmitted from other countries”.
A.1.13. Services of Migration Counters provided to returned emigrants, 2012-2014
Return of emigrants referring to the INSTAT and IOM study of 2014 has intensified during the last years. Referring
to age, it results that the most common age of return varies from 25 to 29 years, while the percentage of returnees
in retirement age is lower, around 6%. Concerning gender, most of the returnees are males 73.7% compared to
females 26.3%. Concerning marital status, it results that over 30% of all the returnees marital status is “single”
during migration and after the return to Albania. Meanwhile, the percentage of migrants who are married abroad
is higher than the percentage of the married ones after returning to Albania (11.8% against 6.6%). As regards
willingness to return, around 94% of returnees admit to have returned voluntarily while less than 6% admit to have
been forced to return. As for the country of return, Greece has been the last destination country of most of the
returnees (70.8%) followed by Italy, United Kingdom and Germany. 16
Some of the Albanian citizens returning from migration approach the Migration Counters (MC) located in all the
regional and local employment offices. MC’s are set up to assist the Albanian citizens who are returned in order to
facilitate their reintegration in the country after return by directing them to public services in line with their needs. 36
MC are set up throughout the country. These structures in implementing the Strategy for Reintegration of Albanian
Returnees 2010-2015 and its Action Plan interview the Albanian returnees who approach the counters, provide
information on public and private services, in line with the identified needs and refer them to public and private
services and specific projects of civil society. Returnees approach the counters voluntarily. The table shows the
number of returnees recorded by the MC during the last three years.
16 Return migration and re-integration in Albania 2013, INSTAT and International Organisation for Migration, 2014;
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
21
Figure 1.6. Albanian returnees registered by the MC, 2012-2014
1800
1536
1600
1400
1171
1200
1000
834
800
600
400
200
0
Year 2012
Year 2013
Year 2014
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
During the last three years, 3,541 returned Albanian citizens have approached the MCs. As of 2012, the number of
Albanian citizens approaching the MC has decreased. Females constitute half the number of returnees approaching
the counters. The number of females is high because the majority of emigrants approaching the counters have
stated to have returned permanently with their family.
The table below shows the number of Albanian returnees, recorded to the MC during the last three years, by gender.
Figure 1.7. Albanian returnees approaching MC by gender, 2012-2014
1200
1014
1000
746
800
600
549
522
425
400
285
200
0
Male
Female
Year 2012
Male
Female
Year 2013
Male
Female
Year 2014
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
Most of the returns are family and permanent returns. This group has a greater need for support and services for
reintegration. Typologies of returnees approaching the MC have been the same during the last three years. The
table below shows the number of Albanian returnees, recorded to the MC during the last three years, by form of
return.
22
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
Figure 1.8. Albanian returnees approaching MC by form of return, 2012-2014
1400
1216
1200
1131
1016
1000
884
800
704
579
600
400
405
287
320
255
155
200
130
0
Return as an Individual
Return as a Family
Temporary Return
Year 2012
Year 2013
Permanent Return
Year 2014
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
The two main countries of return of Albanian citizens are Greece and Italy. The majority, around 80% of the Albanian
returnees approaching the MC have been returned from Greece, while 14% from Italy. Returnees from other EU
and non-EU Member States who have approached the MC constitute around 6% of the total number of returnees
registered by the MC. The table below shows the number of Albanian returnees, recorded by the MC during the
last three years, by state of return.
Table 1.5. Albanian citizens approaching MCs by state of return, 2012, 2013, 2014
State/Year:
2012
2013
2014
Greece
1321
86
963
82 %
679
81
Italy
188
12.2
131
11 %
121
14
Other EU Member States
17
1.1
64
5.4 %
21
2.5
non-EU Member States
10
1
13
1%
12
2
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
The majority of returns has occurred because of unemployment in the host country. In some cases, return has
occurred because of lack of documentation in the host country, but they are not considerable in number compared
to the number of returns for unemployment. During 2012-2014 the number of returnees for other reasons, inter
alia investment has been increasing. However it still remains low. Another reason may be failure of this group to
approach the counters because they return with a well-thought-out plan and work to put it in practice. Those
who approach the MC do not have consolidated funds, or lack funds to invest and start a business and they
require additional information. Generally, the reasons pushing Albanian citizens to return during 2012-2014 have not
changed considerably. However, in 2014 a decrease has been observed in returns because of lack of documentation
and an increase of returns for other reasons (except for unemployment). The table below shows the number of
Albanian returnees, recorded by the MC during the last three years, by reason of return.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
23
Table 1.6. Albanian returnees registered by MC, by reason of return, 2012, 2013, 2014
Reason of return/year:
Unemployment
Lack of Documentation
For investment
Other reasons
2012
1348
31
9
2013
88 %
2%
1%
2014
1060
67
91 %
5.1 %
736
43
88 %
5%
43
3.7 %
55
6.5 %
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
The majority of Albanian returnees approaching the MCs belong to the age group 25-34, 35-44 and above 45 years of
age. This is linked to the fact that individuals of these age groups have created families and they are in search of jobs
and fulfilment of other needs. Number of citizens aged 15-24 has been low compared to the other age groups and it has
slightly decreased in 2012-2014. There is no considerable difference throughout these years as regards the age
groups of Albanian returnees who have approached the counters. The table below shows the number of Albanian
returnees, recorded by the MC during the last three years, by age group.
Table 1.7. Albanian returnees registered by the MC by age group, during 2012,-2014
Age-group/Year
15 - 24 years of age
25 - 34 years of age
35 - 44 years of age
45 and above
2012
167
442
455
472
2013
11 %
29 %
30 %
31 %
113
333
345
380
2014
9.7 %
28 %
29 %
32 %
67
265
257
245
8%
32 %
30 %
29 %
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
The majority of Albanian returnees approaching MCs have raised the need to find a job and they have been advised
in this regard. This group is followed by the group of returnees who have asked for and received information for
vocational training, which is increased in 2013-2014. Some of the returnees have received information about
medical services. A fewer number of returnees have asked for information on economic aid and income support.
Returnees asking for information for the opening of a business occupy a small percentage which is increasing. A
group of returnees have obtained information about other services. During 2012-2014, MC has given employment
advice to 2400 returnees, career orientation advice to 677 persons, medical services information to 973 persons,
income support information to 553 persons, business start-up information to 104 persons and information about
other services to 130 persons. The table shows the number of returnees, registered during the last three years, by
the provided services.
Table 1.8. Albanian returnees by services provided by MC, 2012-2014
Provided services
Advice for employment
Professional orientation information
Medical services information
Income support information
Business start-up information
Other services information
2012
1005
246
496
227
44
65.4 %
16%
32.29 %
15 %
3%
2013
814
70 %
226
19%
258
22 %
226
19 %
18
1.6%
68
6%
2014
581
205
219
100
42
62
70 %
24.5 %
26 %
12 %
5%
7%
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-
2015, MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
Albanian returnees approaching the MC who have asked for vocational training have been referred to the vocational
training courses. Such courses are provided free of charge by the Vocational Training Public Centres. 591 Albanian
returnees have attended vocational training courses in the vocational training public centres during 2012-2014. The
vocational training courses mostly attended by the returnees were those for network installers and repairers, cooks,
tailors, enterprise management, plumbers, hairdressers, solar panels installers. The table below shows the number
of Albanian returnees, recorded by the MC during the last three years, who are trained vocationally.
24
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
Figure 1.9. Citizens who have followed the courses and who have been certified, 2012-2014
250
211
210
200
170
150
100
50
0
Year 2013
Year 2012
Year 2014
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES, Tirana 2015
Returnees of school age are provided with facilitations in the involvement of the education system. Referring to MES
data, during 2013-2014, 2060 children returnees from emigration were enrolled in undergraduate education. As of
2010, information on education of Albanian citizens returned from emigration is distributed in the border crossing
points and near RDE/EO.
Table 1.9. Educational reintegration of returned emigrants, 2014
Number of children of Albanian returnees who have been born abroad and who are registered for the first
time in the Albanian Educational System.
Number of returnees who are registered in the Albanian Educational System to resume studies started abroad.
Number of readmitted Albanian citizens who are enrolled in the Albanian undergraduate system.
Number of recognitions of school documentation and transcript of grades
1628
2062
36
1876
Source: MES, 2015
A.1.14. Slight increase of remittances in money form
Albania is still highly dependent on remittances. As of 2007, remittances reached the highest level, 952 million Euro
to fall in 2013 and reach the lowest amount of 544 million Euro. During 2014, there was a slight increase of 592
million Euro that was observed.17
Figure 1.10. Dynamics of remittances of Albanian emigrants, 2003-2014
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Source: http://open.data.al/sq/lajme/lajm/id/1074/Remitancat-si-flukse-hyrese-dhe-dalese-2014
17 Republic of Albania, 2015
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
25
Remittances decreased because of crisis in receiving countries, Greece and Italy and also because of other reasons:
maturity of the migration process, ageing of the first generation of emigrants, increase of expenses for the second and third
generation of emigrants, crystallisation of migration projects, increase of costs of public services and living in host countries,
modification of behaviour and individual and family projects, because of insecurity caused by the financial crisis etc.
A.2. Immigration to Albania
A.2.1. Albania as a host country
Four categories of foreigners are residing in Albania i) legal economic immigrants and ii) immigrants for other
reasons; iii) students, asylum-seekers; iv) and naturalised foreigners. During 2014, Albania served as a host country
for economic immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers.
A.2.1.1. Regular immigrants resident in Albania, 2012-2014
The total number of foreigners residing in Albania has remained approximately at 0.3% of the local population
during the last decade. Number and origin of regular immigrants has not changed significantly. In 2012, some
74% of immigrants are citizens of European origin, whereas 10% come from Asia, 13 % from the United States of
America and 2% from Africa. In 2013, 74 % are immigrants of European origin, 12% from Asia, 11% from the United
States of America and 3% from the Africa. In 2014, immigration from European countries occupied 75%, while 13%
were coming from the American continent, 10% from Asian continent and number of emigrants from other states
was insignificant, some 1-2%. The figure below presents data on foreigners residing in Albania by origin and gender.
Figure 1.11. Foreigners residing in Albania by origin and gender, 2012, 2013, 2014
8000
M
7000
6000
5000
4000
F
2323
2171
1855
3000
167
2014
367
556
Source: FER-TIMS System in the State Police Directorate, Tirana, 2015.
The figure below presents data on foreigners residing in Albania by age group.
Figure 1.12. Foreigners residing in Albania by age group, 2012, 2013, 2014
10000
9118
9000
8330
8000
7353
768
7000
668
883
1096
6000
5000
1425
4000
1607
2004
60+
1343
50-59
1819
40-49
30-39
2185
3000
1809
2000
895
936
991
1000
763
296
614
907
399
613
947
353
621
2012
2013
0
Source: FER-TIMS System in the State Police Directorate, Tirana, 2015.
26
859
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2014
25-29
20-24
6
7
Oceania
71
Africa
Europe
Oceania
Asia
472
768
5
7
The United States
of America
2013
382
563
The United States
of America
2012
66
179
Africa
160
375
590
Asia
9
9
Europe
406
561
Oceania
Europe
0
51
The United States
of America
284
466
Africa
1000
4345
3992
3552
Asia
2000
The data by age-group indicate an increase of resident foreigners of the age-group 30-39 years of age.
The figure below presents data on foreigners residing in Albania by citizenship.
Table 1.10. Foreigners residing in Albania by citizenship, 2012, 2013, 2014
State
Turkey
Italy
Kosovo
Greece
USA
Canada
China
Croatia
Macedonia
Germany
United Kingdom
Romania
2012
991
893
437
304
461
206
169
102
122
120
111
96
2013
1112
1082
576
360
315
191
142
135
126
118
103
94
2014
1392
1585
803
286
262
253
200
122
137
143
142
97
Source: FER-TIMS System in the State Police Directorate, Tirana 2015
Concerning nationalities, the Turkish and Italian nationality are dominant. Among the European immigrants in 2014,
23% were Italians, 20% Turkish, 15% from Kosovo and Macedonia and 30% from other countries. Some 30% of
Asian immigrants were coming from China. Immigrants from the USA constitute 61% of emigrants of the American
continent, whereas 26% of them are Canadians. Immigrants from African countries occupied 3% of applications in
2014. Migration flows from Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia in 2014 were dominated by those of Albanian
nationality.
As for the reason of stay, the highest number of foreigners constitutes those residents in Albania for employment
purposes, for a period over 12 months, mainly males, concentrated in the city of Tirana. Data on foreigners who
applied for residence permit in the Republic of Albania during 2012- 2014 are given in the following figure.
Figure 1.13. Foreigners that have been issued residence permit by reason, 2012-2014
4000
3500
3652
3000
2853
2500
3098
2000
2012
1500
1000
2013
1610
1348 1345
500
3
0
Family Reunification
2014
1088
Employment
217 241
Humanitarian
490
741
Study
295 220 256
Others
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
27
Figure 1.14. Foreigners that have been issued with residence permit by gender, 2012-2014
8000
7000
6847
6000
4989
5000
5621
4583
4000
3226
Meshkuj
3000
1763
2000
Femra
3728
2264
1893
1000
0
2012
2013
2014
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
According to the data of the Electronic Register for Foreigners (ERA) during 2014, 6847 applications of foreigners
for residence permits by foreigners were accepted and evaluated. The figure below shows the dynamics of requests
for residence permits in Albania during 2012-2014, by region.
Figure 1.15. Applications for residence permit, 2012-2014
Gjirokastër
Kukës
Korçë
2014
Durrës
2013
Vlorë
2012
Shkodër
Tiranë
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
As figure 1.15 shows, the number of applications for residence permits submitted and evaluated in 2014 is higher
than those of 2012 and 2013. Similarly as the majority of residents, even the majority of new applicants for residence
permits have been concentrated in Tirana, Shkodra, Vlora and Durres.
A.2.1.2.Foreign students in Albanian universities, 2012-2014
During the last years, the number of foreign students in Albanian universities has been increasing: from 471 in
2012 to 709 in 2013 and 690 in 2014. Decrease of number of foreign students in 2014 is explained by the higher
education reform and closure of several private universities in Albania. Most of foreign students have been coming
from the Albanian population in the countries of the region, Kosovo and Macedonia, as well as Turkey and Italy.
28
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
Table 1.11. Foreigners studying in Albania, 4 main citizenships
2012
214
185
52
20
Turkey
Italy
Kosovo
Macedonia
2013
282
342
63
22
2014
86
493
88
23
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
A.2.1.3. Treatment of asylum-seekers, 2011-2014
During 2014, there was observed a sharp increase of asylum-seekers in Albania. Their number increased 2.6 times,
from 158 to 409. This increase occurred mainly due to the arrival of Iranian citizens of Ashraf camp in Albania based
on the governmental agreement. 281 Iranian citizens moved to Albania during 2014.
The dynamics of foreigners under international protection in Albania is presented in the figure below:
Figure 1.16. Foreigners under international protection in Albania, 2011-2014
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
150
50
0
Year 2011
Year 2012
Year2013
Year 2014
Refugees
5
3
0
2
Subsidiary protection
0
0
0
4
Temporary Protection
0
1
2
2
24
10
158
409
Asylum Seekers (281 Iraniane)
Source: Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees, Tirana, 2015
The dynamics of foreigners under international protection in Albania, by citizenship, is presented in the figure below:
Table 1.12. Foreign asylum-seekers by citizenship, 2012, 2013, 2014
State/Year
Kosovo
Iraq
Ukraine
Eritrea
Iran
Sudan
Gambia
South Africa
Lebanon
Dagestan
Azerbaijan
Afghanistan
2012
1
1
2
2013
137
-
2014
8
1
1
11
276
2
3
1
1
1
5
2
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
29
Syria
Pakistan
Jordan
Bosnia- Herzegovina
Croatia
Montenegro
TOTAL
1
5
10
18
1
1
1
158
97
409
Source: Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees, Tirana, 2015
During 2012, the refugee status was granted to 2 asylum-seekers from Kosovo, 1 from Syria, 1 from Turkey.
During 2013, the refugee status was granted to 2 asylum-seekers from Kosovo, 1 from Syria, 1 from Afghanistan.
During 2014, the refugee status was granted to 2 asylum-seekers from Kosovo. During 2014: status of subsidiary
protection was granted to 2 asylum-seekers from Kosovo and 2 asylum-seekers from Syria; status of temporary
protection was granted to 2 asylum-seekers from Kosovo; dismissal decisions were taken for 32 Syrians, 1 Iranian
and 1 South African; decision refusing the refugee status were taken against 1 Iranian and 1 Ukrainian.18
The table shows data on decisions suspending applications by citizenship
Table 1.13. Suspension decisions by citizenship, 2014
Citizenship
Iraq
Ukraine
Eritrea
Sudan
Gambia
Lebanon
Azerbaijan
Afghanistan
Syria
TOTAL
2014
1
1
11
2
3
1
2
2
51
75
Source: Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees, Tirana, 2015
A.2.1.4. Naturalisation of foreigners in Albania
Only a small number of resident foreigners apply for Albanian citizenship. The table below shows data on applications
for Albanian citizenship during the last three years. Most of the requests for citizenship are filed by Kosovo and
Turkish citizens.
Table 1.14. Applications to acquire Albanian citizenship, 2012, 2013, 2014
Acquisition of citizenship
Granting of citizenship
Recognition of citizenship
Re-acquisition of citizenship
2012
2013
2014
205
124
221
59
64
553
140
76
76
Source: Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees, Tirana, 2015
A.2.2. Albania as a transit country
The geographical position of the Balkan Countries, situated in the crossroads which have Central Europe as a
final destination, make this area and its countries, a zone which may be exploited as a transit area of third-country
nationals who move irregularly.
During 2014, citizens from Middle East and Arab countries have attempted to transit through the territory of Albania.
Third country immigrants mainly enter Turkey to then travel to Greece and through the Western Balkan countries
18 Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees, Tirana, 2015
30
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
they intend to travel to EUMS and mainly Nordic countries. The further direction of their movement has been
Albania - Montenegro - Croatia and EUMS. The main routes used by the third country nationals are illustrated below.
Figure 1.17. Movement of immigrants from third countries in the territory of Albania
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
During 2014 there was a considerable increase in the number of foreigner, apprehended in an effort to transit
illegally through Albania. Number of citizens apprehended during this year (2.618) was 32.3% higher than the
number of foreigner apprehended one year ago (1978). In 2013, some 53% of them were apprehended inland,
while 47% in the vicinity of the state border and BCP (Border- Crossing Point). In 2014, the numbers have been
reversed: some 33.8% of them were apprehended inland, while 66.2% in the vicinity of the state border and BCP.
Number of foreigners apprehended in attempt to enter illegally from Greece compared to 2013 increased from 816
to 1635. The territory of Albania has been preferred mostly by those citizens who have been found in Ioannina and
Igumenica in Greece, because of the short distance to reach the Albanian territory. In order to make the return to
Greece more difficult, these citizens travel without travel documents and hide any evidence that would prove their
entry to Albania.
Number of foreigners attempting to transit Albania to travel to Montenegro illegally decreased from 127 to 72. It
is observed that the apprehended citizens choose not to apply for asylum or stay in Albania at the moment of
apprehension by the border and migration services; instead they declare their intent to continue travelling to EU
Member States.
Table 1.15. Third country nationals by country of apprehension, 2012, 2013, 2014
Irregular foreigners
In the border area
At the BCP
Inland
Total
2012
1068
26
79
1182
2013
959
11
996
1978
2014
1712
17
778
2618
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
31
Concerning the origin of foreigners apprehended in attempt to cross the border illegally, the high number
corresponds to those coming from Syria (1941), Eritrea (324), Congo (64), while in 2014, a considerable decrease
of apprehended citizens from Pakistan, Somalia and Afghanistan is observed.
Table 1.16. Third country nationals by citizenship, 2012, 2013, 2014
State/Year
Algeria
Syria
Morocco
Afghanistan
Palestine
Tunisia
Pakistan
Congo
Guinea
Somalia
Sudan
Eritrea
Nigeria
India
Comoros
Other
2012
439
163
147
127
99
79
26
-102
2013
66
543
47
138
13
400
11
204
82
274
38
13
12
132
2014
1941
35
17
30
64
19
48
44
324
96
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
The procedure of voluntary removal has been applied for the third-country nationals and they have been treated in
the Closed Reception Centre, following the return procedures based on bilateral agreements between Albania and
countries of origin/transit. Number of persons accommodated in the Closed Centre increased by 29%; from 331
in 2013 to 472 in 2014.
Figure 1.18. Third country nationals in the Closed Reception Centre, 2012-2014
1200
26
1000
Female
800
Male
600
978
48
31
400
200
424
300
0
2012
2013
2014
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
During 2014, there have been more cases of voluntary removal compared to forced removal through detention in
the Closed Centre and then expulsion from the territory.
The number of citizens, who have been refused entry at the BCP (land, air, sea) and by year 2013/2014, is
demonstrated in the following table.
Table 1.17. Foreigners refused entry by type of BCP, 2012-2014
Border/Year
Land
Air
Sea
Total
2012
278
100
12
390
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
32
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2013
209
90
6
305
2014
366
101
5
472
Generally, the reasons for refusal have been missing travel and vehicle documentation, invalid documents, missing
visa, exceeding the time limit of stay, lack of financial means and also failure to justify the purpose of travel.
Table 1.18. Foreigners refused entry by reason, 2012-2014
Reason of refusal/Year
Invalid documentation, missing visa
Failure to justify the purpose
Exceeding the time limits of stay
System notification
Lack of financial means
Failure to meet the conditions of stay in the RoA
Other
2012
225
64
7
9
11
2013
152
54
16
6
10
74
67
2014
169
98
43
25
6
9
124
Source: General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
33
B. IMPACT OF MIGRATION ON THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
B.1. Migration and demographic development
B.1.1. Population of Albania
According to the National Civil Register, the population structure in the end of 2014 was:
Figure 2.1. Distribution of population registered by regions 2012-2014
1.200.000
1.000.000
4.400.000
Tiranë
4.380.000
Fier
4.360.000
Elbasan
4.384.321
800.000
Durrës
4.340.000
600.000
400.000
Vlorë
4.320.000
4.329.326
Korçë
4.300.000
4.313.740
200.000
4.280.000
0
4.260.000
January 2013
January 2014
Shkodër
Berat
January 2015
Lezhë
Source: National Register of Civil Registration Office (NRCRO), Tirana 2015
Dynamics of population by regions was as follows:
Figure 2.2. Dynamics of population registered by regions, 2012-2014
Tiranë
-5.85%
Durrës
4.13%
Elbasan
2.86%
2.41%
2.07%
1.70%
Lezhë
Fier
Vlorë
0.77%
Shkodër
0.03%
Berat
-0.11%
-0.33%
Korçë
Kukës
Dibër
-0.97%
Gjirokastër
-2.00%
0.00%
-0.00%
-0.00%
1.00%
2.00%
3.00%
4.00%
5.00%
6.00%
7.00%
Source: National Register of Civil Registration Office, Tirana 2015
After the establishment of the system of the National Civil Register in the beginning of 2009, based on legal and sublegal acts and respective procedures, the civil registration service has worked to increase accuracy and consolidate
the data of the system. A slight increase of the population in urban areas and a slight decrease of the population in
rural areas is observed during the period 2011-2014. This change is explained with the process of consolidating the
data of the National Civil Register and demographic movement of the population during these years.
34
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
The country population increased by 2.71% during the period 2011-2015. The population recorded by age group
and gender is as follows:
Table 2.1. Population recorded per region, by gender and age group, 2014
Region
Percentage by sex
Percentage by age-group
Female
Male
0 - 14
15 - 64
above 64
Berat
48.66%
51.34%
16.84%
72.78%
10.38%
Dibra
48.47%
51.53%
20.05%
70.91%
9.04%
Durrës
49.11%
50.89%
18.68%
71.62%
9.70%
Elbasan
48.74%
51.26%
18.74%
72.09%
9.17%
Fier
48.38%
51.62%
17.16%
72.38%
10.46%
Gjirokastër
49.20%
50.80%
13.97%
72.67%
13.36%
Korçë
49.42%
50.58%
15.63%
71.92%
12.45%
Kukës
49.10%
50.90%
19.74%
70.82%
9.43%
Lezha
48.77%
51.23%
18.77%
71.93%
9.30%
Shkodra
49.09%
50.91%
17.01%
71.71%
11.28%
Tirana
49.73%
50.27%
17.67%
71.64%
10.69%
Vlora
49.22%
50.78%
15.64%
73.18%
11.18%
Source: National Register of Civil Registration Office, Tirana 2015
B.1.2. External migration in moderate decrease of population
The population living in Albania counts for less than 3 million inhabitants and it results to have a negative increase as
of 2001. Population change is the result of: natural population increase and net migration. After the last Population
and Household Census, the figures of migration are based on a combination of results of 2011 Population and
Household Census and demographic events (births and deaths) supplied by the General Directorate of Civil
Registration. INSTAT, based on the data of the recent Census, has made the Population Projections 2011-2013
and it has calculated the number of Albanian emigrants and immigrants in the two future decades. From these
calculations, it results that the number of Albanian emigrants in 2014 was 46 500 while the number of immigrants
entering Albania was 28 500. International migration continues to be an important factor for the demographic
development of the country. Prevalence of the out-goers over the incomers has an immediate impact on the
number of population. Moreover migration of working age females and fertility age affects the most important
indicators one of which is birth rate decrease.
Population decrease is observed even during the last three years, even though the decrease pace is slower. During
the period 2012-2014, the population decreased by 6 thousand inhabitants.
On the other hand, an increase of the population increase rate has been observed even though such pace continues
to remain negative: from -0.12 % in 2012 to - 0.10% in 2014. This increase results from the slight increase of
natural increase because of the increase of number of births, while the number of deaths has remained at the same
level. Moreover, such increase is influenced by increase of net migration because of the decrease of number of
emigrants from 52.3 thousand in 2012 to 46.5 thousand in 2014, and also increase of return of emigrants.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
35
Figure 2.3. Demographic indicators in Albania, 2012-2014
2,904
0.66
0.53
0.52
0.50
2,900
0.40
2,896
0.20
2,892
0.00
-0.10
-0.12
-0.10
-0.20
2,888
2012
2013
Population
2014
The Rate of Population Increase
Coefficient of Natural Increase
Source: INSTAT, Tirana, 2015
B.1.3. Impact of net migration rate on the population of Albania
Population projections 2012-2013 confirm the prevalence of emigrants over immigrants in Albania. However,
recently this difference has become less and less evident. The immigration rate indicates the number of immigrants
returned or entering a residence place per 1000 inhabitants in a given year. This indicator decreased from 11.6
immigrants per thousand inhabitants in 2012 to 9.8 immigrants per thousand inhabitants in 2014.
The emigration rate indicates the number of emigrants who leave a residence place per 1000 inhabitants of that
place in a given year. Even this indicator decreased from 18.0 in 2012 to 16.1 in 2014. Net migration indicates the
net impact of immigrants and emigrants on the country population. This indicator continues to have a negative
impact on the balance of the population in Albania. However, net migration rate marked a slight increase from -6.4
persons per one thousand inhabitants in 2012 to -6.2 persons per one thousand inhabitants in 2014. This slight
increase is mostly attributed to the decrease of the flow of emigrants.
Figure 2.4. Dynamics of migration, 2012-2014 (net migration = immigrants – emigrants)
21.0
18.0
18.0
17.1
16.1
15.0
12.0
11.6
10.7
9.8
9.0
6.0
3.0
0.0
-3.0
-6.0
-6.4
-9.0
-6.3
2013
2012
Migration Coefficient
Emigration Coefficient
Source: INSTAT, Population projections, 2011-2031
36
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
-6.2
2014
Net Migration Coefficient
B.1.4. Impact of migrant flows structure on the population development
Impact of characteristics of emigrants on demographic development is linked to several circumstances: i) the fact
that most of them are of working age and active; ii) prevalence of males in new international emigration flows; iii)
on-going high pace of family and children emigration. The vast majority of emigrants of both genders belong to the
group 20-35 years of age. There is a slight difference between the genders of these age groups. There is a higher
number of female emigrants aged 20 years compared to males. This is linked to the fact that females of this age
may leave the country for marriage reasons, by marrying emigrants, foreigners or for family unification. Therefore,
there is observed a slight prevalence of males in the emigration flows among those aged 25-45 years. A high
percentage of emigrants are minors, 0-5 years of age. This is explained by the fact that children leave the country
together with their parents. Prevalence of male minors over female minors is observed in emigration of minors. This
is linked to the high gender ratio in births during the last years in Albania as per 100 born females there are 109 born
males. The figure below shows the number of emigrants by age and gender in 2014.
Figure 2.5. Number of emigrants by gender and age, 2014
1200
1000
2014 Male
800
2014 Female
600
400
200
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Source: INSTAT, Population projections, 2011-2031
B.1.5. Impact of emigration on the age dependency ratio and population structure
In 2014, youth (0-14 years of age) occupied 19.7% of the population, the working age population (15-64 years of
age) was calculated to be two thirds (68.8%) of the population while the population above 65 years of age occupied
12% of the country population. Because of young age of migrant flows, the share of old people above 65 years
of age in the general population of the country during the last three years has marked an increasing trend. In this
way, international emigration which flows continue to include the relatively young population continues to affect the
ageing of the population, apart from the decrease of birth rates and increase of life expectancy.
An indicator of the population structure is the age dependency ratio. Age dependency emerges in two aspects:
i) old age dependency ratio and ii) young age dependency ratio. Old age dependency ratio is calculated as a ratio
of population above 65 years of age with the working age population, 15-64 years of age. In 2014, such ratio in
Albania was 17.8% against 16.8% in 2012 and it shows an increasing trend with the passing of years, which is
witnessed by an increasing old population against the working age population. This trend is affected even by the
prevalence of youth migrant flows. The young age dependency ratio is calculated as the ratio of the population 0 14 years of age with the working age population 15-64 years of age. This ratio in 2014 was 27.4 % against 29.8%
in 2012. Thus the old age dependency rate is increasing while the young age dependency rate is decreasing. These
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
37
two indicators constitute two sides of the same coin: phenomenon of population ageing. Both processes occur for
the same reason: prevalence of youth in the new migrant flows.
Figure 2.6. Population by three main age groups and age dependency ratio, 2012-2014
100%
35
% of the age group 65 years and higher
80%
29.8
28.4
27.4
30
% of the age group between 15-64 years
60%
25
40%
16.8
17.2
17.8
20%
0%
2012
2013
2014
20
% of the age group between 0-14 years
15
The dependency Ratio of Youth
10
The dependency ratio of the elderly
Source: INSTAT, Population projections, 2011-2031
B.2. Correlation between emigration and economic development
Economic development is linked directly with migration processes. The correlation between economic development
and external emigration appears in several aspects: i) synergies link between emigration and zones of technology
and economic development; link between emigration and investments, especially foreign investments; link
between emigration and trends to establish foreign joint ventures; link between emigration and unequal economic
development of regions of the country.
B.2.1. Zones of technology and economic development
One of the objectives of the Albanian government is the development of free economic zones or zones of technology
and economic development. Their development promotes economic development of the country and it is important
even for the mitigation of social problems. As with regards to the economic aspect, the zones of technical and
economic development: i) create favourable conditions for economic development; ii) encourage local and foreign
investors to invest in Albania; iii) support partnership between public and private economic sectors in the economic
development; iv) support development of rural areas and facilitate urbanisation process. As with regards to the social
aspect, the zones of technical and economic development: i) create new jobs; ii) reduce poverty; iii) alleviate regional
economic and social inequality; iv) improve standards of living. All the above mentioned impact the discouragement
of migration flows of the population and help the creation of conditions for work and decent living in the country.
B.2.2. Foreign investments
B.2.2.1. Foreign Investment by states
Remittances of emigrants are considered an integral component of the foreign direct investment. Currently, the
presence of foreign investment in Albania by origin is as follows: i) Investment from Greece occupies the top
position with a stock of 1.07 billion EUR in the end of 2013, an increase of 40% compared to a year ago and
focused on telecommunications. ii) Investment from Canada occupies the second position with a stock of 797
million EUR, an increase of 13% compared to a year ago and focused on the oil extraction industry; iii) Investment
from Austria occupies the third position with a stock of 378 million EUR, but a decrease of 2.2% compared to a
year ago and focused on financial services and energy; iv) Investment from the Netherlands occupies the fourth
position with a stock of 350 million Euro, an increase of 18% on annual basis and mainly focused on the energy
38
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
sector; v) Investment from Turkey occupies the fifth position with a stock of 279 million EUR and an increase of
19% on annual basis. Investment from Germany occupies the sixth position with a stock of 107 million EUR and an
increase of 16 % compared to a year ago.
B.2.2.2. Foreign Direct Investment by economic activity
Concerning absorption of foreign direct investment, the following sectors are dominant: i) transport and
communication which have the highest stock of foreign direct investment, with 785 million EUR by the end of 2013;
ii) second most important sector is the banking sector, which investment stock amounts to 780 million EUR; iii) third
sector is the extraction and mining industry with a stock amounting to 732 million EUR.
B.2.2.3. Foreign direct investment flows
In 2014, the FDI flows reached 878 million EUR.
According to data from the Bank of Albania, Albania attracted more FDI compared to a year ago, an increase of
43% from 666 million EUR in 2012 to 953 million EUR in 2013. FDI in 2013 constituted 9.9% of GDP. Industrial
sector (production, processing and mining industry) was the main sector attracting investment of a considerable
amount in the FDI flow. Some industries that require intense employment, including the shoes and textile industry
have attracted several projects but of modest capital amount. Other important sectors are the transport and the
communication sector. Canada was on the top spot in 2013 with an investment flow of 595 million EUR followed by
the Netherlands with an amount of 70 million EUR, Italy with some 51 million EUR and Turkey with 51 million EUR.
733 subjects of foreign ownership were recorded in 2013, compared to 948 subjects recorded in 2014. Concerning
subjects of joint Albanian- foreign ownership, there were 281 subjects in 2013 and 318 subjects in 2014.
B.2.2.4. Foreign Direct Investment and employment
The Albanian legislation19 requires that registration of subjects in the commercial register also implies their
concurrent registration with the tax administration, central and local, social and health insurance scheme and
labour inspectorate. In 2014, there were 4246 subjects of the category Employer with employees, 281 subjects
of the category Self-employed with employers, 864 subjects of the category self-employed and 35 subjects of the
category self-employed with employers and unpaid family worker.20 In 2014, 3.5 thousand enterprises were owned
by foreign owners compared to 2.6 thousand enterprises in 2012. The difference of 1000 enterprises indicates
the increasing trend of investments by foreigners. Enterprises of foreign owners or co-owners occupy around 4%
of enterprises in the country on an annual basis. Big enterprises of this group exercise economic activity mainly in
the manufacturing of textiles and shoes, bank activities, and production and distribution of electrical power. The
region of Tirana and Durres attract the majority of foreign investors: around 81.2% of foreign and joint ventures are
concentrated in these regions.
B.2.3. Economic growth, welfare and migrant flows
The increase in Real GDP is one of the most important indicators of the national budget. During 2013, the Albanian
economy marked a real growth by 1.4% while in 2014, the economy growth was 1.9%.21 GDP per capita in 2013
amounted to 471 thousand ALL.22 The impact of economic growth on the welfare system and consequently on the
generation of migrant flows, is linked with the contribution of the branches of economy in the GDP and employment.
During 2013 23the main contributor of economic growth were services (44.7%), agriculture (19%), construction
(10.5%) and industry (12.5).24 Meanwhile, the contribution of sectors in employment has been disproportional,
especially in the case of agriculture and services. Services absorb a small share of formal work force, while they
are among the sectors of highest informality. Lack of jobs and informality in economy and labour market supply the
Albanian migration flows.
19 Law no. 9723, dated 03.05.2007, “On National Registration Centre”, amended, article 59, paragraph 1.
20 NRC, Tirana, 2015
21 INSTAT, Tirana, 2015
22 ibid
23 No data for 2014 is published yet.
24 INSTAT, Tirana, 2015
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
39
B.3. Migration and labour market development
Migrant flows are directly linked with labour market development especially level of unemployment and poverty,
which are the main “suppliers” for flows of economic migrants.
B.3.1. Atypical labour market as supplier of migration flows
As already said, the population of Albania has shown signs of ageing. However, the population of Albania is ageing
at a slower pace compared to the EU population. The average population age is increased by six months per year.25
The population of persons above 65 years of age is increasing, while the age group under 15 years is decreasing.
Women and girls have increased more than men and boys, some 25% percent against 19%. Such difference in
the increase of female population of working age is a reason for the highest level of female unemployment and
lowest level of female employment. On the other hand, such phenomenon is expected to feminise migrant flows,
by encouraging high pace of female emigration as a phenomenon of emigration of Albanian citizens.
Working age population is increased at a pace quicker than the labour force and number of employed, thus
constituting a challenge for the labour market. During the period 2013-2014, the labour force was reduced by 31
thousand persons from 1,098,000 to 1,067,000.26
Increase of working age population constitutes, as a rule “a demographic gift” for the labour market development.
Experience shows that this potential “demographic gift” has become a real “demographic risk” because of lack of
new job opening for a long period of time. Increase of youth population has worsened even more the situation of
youth employment. Meanwhile, increase of population above 65 years of age is an increasing burden on the system
of social protection, especially on the pension scheme.
The synthesis of assessment of economists, scholars and international organisations concludes that labour market
in Albania is still vulnerable. Some of these features have become moderate, but the influence of some of them have
been present even during 2014. Some of the most evident aspects of labour market vulnerability are: prevalence of
the old vision for labour market development policies for a long time period; ii) low employment rate and permanent
lack of efficient and productive policies for its increase; iii) vulnerability of the “modern” sector and dominance
of the labour sector in agriculture and other traditional activities which occupy over 50 percent of the number of
employees; iv) poor work performance; v) high unemployment rate and very moderate level of its decrease; vi) high
level of exemption from the labour market, especially for the situational groups of the population: youth, women
and non-skilled workers; vii) very high level of informal employment coexisting with informal economy; viii) confusion
and permanent lack of reliable statistical resources for recognition of indicators and labour market trends which
have been significant improvement during 2014; ix) poor performance of public institutions of the labour market,
especially at regional and local level, a situation from which these services came out during 2014; x) vulnerability of
the system of education and vocational training that was backward, inefficient and failing to promote employment
and which for this reason has been subject to a re-establishment of the system, content and management; xi)
budgeting of policies and employment promotion programmes has been modest and it has been decreasing
throughout the years, to experience a significant increase in 2014 and 2015; xii) lack of competition between public
and private employment services, this being a situation addressed and improved during the last years.
B.3.2. Features of labour market and migrant flows
Some of the labour market features in Albania which encourage migrant flows include:
i) High level of youth unemployment: During 2014, youth unemployment (age group 15-29 years of age) was
32.5% against 17.9% of the official unemployment rate for the total population.27 Youth unemployment is linked
with absence of new opportunities for employment in the public sector and reluctance of the private sector to
employ youth.
ii) High level of permanent youth unemployment and discouragement outside labour market: In 2014,
the number of permanent unemployed was 12 times more than the number of unemployed benefiting
25 INSTAT, Tirana, 2015 (Processed data).
26 Labour force balance, 2013-2014, INSTAT, Tirana, 2015
27 INSTAT, Tirana, 2015
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Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
unemployment benefit, 82133 against 7395.28 This shows that frictional and structural unemployment are at
highest level and main forms of unemployment in the country.
iii) Labour market is refractory and non-elastic in relation to youth who attend studies: Completion of
secondary education, high school and increasing requirements for employment from this cohort does not find
the proper response from the labour market absorption capacities. Consequently, the number of employees
who are graduated is increased.
iv) Unequal distribution of unemployment: From the territorial perspective, unemployment is decreasing from
the northern area (Diber, Kukes, Shkoder, Lezhe); to the central area (Durres, Korce, Berat, Elbasan) and
southern area (Gjirokaster, Vlora, Fier).
v) High unemployment in villages and agriculture: The majority flows of unemployment come from agriculture
and villages. Agriculture contributes with some 19 percent to GDP, but it employs 45 percent of labour force.
This data shows a low productivity of agricultural work. Low productivity coexists with high informality: only half
of the employees in agriculture pay social securities.
B.3.3. Informality in the labour market
Economy and employment have a high level of informality in Albania. High informality in the labour market is
explained by several circumstances: i) high level of informal economy; ii) sometimes workers accept employment
in informal sector obliged by lack of alternatives to be employed in the formal sector; iii) the enterprise considers
informality to be a solution which provides for a better environment; iv) some of the employees in the informal sector
fail to pay enough attention to social benefits and protection which is provided through formal legal and institutional
instruments.
Some of the most evident aspects of labour market informality are: i) high level of informality in the modern sector,
compared to the traditional sector, agriculture; ii) sector diversity of informality with an increasing trend in construction
and services; iii) most evident consequences of informality on the staff with salary; iv) considerably low salaries in the
informal sector compared to the formal sector; v) high differentiation of salaries in the informal sector compared to
the formal sector; vi) evasion and confusion in reporting and payment of taxes; vii) contradictory impact of dynamics
of minimum salary on the dynamics of informality. The above mentioned features hinder or slow down the creation
of a climate promoting employment, labour productivity and improvement of quality of life of informal workers.
B.3.4. Impact of employment of foreigners on the labour market
Number of foreigners immigrating to Albania for employment purposes is increasing, because Albania is becoming
an attractive country for foreigners, and also because of positive business climate.
Supported by the Albanian legislation, 29 employment of foreigners in Albania is made easier. Situation of employment
of foreigners by sectors of activities, compared to the previous years, is as follows:
In 2012: 2499 foreigners have been provided with work permits and 180 others have been exempted from the
obligation to be provided with work permits. 1830 foreigners or 73% of the total number of foreigners have been
provided with a permit for the first time.
In 2013: 2958 foreigners (2189 work permits and 769 employment certificates) have been provided with work
permit by the National Employment Service and its dependent Employment Offices.
In 2014: 3443 foreigners (2054 work permits + 1389 employment certificates) or 16% more than a year ago have
been provided with work permits.
Tirana is the region with the highest flow of foreigners provided with work permits, with 50% work permits in 2012
and 2013 and 41.1% in 2014.30
28 INSTAT, Tirana, 2015
29 Law no.108/2013 dated 28/03/2013 “On foreigners” and Decisions of the Council of Ministers no. 66-70 and 74-85 dated 12.02.2014.
30 General Directorate of NES, Tirana, 2015
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
41
Table 2.2. Distribution of work permits issued to foreigners by Employment Offices
Distribution of work permits
RDNES –Tirana
RDNES
RDNES- Lezhë
RDNES- Fier
RDNES-Shkodër
RDNES-Durrës
RDNES Elbasan
Total
2012
48 %
20%
1.3%
9%
2.6%
5.1 %
3.3%
2499
2013
50 %
13.7 %
7.7 %
7.7 %
2.8%
5.7%
6.9%
2189
2014
41.1%
13%
2.6%
8.6%
1.41%
4.4%
14%
2054
Source: General Directorate of NES, Tirana, 2015
According to the MSWY sources, the top spot is occupied by the applications for work permits of the category of
employers (1802 in 2012, 1888 in 2013 and 1792 in 2014). The second position consists of applications from the
self-employed (258 in 2012, 234 in 2013 and 177 in 2014). The third position consists of applications by investors.
The sector most attractive for employment of foreigners is construction (19% in 2012, 25% in 2013 and 31% in
2014), followed by services (7% in 2012, 13% in 2013 and 17 % in 2014), extraction industry (12% in 2012, 10%
in 2013 and 14% in 2014) and trade (15% in 2012, 12% in 2013 and 9% in 2014).
By citizenship, the top position is occupied by non-EUMS citizens: Turkish (19% in 2012, 39.5% in 2013 and 52%
in 2014), followed by Chinese (7.5% in 2012, 5% in 2013 and 12% in 2014) and Canadians (8% in 2012, 7% in
2013 and 8 % in 2014).
Table 2.3. Issuing of work permits, by states
2012
Turkey
China
Canada
India
Serbia
Egypt
Total
WP
474
188
195
17
11
26
2499
2013
%
19
7.5
8
0.6
0.4
1
WP
865
112
156
37
15
47
2189
2014
%
39.5
5
7.1
1.7
0.6
2.1
WP
1068
248
162
54
37
32
2054
%
52
12
7.8
2.6
1.8
1.5
Source: General Directorate of NES, Tirana, 2015
Foreigners provided with work permits were mostly males (86.2% in 2012, 88.5% in 2013 and 92% in 2014). During
2012, 2013 and 2014, 180, 199 and 194 persons respectively were exempt from the obligation of providing work
permits. Most of the exemptions were made in Tirana (58% in 2012 and 2013, 64 % in 2014), Elbasan (respectively
24%, 1.5% and 11%) and Shkodra (2.7%, 24%, 6%). By citizenship, most of exemptions have been made for
the Turkish citizens (0.5% in 2012, 18% in 2013, 22% in 2014), south Korean citizens ( 3% in 2013 and 14.,4%
in 2014), Chinese citizens (respectively 14%, 9%, 12%), Brazilian citizens (respectively 4.5% in 2013 and 10% in
2013), Indian citizens (respectively 3%, 7%, 8% and Canadian citizens (respectively 0.5% in 2012 and 5.6% in
2014). Most of those who are exempt from this obligation are religious missionaries, professionals and voluntary
employees. In 2014, they amounted respectively to 60.3%, 14% and 10.3% of exemptions.31 Informal foreign
employees constituted 10% of foreigners in 2012, 4% in 2013 and 1% in 2014.
B.4. Migration and Health
Generally, the health system in Albania is public. The State is the main provider of health services, health promotion,
prevention, diagnostics and treatment of illnesses. Health care is provided by several public providers and limited
number of private providers. Diagnostics and treatment medical care is organised in three levels: primary service,
secondary hospital service and tertiary hospital service. The health sector is being adapted to the new territorial31 Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY, Tirana 2015
42
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
administrative division of the country. The economically active population pays health insurance, while the state
budget funds (from general taxation) cover the non-active population and categories in need, thus giving the
solidary approach to the scheme. Health insurance scheme is based on the model of the single taxpayer which is
the Compulsory Insurance Fund of Health Care that manages the scheme in compliance with the national health
care policies.
The main impact of migration on the medical system is observed in the following aspects:
i) Emigration of health specialists has reduced human resources in the medical system: After the nineties,
labour forces of the health sector lost a considerable number of human resources that migrated abroad. Even
in the country, movement from rural to urban areas has led to an increasing inequality of medical care for the
population.
ii) Impact of internal migration in the improper configuration of health care service providers: The biggest
internal migration from rural to urban areas affected the improper configuration of the health care network
providers towards the population needs. It is expected that emigrants mainly from rural area, especially remote
area, move and settle in urban areas. Such movement has affected the change of ratio of doctors and nurses
with the population. Number of doctors per inhabitants is at the lowest levels in Europe, while the number of
nurse staff is comparable even with some EU member states including Spain, Portugal etc. The table below
shows distribution of health practitioners per inhabitant.
Table 2.4. Prevalence of medical practitioners
Indicator
Year
Total number of doctors
Total number of nurses
General physicians
Primary care nurses
/10000 inhabitants
2012 - 2014
12.7
42
5.4
22.4
Source: Ministry of Health, Tirana, 2015;
In 2014, some 72% of the nurse staff working in rural areas had completed a higher level education, 27% secondary
education and only 1% training courses of 1-2 years. Even though Albania is investing in the education and training
of the staff of nurses, some of them are leaving the country because of recognition of their diploma and job offers
for better salaries in Western European countries including Italy, Germany etc.
iii) Contribution in financing of medical services: Private transfers from emigrants constitute an important source
for funding one’s own expenses for medical care.
iv) Impact on the unequal access to medical care services: Migration from rural to urban areas has led to an
increase of access of this population in use and diversity of medical care in urban area, compared to the fewer
possibilities of access to medical care services in rural areas. Unequal distribution of medical staff results in
unequal access to medical care services. Even though the population during these years in urban areas is
higher than the population in rural areas, there is a need for better distribution of general physicians. In some
areas there is an increase of workload per doctor against the standard coverage of population. Abandonment
of difficult rural areas by the medical staff and internal movement of population make the planning of needs for
human resources in this sector quite difficult. The table below shows the distribution of doctors and nurses in
the territory of the country, by urban-rural areas.
Table 2.5. Prevalence of doctors and nurses by urban-rural areas
Area/Year
2012
2013
2014
850
2569
850
2420
848
2632
731
3962
735
3936
747
975
Urban area
Doctors
Nurses
Rural area
Doctors
Nurses
Source: Ministry of Health, Tirana, 2015;
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
43
v) Increase of risk of diseases: The social-economic and demographic changes of the last 25 years have increased
the level of risk for the import and dissemination of previously unknown diseases. Increase of number of
travels abroad and in the country constitute a potential risk for importing and disseminating diseases. Internal
migration has brought about changes to the way of living, by increasing new risks to health.
vi) Impact of return migration on the need for vaccination in Albania: Vaccination is a fundamental right of
children and the health care institutions are obliged to provide it and create the conditions for this service to
be provided everywhere and to be safe, regardless of socio-economic conditions and their place of residence.
General vaccination against diseases which are prevented through vaccination is decisive for the lowering of
death rate among infants and children. Immunisation of children with the main vaccination is one of the medical
interventions that has been highly effective. Albania has a national consolidated vaccination programme. In our
country, the coverage is over 97% per each vaccination of the national calendar. During 2012-2014, 12444
emigrant children are returned to Albania (respectively 3484 in 2012, 5020 in 2013 and 3940 in 2014) and they
follow the national programme of vaccination.32
vii) Need for vaccination of persons who move to countries of risk of infectious disease: Socio-economic and
demographic changes which have taken place during the last 20 year period, increase of the number of
travel and still high level of migration movement constitute the risk for importing of diseases which had been
eliminated in the past. Every single person travelling to countries threatened by infectious diseases is vaccinated
regardless of the time of travel to that country, in the Clinic of infectious Diseases at the Hospital Centre of
University of Tirana. During 2012-2014, 1700 persons were vaccinated (respectively 591 in 2012, 604 in 2013
and 505 in 2014).33
viii) Increase of the risk of HIV/AIDS infection Albania is considered a country with a high level of population
movement, in the country and abroad, in the region. HIV transmission is a result of population movement
especially temporary migration because the situation and conduct faced by the individuals during movement or
migration increase HIV/AIDS vulnerability and risk. Albania is a country of origin and transit of women trafficked
for sexual abuse and drug injection is increasing. All the risk factors which may lead to rapid increase of disease
are present in Albania. Based on calculations, HIV prevalence in our country is 0,02% and incidence 0,003
% (population according to 2011 Census). Even though the HIV infection prevalence is low, it is observed an
increasing trend of the number of cases during the last years. Compared to the countries of the region, Albania
is among the countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence in the total population. During 2012-2024, there have
been reported 297 cases of HIV infection in the country. The highest level of HIV infection is reported in 2013.
124 persons are reported HIV infected in 2013, 5 of them children. 76 of them believe to have taken HIV virus
abroad, mostly in Greece and Italy.
Development and improvement in the health system during the last two years has affected the discouragement
of migration flows, by increasing the access of the population to health and medical care services, through the
measures under the universal health coverage; incentives to medical staff for the best health coverage of the
population in remote, rural and mountainous areas; decrease of price and increase of the quality of medications;
harmonisation of health policies in line with other policies, especially employment, social, educational, food,
agricultural, sports policies, etc.
32 Ministry of Health, Tirana, 2015
33 Ministry of Health, Tirana, 2015
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C. MIGRATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
C.1. Legal framework
C.1.1. Migration policy expressed in migratory norms
Migration policy of the Republic of Albania consists of immigration and emigration policies, expressed in the
migration norms of the country, which is in compliance with the EU policy and migration norms. Migration policy
aims at: i) minimising the social and economic costs of irregular migration; ii) maximising benefits from regular
migration; iii) guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms of migrants; iv) fighting against irregular migration;
v) encouraging voluntary return; vi) supporting the link between migration and country development; v) managing
immigration flows.
Albanian migration policy is expressed in the Constitution, as a framework guaranteeing rights and freedoms of
foreigners, regulated by the legislation in force, subordinate legal acts and respective orders and instructions. The
Albanian legislation on migration consists of the domestic legislation on migration and the framework of bilateral or
multilateral acts in force in the Republic of Albania.
C.1.2. Changes to the European migration norms
The changes of migration norms during the last years in the spirit of the EU legislation aimed at building a new
platform of migration policies, for more partnership in global migration management. Consequently, the Albanian legal
framework has seen considerable improvement in the following regards: i) procedures of travel documentation; ii)
visas; iii) employment; iv) residence; v) family unification; vi) fight against illegal migration, including unaccompanied
minors, illegal entry, illegal stay, illegal employment, fake marriages, transporter’s responsibilities; vii) return,
readmission policy, sustainable reintegration of returnees; viii) removal, expulsion and banning policy; ix) policy of
protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of migrants and personal data protection; x) policies and repressive
measures and appeal; xi) integration policy of immigrants etc.
C.1.3. Constitution of the Republic of Albania and international instruments
The Constitution of the Republic of Albania directly guarantees issues concerning rights and freedoms of foreigners
in the Republic of Albania, including freedom of movement, non-discrimination and equal and decent treatment of
foreigners, protection of Albanian citizens abroad, prohibition of collective expulsion of foreigners, right of judicial
appeal processes etc.34 thus meeting the criteria foreseen in human rights international instruments which deal with
migration issues ratified by the country of Albania, including:
•
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by UN General Assembly 1948;
•
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966;
•
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966;
•
International Convention on Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, entered into force on 4
January 1969;
•
European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 3 September 1953, ratified by
the Republic of Albania on 02.03.2005;
•
International Convention on Protection of Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Family,
approved on 18 December 1990;
•
Convention no. 97 of International Labour Organisation on Migration for Employment (revised) in
1949, entry into force; 22 January 1952;
34 Adopted by law no. 84 dated 21.10.1998, published in the official gazette no. 28, dated 07.12.1998, page 1073. paragraph 1 article 16,
chapter I, part two; article 19, chapter I, part two; letter (dh), paragraph 2, article 27, chapter I, part two; article 38, chapter I, part two,
article 39, chapter I, part two, article 40, chapter I, part two, and also the clauses “Everyone” in its content.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
45
•
Convention 143 concerning Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions), 1975;
•
ILO Convention 181 concerning Private Employment Agencies;
•
Council of Europe Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers
C.1.4. Improvement of the national migration legislation
The most important event in the improvement of the Albanian legislation on migration during 2013-2014 is the
adoption of law “On foreigners” (2013) and law “On asylum in the Republic of Albania” (2014).
The national legislation on migration consists of the following legal and sub-legal acts:
• Law no. 108/2013 “On foreigners” is a further improvement of the migration-related legislation on
foreigners, bringing it in harmony with the EU legislation in this area, Law no. 121/2014 “On asylum
in the Republic of Albania” provides for the conditions and procedures for granting and cancelling
asylum, supplementary protection and temporary protection in the Republic of Albania, rights and
obligations of asylum-seekers, refugees and persons under temporary and supplementary protection,
right to family reunification and also definition of conditions for integration of refugees and persons
under supplementary protection in the Republic of Albania.
•
Law no. 9668, dated 18.12.2006, “On emigration of Albanian citizens for employment purposes”
(amended) governing relations in the field of emigration for employment purposes or vocational
training through work of Albanian citizens leaving the Republic of Albania. Enforcement of this law
becomes problematic increasing the need for a new legal framework governing emigration and return
of Albanian citizens for employment purposes.
•
Law no. 23/2015 “on external service”, consular law and domestic legislation governing consulate
services, creating the basis for the functioning of consular service and main services provided to
citizens.
In addition to the above-mentioned legal acts, during 2012-2014, the migration legislation includes as well:
•
DCM no. 513 dated 13.06.2013 “On definition of criteria of procedures and documentation for entry,
stay and treatment of foreigners in the Republic of Albania”
•
DCM No. 265 dated 7.5.2014 “On exemption of citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and Republic of
Serbia of Albanian ethnicity from obligation to be issued with work permit or registration certificate”.
•
DCM no. 76, 77, 70, 69, 68, 67, 66, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 79, 78, 74 and 75, dated 12.02.2014,
“On definition of criteria, documentation and procedure of issue, refusal and cancellation of work
permits...” including respectively all forms of employment of foreigners.
Migration norms also include Orders and Instructions adopted in the framework of completion of the legal framework:
46
•
Instruction on procedures of treatment of foreigners staying irregularly in the territory of the Republic
of Albania
•
Instruction on cooperation of structures of MIA and SIS on procedures of treatment of foreigners
staying regularly in the territory of the Republic of Albania
•
Internal Order of General Director of State no. 643 dated 17.12.2013 “On taking measures for
readmission in Albania of unaccompanied minors, verification and start of investigation if the parents
or legal guardians do not meet the legal obligations”
•
Joint Instruction of the General Director of the State and State Social Service no. 332/3 dated
07.03.2014 “On measures for reception and social treatment of unaccompanied minors returnees/
readmitted from other countries”.
•
Order of Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, no. 83 dated 06.06.2011 “On the
form, content of the document and procedure to be granted the status of the emigrant”.
•
Order of Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities no. 84 of 06.06.2011, “On the
form, content of the Register for emigrants and registration procedures” amended.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
•
Order no. 147 dated 9.7.2014 “On declaration for employment of EU citizens, Schengen areas,
citizens of the United States of America and citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Serbia
of Albanian ethnicity”
C.1.5. Bilateral or multilateral acts recognised by the Republic of Albania
In addition to the improvement of internal norms, the Albanian legislation on migration during 2011-2014 is enriched
by the signing of some acts of cooperation with the neighbouring countries and EUMS:
•
Agreement for social protection between the Republic of Albania and Hungary (2014);
•
Agreement for social protection between the Republic of Albania and Belgium. (2014);
•
Agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and State of Qatar concerning
the regulation of employment of citizens of the Republic of Albania in Qatar. (2014);
•
Readmission Agreement with Romania. (2013);
•
Readmission Agreement and implementation Protocol with Moldova. (2013);
•
Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for the pilot project “Triple Win Migration” with
Germany. (2012);
•
Readmission Agreement with the Czech Republic. (2012);
•
Readmission Agreement with Turkey. (2012);
•
Agreement with Montenegro on identity card travel. (2011);
•
Agreement with Macedonia on identity card travel. (2011);
•
Agreement on exchange of data on illegal migration and asylum with Austria (2013) and Great Britain.
(2013);
•
Readmission protocol with France;
•
Bilateral agreement in the field of employment between the Government of the Italian Republic and
the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania. (2008);
C.2. Institutional framework
A short description of key institutional stakeholders involved in migration management is presented below.
C.2.1. Governmental level
At governmental level, there has not been any development for the setting up of a coordinating structure on
migration in the country. The special structures in special institutions serve as Secretariats for the monitoring
of various Strategies which affect even issues of migration or migration in general, including the Anti-trafficking
Strategy, Strategy of Integrated Border Management, Strategy of Reintegration of Albanian returnees etc.
C.2.2. Institutional level
At the inter-institutional level, the responsibility of institutions for the management of migration issues is similar to
the one indicated in the 2013 Annual Migration Profile. The particularity of the institutional responsibilities is the
detailing of responsibilities of institutions competent for the treatment of foreigners, foreseen by law no. 108/2013
“On foreigners”.
C.2.2.1. Ministry of Internal Affairs
MIA, through the structures including State Police (General Directorate for Border and Migration, General Directorate
against Organised Crime and Serious Crimes), Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees etc. is responsible for:
prevention and fight against irregular migration through integrated border management; control of foreigners during
the procedure of visa application to enter the Republic of Albania, in close cooperation with other structures of MFA
and SIS; border check for the conditions and criteria of entry, stay and transit in the Republic of Albania; issue of
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
47
residence permits to foreigners; control of lawfulness of stay of foreigners in the territory and taking of measures of
voluntary removal, expulsion, detention of irregularly-residing in the territory and their return to the country of origin
or transit; implementation of readmission agreements with other countries; reception, interviewing and screening of
citizens returned at the border and also their information on the possibilities of reintegration in the country; regional
cooperation and more extended cooperation in the area of exchange of statistical data on illegal migration and early
warning; identification and treatment of victims/potential victims of trafficking in human beings in implementing the
National Referral Mechanism and Standard Operating Procedures for identification, referral and assistance to potential
victims of trafficking; including the unaccompanied minors as regards the fight against trafficking and smuggling of
persons, on asylum and citizenship etc. As the authority responsible for the treatment of foreigners entering, transiting
or staying in the territory of the Republic of Albania, the Border and Migration structure under the State Police is the
structure organised at central and local level, covering the territory of the RoA through 7 regional directorates.
C.2.2.2. Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth
MSWY through its directorates and National Employment Service, performs its activity in line with the respective
legislation, in the field of development and monitoring of state policies for migration and related issues: employment,
education and vocational training and labour immigration, labour relations etc. As of 2010, Migration Counters
(MC) have been operating under the National Employment Service and they are set up in all the local Employment
Offices. Migration Counters are an important part of the mechanism of support for reintegration. These structures
serve as key contact points at local level to collect detailed data for the returned Albanian citizens who approach
them voluntarily. Migration Counters perform the following functions: i) interviewing of Albanian citizens, returnees
who approach the counters voluntarily; ii) giving information for public and private services in line with the identified
needs (where appropriate); iii) referring to the public and private services (where relevant) and also specific projects
of civil society in line with their needs.
C.2.2.3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MFA is responsible for the drafting and implementation of visa policy and negotiation of necessary acts of
international cooperation in the field of migration; supporting the Albanian emigrants abroad and protecting their
rights, organising the Albanian diaspora, coordinating actions with the MoI structures on readmission of Albanian
citizens etc.
The MFA structures performing the tasks and obligations of the MFA in the field of migration are:
Directorate of Consular Affairs is the structure in the MFA responsible for the treatment of foreigners, drafting of
policies of their entry and stay in the RoA. This directorate prepares monitors and directs the policies of the consular
service activity.
MFA through its structures manages interaction, coordination and cooperation with the representative offices,
institutions and international organisations: i) follows, with the assistance of diplomatic representations abroad,
the updating of materials about the history of the Albanian diaspora, its settlement, legal status, economic and
educational situation, cultural life and organisation in associations and clubs, its role in the political and social
life of the host country, the prominent personalities, media in Albanian language etc.; ii) collects, processes and
generalises information for the purpose of drafting of updated studies on diaspora in other countries, diaspora
associations and organisations; iii) cooperates with international organisations including IOM, ILO etc. and parallel
sectors of the same level of state institutions which in one way or another deal with diaspora and also electronic
media and print press in Albanian language in the diaspora and in the country; iv) follows problems and various
cultural and artistic diaspora activities and diaspora in Albania and in the countries where diaspora works and lives,
for the purpose of creating a real image for the Albanians and Albania.
C.2.2.4. Ministry of Health
MoH as the main provider of health services, health promotion, prevention, diagnostics and treatment of illnesses,
is responsible for provision of access to the primary and hospital health care service as scheme provided to
the population. It supports integration of returned emigrants and internal migrants in the health system, health
insurance and social protection. The Directorate of Health Care is the structure of Ministry of Health performing the
tasks and responsibilities of Ministry of Health in the field of migration.
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Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
C.2.2.5. Ministry of Education and Sports
MES is responsible for contributing to the integration of foreigners in Albania in the area of education, culture and
science and also for the creation of conditions for education of Albanian emigrants, in the mother tongue, in the
countries they are settled.
C.2.2.6. Institute of Statistics
INSTAT is responsible for collection, processing, analysis, distribution and publication of statistics in the area of
migration. The Institute conducts surveys and generates reports on the situation of migration in the country.
C.2.2.7. Other institutional stakeholders in the field of migration
Involvement of international stakeholders in the direct support of migration issues in Albania has resumed at the
same intensity as described in the EMP in 2010, 2013, 2014. The support programmes of these international actors
have played an important role in the building of capacities of responsible structures for the migration management
in Albania. Legislation, information technology (Electronic Register for Foreigners), equipment and contemporary
technology, training etc. have been the fields of direct support of international stakeholders in migration management.
International Organisation for Migration is one of the strategic partners of the Albanian Government in goodgovernance of migration including drafting and implementation of migration policies to the benefit of migrants and
the entire Albanian society. The drafting and publication of this Extended Migration Profile is part of support and
consultancy with international stakeholders in the country and especially IOM Tirana.
C.3. Policy framework
The institutions responsible for the handling of different aspects of migration in the Republic of Albania are responsible
for implementation of special migration policies, component part of the general migration policy according to the
definitions in the legal and subordinate legal acts which govern migration policy in the Republic of Albania.
C.3.1. Migration policy of Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth
Migration policy of Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth includes the following documents:
i) National Strategy for Employment and Skills 2014 - 2020 approved by Decision of the Council of Ministers
no. 818 dated 26.11.2014. The vision of the strategy inspired by the general objective “Europe 2020” for the
realisation of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is to have within 2020 a competitive economy and an
inclusive society based on: “best skills and better jobs for all females and males”. The overall objective of the
strategy is to promote qualitative jobs and opportunities for skills for all Albanian males and females throughout
the life cycle. National Strategy for Employment and Skills is focused on four strategic priorities: promotion of
decent employment opportunities through effective labour market policies, provision of qualitative education
and vocational training for the youth and adults, promotion of social inclusion and territorial cohesion and
strengthening of governance of labour market and qualification system. The strategy points out labour migration
policies for the building of information and consultation capacities for regular emigration for employment,
improvement of infrastructure for provision of services to emigrants, strengthening of private employment
agencies, boosting of cooperation with other countries for the management of emigration for employment
through bilateral employment agreements, recognition of professional qualification and experience gained
abroad etc., on-going improvement of immigration legislation with the EU law which require activities and
concrete time limits set in the action plan.
ii) Strategy for Reintegration of Albanian Returnees 2010-2015 and its Action Plan is part of the national policies
on migration. Its vision is provision of sustainable return of emigrants through supporting their reintegration
process, regardless of the form of return. The Strategy first targets the Albanian citizens returned in the
framework of the EC- Albania Readmission Agreement and bilateral readmission agreements signed by
Albania with other countries, or through other forms of compulsory return. Moreover, this strategy predefines
the mechanisms which apply to and address even the Albanian citizens returned on voluntary basis. Its Action
Plan consists of 42 measures which aim at reintegration of returnees.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
49
C.3.2. Migration policy of Ministry of Internal Affairs
National Strategy of Integrated Border Management 2014-2020 adopted by DCM no. 119 dated 05.03.2014
designed for coordination and cooperation among all authorities and agencies, involved in border security and trade
facilitation, for the purpose of improving effective and productive systems of integrated border management, aiming
at reaching the common goal of open but controlled and secure borders. The Strategy and Action Plan against
Trafficking in Human Beings, 2014-2017 is based on four pillars: i) criminal prosecution, ii) protection of victims from
trafficking, iii) prevention, iv) coordination of work among institutions.
C.3.3. Migration policy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Migration policies and services of MFA include:
i) improvement of assistance for the vulnerable citizens focused on persons in extreme difficult situation, with
special attention on assistance to prisoners and persons under investigation and organisation of crises and
emergency systems;
ii) improvement and digitalisation of services and information for consular services and improvement of digital
information available to citizens;
iii) facilitation of movement to other countries;
iv) improvement of treatment of foreigners in Albania by guaranteeing rights of foreigners upon arrival to Albania
and cooperation with other institutions dealing with foreigners and facilitation of conditions for entry of foreigners
in Albania through removal of seasonal visas and procedural improvement in visa issuing.
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Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
D. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
D.1. Conclusions
The following conclusions are drawn from the study of development of Albanian migration during 2012-2014:
Migratory dynamics:
During 2014, the Albanian emigrants leaving the country (46.500) outnumbered the immigrants entering the country
(28.500). However, the net migration rate marked a slight increase in 2014. This increase is mostly attributed to the
decrease of emigrants’ flow from 52.3 thousand in 2012, to 46.5 thousand in 2014, as well as from the increase
in the return of emigrants. Albania continues to supply fluxes of family emigrants, woman and girl emigrants, brain
drain as well as unaccompanied minors.
The biggest cohort of the community of Albanian emigrants are economic emigrants, family members of economic
emigrants and students.
During the last few years, the legalization rate of Albanian emigrants have been moderate due to the fact that most
have already been legalized during the past decade.
Albania represents a typical case of the correlation between internal and external migration, internal migration
serving as a springboard for international migration.
Albanians continue to migrate using regular channels and irregular international migration.
While the flow of Albanian emigration for irregular employment has become moderate, the flow of Albanians
requesting asylum in EU member states has been increasing during the last years.
Recently, return of emigrants has been intensified. During 2014 it has been observed the voluntary return of economic
emigrants; compulsory return of economic emigrants because of the crisis in the main reception countries, Greece
and Italy; return of minors, whether accompanied or not; return of an insignificant number of victims of trafficking.
The majority of returns has occurred because of unemployment in the host country.
Some of the returned emigrants approach the Migration Counters for services. The percentage of emigrants seeking
and receiving services is modest in proportion to the number of returnees.
Albania is still highly dependent on remittances. During 2014, a slight increase is observed compared to 2013: from
497 million to 592 million EUR.
The synergy between migration and development is a new phenomenon in the emigration of Albanians.. The policies
and services of the welfare system in Albania do not cover the essential needs of the poor. To this end, income
from emigration is mainly used as consumption and survival factor and less as a source of funding investment
and development projects. This explains the delay of return emigration and weak synergy between migration and
development.
The economic and fiscal impact of emigrants in the host countries is decreasing. This occurs because of several
circumstances, inter alia: reduction of skills and economic performance; disproportion between income of emigrants
and local workers; inertia of impact of ethnic belonging; tightening of competition with local workers etc.
During 2014, Albania has been a reception country mostly for economic immigrants, students, refugees and
asylum-seekers. There is no change to number of foreigners residing in Albania in 2014, the number of foreign
students is reduced, while the number of asylum-seekers increased because of the Iranian mujahadeen-s and also
the fact that Albania is internationally known to be a safe country without race, ethnic and religious complexes.
14. During 2014, there was a considerable increase of the number of foreigners, apprehended in effort to transit
through Albania. Even during 2014 Albania continued to be considered an origin country of emigration, an attempted
transit country to EU member states, and destination country for immigrants from several Arab countries, Middle
East and Asia.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
51
The impact of migration
International emigration continues to influence ageing of population of Albania, in addition to the decrease of birth
rate and increase of life expectancy, because migrant flow continues to involve a relatively young population.
However, the population of Albania is ageing at slower pace compared to the EU population. The average population
age is increased by six months per year.
The priority given to development of technology and economic development, promotion of foreign direct investment
and support to foreign joint ventures is expected to assist the opening of new jobs and discouraging migrant flow.
Working age population is increasing at speedy pace compared to labour force and number of employees. The
pace of employment increase did not manage to follow the pace of population increase, a phenomenon which is
a challenge for the labour market.
Labour market in Albania is still vulnerable. Some features of this vulnerability are: high level of youth unemployment;
high level of permanent unemployment; labour market remains refractory and non-elastic even in relation to the
educated youth; unequal distribution of unemployment; high unemployment in villages and agriculture; labour
market informality etc. Some of these features have become moderate, but the influence of some of them has been
present even during 2014.
Albania has a very high level of labour market informality. Several features of informality consist in: high level of
informality in the modern sector, compared to the traditional sector, agriculture; sector diversity of informality with
an increasing trend in construction and services; significantly low level of salaries in the informal sector compared
to the formal sector; evasion and confusion in reporting and payment of taxes etc. Informal employment is linked to
low income and poverty and it encourages migrant flows.
Number of foreigners immigrating to Albania for employment purposes is increasing, not only because Albania is
becoming an attractive country for the foreigners, but also because of dominance of the positive business climate
in general and foreign business in particular.
22. Development and improvement in the health system during the last two years has affected discouragement of
migrant flow, by increasing access of the population to health and medical care services, through the measures for
the universal health coverage; incentives to medical staff for the best health coverage of the population in remote,
rural and mountainous areas; price decrease and increase of quality of medications; harmonisation of health policies
with line policies, especially employment, social, educational, food, agricultural, sports policies, etc.
D.2. Recommendations
In the current situation where: i) emigration is on the focus of public interest at national, European and global level; ii)
Albania is producing flows of economic emigrants; iii) the situation of Albanian emigrants in neighbouring reception
countries is worsening because of economic crises; iv) return is intensifying; and v) Albania is becoming a safe
country of origin and also a transit country for immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers from the countries of the
region, it is necessary to improve migration management and migration policies in the country.
D.2.1. Recommendation for economic development and improvement of the welfare
system as a condition for discouraging migrant flows
1. Employment and social welfare of all citizens is a programme priority of the government. In this context, in
addition to implementation of legality and strengthening of the regulatory framework in economic development,
labour market and welfare system, attention and sources of development must be focused mostly on the
creation of new jobs, promotion of employment and reduction of unemployment and poverty. This would
create the conditions for reduction of migrant flows through discouragement of push factors of emigration.
2. Considering that internal migration serves as a “springboard” to external emigration more attention must be
paid and sources must be allocated to harmonisation of migration policies with the process of urbanisation,
integration, employment and improvement of quality of life of the population settled abroad.
3. Given the fact that remittances of emigrants are mainly used as means of consumption and economic survival,
it is necessary to build institutional, financial, banking and fiscal mechanisms to promote and use remittances
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Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
as sources of investment and development. Strengthening of connection between migration and development
may be achieved even through harmonisation of use of financial capital of emigrants with the human, social
capital created during the migration experience.
4. Synergy between migration and development may be supported by harmonisation of policies and measures
for the development of technology and economic development with policies for employment of domestic
workers, support to returned emigrants and/or use of remittances of emigrants as sources for investment in
these areas.
5. In order to prevent and discourage ageing of population because of prevalence of youth in migrant flows,
it is necessary to discourage external migration of youth population through improvement of conditions,
opportunities, access and integration of youth in vocational training, education, university education in the
branches required by the market and their integration in the labour market. It is necessary and possible to
ensure a better harmonisation of employment policies, discouragement of migrant flows, supporting returned
migrants and using remittances as investment and development source with the measures for promotion of
foreign direct investment in Albania. This harmonisation may become productive, especially in the sector of
extraction and mining industry, the third most important sector of foreign investment, where Albania has skilled
labour force, most of which located outside the labour market. Discouragement of migration flows requires
more productive policies for lowering youth unemployment, reducing the number of long-term unemployed,
narrowing inequalities in territorial distribution of unemployment, lowering unemployment in rural areas and
agriculture etc. This may be done even through increase of incentives for the entrepreneurs who employ young
males and females.
D.2.2. Recommendation for incorporating migration in sector and cross-cutting policies
6. The current problems of emigration of Albanian citizens and the need for better connection between emigration
and development raise the need for drafting a new strategy on migration management in the country.
7. Moreover there is the need for making efficient the economic and financial resources for improvement of quality
of living in the country, as a condition for reduction of migrants flow.
8. The above-mentioned measures must be harmonised with the strengthening of fight against trafficking in
human beings through routes of illegal emigration.
9. The restriction of brain drain must be supported by policies, programmes and measures which promote
meritocracy, competition and respect for education and human capital of qualified specialists, especially
abroad.
10. Blocking and limiting routes of irregular emigration of Albanian citizens call for improvement of border
management in the main border crossing points which serve as exit gates for illegal emigrants, including
“Mother Teresa” Airport and land border, and also strengthening of measures against parents, who abandon
their children in western countries, in order to have them declared as unaccompanied children.
11. Intensification of flow of returnees requires additional programmes, sources and legal, financial, fiscal and
bank incentives to support both investment, enterprises and self-employment of successful emigrants and
re-integration of returned emigrants because of failure of their project in host countries.
12. Increase of flow of foreigners who attempt transiting through the territory of Albania calls for the increase of
measures to apprehend them in the vicinity of the state border, possibly at the BCP and return them to the
country they come from. Reduction of costs of these operations requires the increase of number of voluntary
removals or better access to the asylum system in Albania.
13. Intensification of fight against informality, especially in the labour market through improvement of conditions of
work and salaries of workers is expected to influence even discouragement of migrant flow.
14. Increase of sources and investment for health care system, considering improvement made to this system
during the last two years, will even discourage migrant flows, through increased access of population to health
care and medical services, by means of measures for universal health care; incentives to medical staff for better
medical services to population in remote areas, mountainous and rural; reduction of prices and increase of
quality of medications etc.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
53
D.2.3. Recommendation for improvement of migration statistics as a basis for policy
drafting
15. Mapping emigration of Albanian citizens, old and new Diaspora is a task which performance will increase
support to emigrants and promotion of their support for the country.
16. In the situation of limited information about migrants flow, presence, settlement and integration of emigrants,
it is indispensable the strengthening of cooperation of Albanian institutions with those of the host countries,
especially as regards exchange of information of Albanian emigrants in the host countries.
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Bibliography and sources
Bibliography:
Barjaba, K. (2013) Kurthet e papunësisë, Tirana: UET Press;
Barjaba, K & Barjaba, J. Embracing Emigration: The Migration-Development Nexus in Albania, in Migration
Information Source, Online Journal of Migration Policy Institute, Washington DC, 10 September 2015;
Migration glossary, International Migration Law, No.10, IOM, 2007;
Mediterranean Migration Observatory& Migration and Migration Policy in Greece. Critical Review and Policy
Recommendations. Anna Triandafyllidou. Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP);
Return migration and re-integration in Albania 2013, INSTAT and International Organisation for Migration, 2014;
Rapporto Nazionale, Minori Stranieri non-Accompagniati, Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali, Roma, 31
Dicembre 2014;
Sources:
Labour force balance, 2013-2014, INSTAT, Tirana, 2015;
General Directorate of Civil Registration, Tirana 2014;
General Directorate for Border and Migration, Tirana 2015;
Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY, Tirana 2015
Directorate for Citizenship and Refugees, Tirana, 2015
INSTAT, Tirana 2015, 2012;
INSTAT, Population projections, 2011-2031
EUROSTAT, 2015;
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/File:Foreign-born_population_ by_ country_of_birth,
_1 _ January_2014_(%C2%B9)_YB15.png
http://www.gazetadita.al/jo-azilkerkuesve-ekonomike-nga-shqiperia-po-punetoreve-te-kualifikuar/;
http://open.data.al/sq/lajme/lajm/id/1074/Remitancat-si-flukse-hyrese-dhe-dalese-2014;
http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/09/02/global-migrant-stocks/;
http://www.stranieriinitalia.it/attualita-5.3. milioni_di_immigrati_regolari_in_italia aumentano_ nonostante_ la_ crisi
19305.html;
Law no.108/2013 dated 28/03/2013 “On foreigners” and Decisions of the Council of Ministers no. 66-70 and 7485 dated 12.02.2014;
Ministry of Education and Sports, Tirana, 2015;
Ministry of Health, Tirana, 2015;
Centre of Migration Studies, Tirana 2014;
NRC, Tirana, 2015;
Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015, MSWY,
NES, Tirana 2015;
National Civil Registry, Tirana 2015
FER-TIMS System in the State Police Directorate, Tirana, 2015.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
55
Annex 1 Statistical tables
Table 1: General demographic indicators
Indicators
Population
Population growth rate
Births
Deaths
Natural increase
Birth rate
Death rate
Natural increase rate
Immigration
Emigration
Net migration
Immigration rate
Emigration rate
Net migration rate
Crude marriage rate
Divorce rate
Life expectancy, male and female
Male
Female
Unit
in thousands
%
in thousands
in thousands
in thousands
per 1000 inhabitants
per 1000 inhabitants
%
in thousands
in thousands
in thousands
per 1000 inhabitants
per 1000 inhabitants
per 1000 inhabitants
per 1000 inhabitants
per 100 marriages
years
years
years
2012
2,900.5
-0.12
35.5
20.9
14.6
12.23
7.20
0.50
33.8
52.3
-18.5
11.6
18.0
-6.4
7.9
15.6
77.5
75.5
79.7
2013
2,897.4
-0.10
35.8
20.4
15.3
12.34
7.06
0.53
31.1
49.4
-18.3
10.7
17.1
-6.3
8.2
15.7
78.1
76.0
80.3
2014
2,894.5
-0.10
35.8
20.7
15.1
12.35
7.14
0.52
28.5
46.53
-18.0
9.8
16.1
-6.2
8.2
17.8
78.3
76.4
80.3
Source: INSTAT
Table 2 Internal migration by regions, 2014
Prefecture
BERAT
DIBËR
DURRËS
ELBASAN
FIER
GJIROKASTËR
KORÇË
KUKËS
LEZHË
SHKODËR
TIRANË
VLORË
Incoming
1.043
1.197
3.948
2.786
2.520
1.330
1.715
713
1.805
1.172
12.000
1.948
Outgoing
Net migration
2.422
2.736
3.023
3.097
3.771
1.769
2.767
1.535
2.154
1.830
4.737
2.336
-1.379
-1.539
925
-311
-1.251
-439
-1.052
-822
-349
-658
7.263
-388
Crude rate of net internal
migration
-9.6
-11.2
3.4
-1.0
-4.0
-6.0
-4.7
-9.6
-2.5
-3.0
9.1
-2.1
Source: General Directorate of Civil Registration Office
Table 3: Population Structure, in %
Indicators
Population percentage under 15 years of age
Population percentage 15- 64 years of age
Population percentage above 65 years of age
Total dependency ratio
Dependency ratio of young people
Dependency ratio of elderly people
Gender ratio (male per 100 females)
Male percentage above 65 years of age
Female percentage above 65 years of age
Source: INSTAT
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Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2012
20.3
68.2
11.5
46.6
29.8
16.8
100.8
47.8
52.2
2013
19.5
68.6
11.8
28.4
17.2
45.7
101.4
47.9
52.1
2014
18.9
68.9
12.2
27.4
17.8
45.2
101.9
48.1
51.9
Table 4: Annual average population by age group and gender, 2012-2014
Age group
Total
0 -4
5 -9
10 -14
15 -19
20 -24
25 -29
30 -34
35 -39
40 -44
45 -49
50 -54
55 -59
60 -64
65 -69
70 -74
75 -79
80 -84
85+
Persons under
working age (0-14)
Persons of working
age
Total
2012
Male
Female
Total
2013
Male
Female
2014
Male
Total
Female
2,900,489 1,455,902 1,444,583 2,897,366 1,458,649 1,438,716 2,894,475 1,460,983 1,433,492
175.016
182.122
232.150
272.082
246.546
205.289
176.207
170.893
191.529
196.957
205.845
175.383
138.211
106.057
98.622
68.453
36.906
22.221
91.388
96.022
119.870
137.561
131.345
108.025
86.170
80.432
90.665
95.972
102.435
87.518
69.583
53.657
48.031
33.575
16.285
7.368
83.628 173.348 90.067
86.101 171.833 90.701
112.279 220.582 114.164
134.521 261.669 132.810
115.201 235.615 126.936
97.264 209.075 112.236
90.037 187.077 92.149
90.460 173.587 82.445
100.863 189.099 89.772
100.984 197.020 95.657
103.409 209.575 104.084
87.865 184.593 92.037
68.628 141.532 71.276
52.400 106.945 54.278
50.591 102.875 49.827
34.878
71.589
35.241
20.621
38.204
16.977
14.853
23.148
7.992
Out of the total population:
83.281
81.132
106.418
128.859
108.680
96.839
94.928
91.142
99.327
101.363
105.490
92.556
70.256
52.666
53.048
36.348
21.227
15.156
172.473
165.930
208.070
254.005
228.892
210.790
193.570
176.226
184.285
196.246
211.053
191.967
146.736
111.867
104.312
74.641
40.439
22.973
89.354
87.461
107.951
129.528
123.609
115.187
96.856
84.170
87.757
94.971
104.427
95.639
73.775
56.531
50.679
36.668
18.075
8.345
83.119
78.469
100.119
124.476
105.283
95.603
96.714
92.056
96.528
101.275
106.626
96.328
72.961
55.337
53.632
37.973
22.365
14.628
589.288
307.280
282.008
270.831
546.473
284.766
261.707
1,978,942 989.706
565.763
294.932
989.232 1,988,842 999.402
989.440 1,993,770 1,005,919 987.850
173.343
178.445
(15-65)
Persons beyond
working age (65+
332.259
158.916
342.761
164.315
354.232
170.298
183.935
years of age)
Source: INSTAT
Table 5: Urban and rural population, 2012-2014
Indicators
Urban population (in thousands)
Urban percentage
Urban population growth rate
Population percentage under 15 years of age resident in urban areas
Population percentage above 65 years of age resident in urban areas
Rural population (in thousands)
Rural percentage
Rural population growth rate
Population percentage under 15 years of age resident in rural areas
Population percentage above 65 years of age resident in rural areas
Total dependency ratio in urban area
Gender ratio in urban area
Total dependency ratio in rural area
Gender ratio in rural area
2012
1,595.7
55.0
2.6
18.0
12.3
1,304.8
45.0
-3.3
23.2
10.4
43.4
97.4
50.7
105.1
2013
1,633.6
56.4
2.2
18.0
12.3
1,263.8
43.6
-3.0
21.6
11.2
43.4
95.6
48.8
109.3
2014
1,653.1
57.1
0.2
18.0
12.1
1,241.4
42.9
-0.5
20.1
11.8
43.1
94.8
48.1
112.2
Source: INSTAT
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
57
Table 6: General economic indicators
Indicators
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
(at current prices)
Annual GDP growth (compared to the
previous year prices)
Unit
Gross Domestic Product per capita
2010
2011
2012*
2013**
million ALL 1,239,645 1,300,624 1,335,488
1,364,782
%
3.70
2.50
1.60
1.40
Euro
USD
3.089
4.089
3.191
4.437
3.312
4.257
3.358
4.458
2012*Semi-final data, 2013** Preliminary data
Source: INSTAT
Table 7: Impact of remittances on the welfare of households, 2012
Households receiving remittances
Area
%
Total
19.5
Urban
18.6
Rural
20.7
Source: Living Standards Measurement Survey, LSMS 2012
Table 8: Poverty indicators, 2012
Indicators
Population below the poverty line
Population under 18 years of age living in households below the poverty line
%
14.3
20.1
Source: Living Standards Measurement Survey, LSMS 2012
Table 9: Foreign-owned subjects by regions and main type of activity, which are registered in the NRC
until 2014
Public administration and
protection; compulsory social
insurance
Food and accommodation service
Financial and insurance activities
Professional, scientific and
technical activities
Activities of organisations and
international bodies
Real estate activities
Other service activities
Family activities as employers;
constant goods production and
service delivery activities of
families for their use
Education
Arts, entertainment and leisure
Agriculture, forests, fisheries
Electrical power, gas, steam and
air conditioned supply
58
-
-
3
-
1
3
-
1
-
1
-
92
9
7
2
7
2
1
-
-
2
21
3
2
-
-
1
-
1
1
1
-
16
11
-
-
1
7
1
%
Total
Vlora
Tirana
Shkoder
-
3
24
-
34
0.45
11 2
-
29
-
20
6
157
113
28
3
354
137
4.69
1.82
2
7
-
4
5
336
1
383
5.08
-
-
-
-
-
-
15
-
16
0.21
5
2
3
-
1
-
1
3
-
5
-
3
-
115
39
8
6
159
62
2.11
0.82
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
0.01
-
3
6
18
2
1
7
4
2
1
4
-
2
9
2
1
6
50
44
98
4
8
58
59
163
0.77
0.78
2.16
-
4
11
2
1
1
-
4
6
134
3
167
2.21
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
-
Lezha
Kukes
Korce
Gjirokaster
Fier
Durres
Diber
Berat
Category
Elbasan
Region
Water supply, waste treatment and
management activities
Extraction industry
Processing industry
Information and communication
Construction
Health and social work activities
Administrative and support
services
Transport and storage
Wholesale and retail trade; repair
of vehicles and motorcycles
NULL
TOTAL
-
-
4
1
1
2
-
-
4
3
27
6
48
0.64
4
10
3
1
2
3
5
1
-
9
216
21
63
6
6
43
3
15
7
8
70
1
15
2
3
20
3
9
5
6
86
3
32
10
5
4
2
12
2
6
35
5
18
3
5
50
8
27
4
81
510
334
451
77
5
53
14
31
9
141
1.102
397
675
127
1.87
14.60
5.26
8.95
1.68
1
-
46
4
2
1
4
-
6
7
305
18
394
5.22
1
2
36
5
1
2
17 -
3
4
102
18
191
2.53
70
1.372 105 2.125 28.16
18 12 266 54
67 30
1 3
27 15 10 3
53 30 879 185 202 90
70 16 45
21 4 5
17 628 19 753 9.98
281 45 183 247 5.012 339 7.546 100.00
Source: NRC
Table 10 Returned Albanian citizens by year of registration in the MC
Year 2012
Year 2013
Year 2014
1536
1171
834
Returned Albanian citizens
registered in MC
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES.
Table 11 Returned Albanian citizens contacting MC by gender, during 2012, 2013, 2014
Male
1.014
Total
Year 2012
Female
522
Year 2013
Male
Female
746
425
1536
Year 2014
Male
Female
549
285
1171
834
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES.
Table 12: Returned assisted Albanian citizens
Have attended courses and have been certified, assisted by the MC
Have been provided transport during travel
Have been provided food and accommodation services
Year 2012 Year 2013 Year 2014
211
210
170
9602
19.739
0
8639
0
1460
Source: Report of Monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy for Re-integration of Albanian returnees, 2010-2015,
MSWY, NES.
Table 13: Minor Albanian citizens (under 14 years of age) requesting asylum in EUMS in 2014
STATES
Belgium
Germany
Ireland
Greece
France
Italy
Luxembourg
Austria
Finland
Sweden
England
Norway
JAN
25
125
10
90
5
20
10
5
FEB
15
225
25
90
5
5
5
30
20
-
MAR APR MAY
5
25
10
215 205 215
10
10
10
100
80
60
5
5
10
5
5
30
55
30
35
20
20
5
5
JUN
25
205
5
50
5
45
15
5
JUL
15
245
5
65
40
25
5
AUG
10
195
0
50
5
5
5
15
10
10
SEP
25
130
5
5
40
5
5
45
35
10
OCT
25
200
40
10
5
5
40
40
10
NOV
10
300
65
5
5
40
40
-
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
DEC
15
295
50
5
45
45
-
59
Norway
Total
10
305
425
410
415
5
355
365
5
405
310
305
5
360
5
465
455
Source: EUROSTAT
Table 14 Minor Albanian citizens (14- 17 years of age) requesting asylum in EUMS in 2014
STATES
Belgium
Germany
Ireland
Greece
France
Sweden
England
Norway
Norway
Total
JAN
5
20
10
15
55
115
FEB
55
5
15
5
55
145
MAR
10
35
5
5
5
15
60
140
APR MAY
10
5
30
35
5
5
5
10
10
10
55
40
5
120 110
JUN
5
40
5
5
10
40
5
115
JUL
5
65
10
15
45
5
145
AUG
10
30
5
10
45
105
SEP
10
20
5
15
20
50
5
130
Source: EUROSTAT
Table 15: Irregular aliens in the closed centre by citizenship
Citizenship
Algeria
Armenia
Afghanistan
Austria
Central Africa
Bangladesh
Brazil
South Africa
Bolivia
Bosnia
Egypt
Ethiopia
Ivory Coast
Eritrea
Iran
Ethiopia
Iraq
India
Libya
Morocco
Ghana
Romania
Guinea
Germany
Macedonia
Ukraine
Liberia
Mali
Comoros
Mauritania
Congo
Kosovo
Nigeria
Kashmir
60
2014
4
3
5
2013
11
2012
114
14
48
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
1
1
103
4
2
5
1
1
1
1
25
1
1
4
3
1
4
7
1
6
71
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
3
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
1
2
3
1
1
3
23
10
1
4
2
1
3
OCT
5
45
5
10
20
80
170
NOV
5
40
5
20
5
65
5
150
DEC
5
45
5
15
50
125
Palestine
Pakistan
Cameroon
Turkey
Syria
Tunisia
Somalia
Western Sahara
Sudan
Serbia
Cameroon
Poland
Pakistan
Gambia
Greece
Unknown
Cuba
28
17
68
3
5
266
1
26
2
51
21
4
2
9
2
97
2
37
15
6
1
2
1
8
2
1
1
1
Total
Source: GDBM
Table 16: Aliens resident in Albania by age group and gender
YEAR
Male
2012
0 -14
15 -19
20 -24
25 -29
30 -39
40 -49
50 -59
60-X
TOTAL
306
172
432
509
1205
1066
658
402
4750
2013
317
212
507
527
1315
1170
803
480
5331
2014
318
211
563
555
1421
1327
937
535
5867
2012
308
124
331
386
603
359
225
266
2602
2013
296
187
400
409
689
437
293
288
2999
2014
303
142
384
436
764
492
406
324
3251
Total
2012
614
296
763
895
1809
1425
883
668
7353
2013
613
399
907
936
2004
1607
1096
768
8330
2014
621
353
947
991
2185
1819
1343
859
9118
Female
Source: GDBM
Table 17: Aliens resident in Albania by citizenship and gender
2012
Afghanistan
South Africa
Algeria
Saudi Arabia
Argentine
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
M
1 4
2
3 3
4
72
11
4
2013
F
3
3
7
3
24
10
6
1
3
TOT
1
7
5
3
10
7
96
21
6
1
7
2014
M
1
6
3
4
2
4
57
4
F
0
12
2
M
1
7
4
3
4
4
50
4
4
F
1
11
2
8
3
28
4
8
TOT
1
18
5
4
10
7
85
8
8
10
4
28
3
8
TOT
2
18
6
3
14
8
78
7
12
7
3
10
11
7
18
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
61
2012
M
Belarus
Bosnia- Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Philippines
Finland
France
Gambia
Ghana
Georgia
Germany
Grenada
Greece
The Guianas
Guatemala
Netherlands
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Iran
Ireland
Italy
Israel
Japan
Yemen
Jordan
Cameroon
Canada
Qatar
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Chile
China
Kyrgyzstan
Colombia
Congo
Korea
Kosovo
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Laos
Latvia
62
7
19
30
14
5
109
1
106
2 312
1 1
37
1
35
31
1
44
8
30
1
1
62
12
78
1
2
4
188
2
360
1
2
35
1
1
7
43
72
1
2
42
74
1
12
2
446
2
4
5
25
7
1277
10
10
1
13
5
227
2
3
5
4
82
48
4
13
5
831
8
6
12
5 202
2 1
25
2
5
236
3
82
7
4
318
10
4
21
213
1
25
2
87
577
1
117
2
66
364
92
TOT
1
13
48
47
26
10
133
2
2014
M
F
5
27
22
7
3
111
1
3
32
20
6
4
25
1
TOT
2
8
59
42
13
7
136
2
M
1
46
9
24
9
7
46
1
4
1
98
10
103
433
1
1
63
40
45
1
1
8
44
2
55
36
2
8
156
2
997
5
6
1
13
4
221
2
2
2
68
2
556
2
9
1
1
31
2
6
1
210
6
1
1
48
492
88
8
5
2
37
281
2
22
1
130
3
3
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
3
1 55
16
70
1 4 11
201
496
1 3
85
1
1
63
80
2
10
224
4
1553
7
15
2
14
4
252
2
4
6
1
298
14
6
3
85
773
2
152
1
0
3
F
3
2
36
30
7
6
30
3
3
1
40
9
23
TOT
3
9
65
60
11
13
145
4
6
1
48
19
65
6
113
13
106
19
219
273
64
337
1
1
2
50
48
1
83
3
6
2
38
342
3
18
98
1
0
39
93
5
11
416
5
1878
13
14
1
15
3
246
1
3
6
1
346
6
7
2
77
960
3
128
1
5
1
6
7
29
30
4
7
115
1
3
18
4
48
1 2 2013
F
1
6
29
17
12
5
24
1
8
10
42
34
44
3
9
251
3
1205
10
5
1 14
2
212
1 1
1 263
3
1
39
618
110
5
49
2
2
165
2
673
3
9
1
1
34
2
6
1
2012
Lebanon
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mali
Montenegro
Malta
Macedonia
Morocco
United Kingdom
Mexico
Moldova
Mongolia
Nepal
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Palestine
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Cyprus
Dominican Republic
Rwanda
Romania
Russia
Salvador
Santa Lucia
Seychelles
Senegal
Serbia
USA
Singapore
Syria
Sri Lanka
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sudan
South Sudan
Sweden
Thailand
Tanzania
Tajikistan
Trinidad Tobago
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turkey
Uganda
M
12
3 3
1 16
12 148
2
88
2
3
1 21
11
6
7
3
15
5
3 2 35
6
2
2
1 2 21
321
24
3
6
11
19
3
13
30
4
60
3
10
1
3
6
8
6
1
6
28
2
3
84
42
1
1
13
322
1
17
3
7
6
12
1
TOT
18
3
11
1
1
3
29
12
178
6
148
5
13
1
1
24
17
14
13
1
9
43
7
3
2
3
119
48
3
3
1
2
34
643
1
41
6
13
17
31
4
11
5
1
4 6
4
1
1
1
3
501
1135
8
1
2
1
2013
F
6
17
4
1
6
2
4
3
1636
2014
M
14
2
3
F
3
6
10
1
1
23
10
141
2
95
1
1
1
1
30
12
7
5
1
5
19
4
5
1
33
12
4
2
1
15
293
39
4
6
6
18
3
3
8
18
44
3
67
3
12
4
5
4
7
2
5
30
1
3
87
52
1
10
285
2
30
3
8
5
16
1
10
2
1
5
2
2
2
1150
3 4
562
TOT
17
8
13
2
1 41
10
185
5
162
4
13
1 34
17
11
12
3
10
49
5
5
1
3 120
64
4
3
1 25
578
2
69
7
14
11
34
4
3
18
2
1
5
2
2
6
1712
3
M
16
11
2
F
7
8
9
TOT
23
19
11
1
1
2
0
41
10
177
4
201
9
16
21
10 130
2
115
3
2
19
5
9
9
1
5
30
3
2 3 41
12
2 2
19
288
60
4
6
4
22
6
47
2
86
6
14
4
14
5
5
2
5
31
3
23
19
14
14
3
10
61
6
2
3
90
66
1
131
78
2
3
8
265
2
33
4
14
5
18
1
27
553
2
93
8
20
9
40
7
3
10
1
2
6
2
3
443
4
1746
7
5
1
1303
20
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
63
2012
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Zambia
New Zealand
Zimbabwe
Switzerland
TOTAL
M
4
2013
F
18
TOT
22
F
24
1
2
1
4
6
2
2
6
2
2
11
27
2605
49
7353
21
5331
13
2999
2
5
2014
M
4
0
1
2
2
1
3
2
22
4748
TOT
28
1 3
3
2
1 5
34
8330
M
7
F
36
TOT
43
2
1
2
4
2
3
2
1
21
3248
5
1
47
9091
2
1
1
3
26
5843
Source: GDBM
Table 18: Deported Albanian citizens (GDBM)
STATES
Austria
Belgium
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Bulgaria
Romania
Croatia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serbia
Macedoni
Kosovo
Montenegro
Norway
Denmark
Island
Switzerland
Turkey
USA
Canada
2012
160
292
0
1
0
3
261
306
10139
27
10
1301
1
2
85
1
5
1
452
25
83
459
0
1
30
0
3
512
41
61
103
39
0
410
9
36
69
14928
Source: GDBM
64
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2013
131
346
0
0
0
13
813
273
14537
2
2
1227
0
0
7
0
95
2
3
2
397
38
173
655
1
1
59
2
0
568
88
53
137
45
28
462
8
32
19
19449
2014
19
433
33
1588
353
15070
24
4
955
0
0
23
0
144
6
9
2
16
72
254
977
0
0
57
3
1
747
64
54
273
66
0
764
17
31
76
22028
Table 19: Stock of foreign direct investment by states (2009-2013)
Description of indicators
United Arab Emirates
Austria
Australia
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Switzerland
China
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Germany
Egypt
Spain
France
United Kingdom
Greece
Croatia
Hungary
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Cayman islands
Lebanon
Luxembourg
Monaco
Montenegro
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Netherlands
Norway
Panama
Romania
Sweden
Slovenia
Turkey
United States of America
British Virgin Islands
Serbia
International Organisations
Other
Total FID
2009
16.16
220.54
20.51
101.81
108.28
5.02
50.34
55.38
74.45
0.54
0.14
26.21
-5.25
559.93
3.46
1.28
2.71
347.86
9.4
70.95
36.07
3.52
0.17
22.1
207.33
5
0.07
15.5
235.12
24.1
34.68
8.05
2,261.44
2010
16.51
353.69
17.54
269.91
68.24
-1.01
60.13
-11.56
83.84
3.84
0.12
39.87
-2.42
601.05
10.9
0.2
2.77
386.79
9.72
70.65
-7.4
28.05
2.48
0.82
22.24
222.67
12.53
0.02
9.92
186.66
-97.72
7.45
46.14
21.33
2,435.97
2011
9.88
443.6
12.79
529.36
543.74
-3.11
129.2
-15.22
83.6
3.89
0.15
50.99
0.36
507.45
17.34
0.2
1.32
427.36
5.4
8.98
57.07
29.36
0.08
-1.96
16.83
253.05
19.11
0.02
26.99
187.78
-47.23
8.05
54.16
39.32
3,399.90
2012
386.61
0.94
0.17
13.83
704.66
394.45
-4.57
97.17
-220.21
92.06
3.88
0.56
84.39
3.28
766.54
12.84
1.24
124.77
0.17
12.69
5.21
57.87
39.27
5.25
0.11
8.85
297.38
21
0.77
0.01
5.21
234.77
35.89
-0.11
7.38
63.98
3.21
3,261.53
2013
377.94
0.96
0.18
11.22
797.44
97.8
-0.73
-206.37
-307.53
106.86
3.94
1.06
83.22
53.06
1,070.43
13.87
0.97
-132.82
0.18
13.19
-0.69
51.5
29.96
8.18
0.77
11.11
350.01
0.04
0.66
0.01
0.01
6.99
279.34
51.5
-0.32
4.09
79.53
-3.37
2,854.19
Source: Bank of Albania
Table 20: Stock of investment by economic activity (2009-2013)
Code
A
B
C
CA
CB
D
Description of indicators
Agriculture, hunting and silviculture
Fishery
Extraction industry
Extraction of energy minerals
Extraction of non-energy minerals
Processing industry
2009
6.38
3.19
146.63
104.44
42.19
352.01
2010
7.33
1.68
311.42
270.37
41.05
378.04
2011
3.94
3.77
611.79
538.7
73.08
431.21
2012
1.56
0.1
809.98
727.2
82.78
387.83
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2013
1.57
-0.08
732.1
659.74
72.36
-184.23
65
DA
DB
DC
DD
DE
DF
DG
DH
DI
DJ
DK
DL
DM
DN
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
-
Food, drink and tobacco industry
56.54
Textile and clothing industry
33.57
Leather and footwear industry
42.95
Wood industry and fabrication of wood items
2.08
Fabrication of paper dough, paper and paper
8.97
items; print and publication
Cocsification, oil refining, nuclear industry
Chemicals industry
10.74
Rubber and plastics industry
8.9
Fabrication of other non-metal mineral items
111.55
Metallurgy and processing of metals
52.79
Fabrication of vehicles and equipment
including, installation, assembly, repair and
0.17
maintenance
Fabrication of electrical and optical equipment
13.73
Fabrication of means of transport
Other processing industry
10.02
Production and distribution of electrical energy,
95.18
gas, steam and warm water
Construction
188.78
Wholesale and retail trade, vehicle and
motorcycle repair, repair of personal items and
252.74
home appliances
Hotels and restaurants
78.5
Transport, storage and communication
356.7
Monetary and financial brokerage
613.85
Real estate, lease, informatics, scientific
42.31
research work, other professional activities
Public administration and defence; compulsory
social security
Education
2.72
Health and other social services
47.51
Other activities of collective, social and
8.91
individual service
Domestic services
Activities of international bodies
10.29
Other industry
55.75
Total FID
2,261.44
63.8
34.37
38.49
2.1
51.49
30.09
35.84
1.21
42.1
20.01
10.48
4.01
43.48
-235.4
-36.51
2.71
18.14
21.74
10.62
10.32
13.22
9.21
124.45
51.18
12.6
4
205.91
45.81
19.47
3.69
218.65
40.59
18.9
2.93
210.36
-223.76
0.25
0.52
0.62
0.66
14.35
8.48
13.84
8.16
14.26
3.34
15.48
6.6
117.75
246.54
8.66
-33.03
-0.91
10.78
77.84
84.33
240.06
216.69
153.07
136.76
76.18
399.54
699.61
69.85
388.75
715.28
63.69
437.25
753.45
63.59
784.83
780.12
62.58
82.93
84.68
307.23
-
-
-
-
4.41
63.94
5.93
46.85
8.28
37.47
9.51
33.34
11.97
8.82
18.32
17.33
24.44
37.92
2,435.97
36.18
45.67
59.74
520.58
373.68
61.1
3,399.9 3,261.53 2,854.19
Source: Bank of Albania
Table 21: Flux of foreign direct investment (2007-2014)
Indicators
2007
Incoming FDI flux 481
In % to GDP
6.1
2008
665
7.6
2009
717
8 8.3
2010
793
8.8
2011
630
6.8
2012
666
6.9
2013
953
9.9
2014
878
*
Source: Bank of Albania
Table 22: Sector distribution of investment flux (in mln Euro), in 2013
INDUSTRY SECTOR
AGRICULTURE, HUNTING AND SILVICULTURE
MINING INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS
TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY
LEATHER AND FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY
66
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
VALUE
0.02
579.21
1.03
2.25
-28.23
METALLURGY AND PROCESSING OF METALS
PROCESSING INDUSTRY (OTHER)
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, GAS AND WATER
HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
FINANCIAL BROKERAGE
REAL ESTATE, LEASING, AND SERVICES TOWARDS BUSINESSES
EDUCATION
OTHER
TOTAL
174.16
2.78
101.46
0.09
1.74
38.95
237.57
1.26
-159.13
953.16
Source: Bank of Albania
Table 23: FDI Flux by country of origin in 2013 (mln Euro)
STATE
FDI
CANADA
595.10
ITALY
NETHERLANDS
TURKEY
OTHER
TOTAL
51.48
68.94
51.04
186.60
953.16
Source: Bank of Albania
Table 24: Number of foreign investors in Albania or common investment with Albanian citizens
Ownership
Albanian (100 %)
Foreign (100%)
Joined (Albanian- foreign)
Year 2013
10.928
733
281
Year 2014
15.463
948
318
Difference in %
41.5
29.3
13.2
Source: NRC
Table 25: Active businesses by economic activity and ownership, 2012-2014
Year Economic activity
Total
Producers of goods
Agriculture, forests, fisheries
Industry
Construction
Service producers
2014
Trade
Transport and storage
Food and accommodation
service
Information and communication
Other services
Total
Albanian
Foreign
Foreign
and joined
Joined (Albanian +
foreign)
Albanian
Foreign
prevalence prevalence
112.537
16.989
2.260
10.154
4.575
95.548
44.969
7.562
18.061
107.292
15.460
2.206
9.183
4.071
91.832
43.383
7.464
17.886
5.245
1.529
54
971
504
3.716
1.586
98
175
3.478
930
22
558
350
2.548
1.033
54
133
636
215
14
159
42
421
191
20
14
1.131
384
18
254
112
747
362
24
28
2.590
22.366
2.390
20.709
200
1.657
152
1.176
14
182
34
299
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
67
Year Economic activity
Total
Producers of goods
Agriculture, forests, fisheries
Industry
Construction
Service producers
2013
Trade
Transport and storage
Food and accommodation
service
Information and communication
Other services
Year Economic activity
Total
Producers of goods
Agriculture, forests, fisheries
Industry
Construction
Service producers
2012
Trade
Transport and storage
Food and accommodation
service
Information and communication
Other services
Total
Albanian
Foreign
Foreign
and joined
111.083
16.842
1.690
10.333
4.819
94.241
44.878
8.024
17.825
106.429
15.429
1.649
9.449
4.331
91.000
43.468
7.930
17.663
4.654
1.413
41
884
488
3.241
1.410
94
162
3.046
882
15
537
330
2.164
892
54
132
2.495
21.019
2.313
19.626
182
1.393
132
954
Total
Albanian
Foreign Foreign
and joined
106.837
16.413
1.775
9.886
4.752
90.424
43.851
7.961
16.888
102.806
15.178
1.747
9.116
4.315
87.628
42.612
7.888
16.740
4.031
1.235
28
770
437
2.796
1.239
73
148
2.555
736
9
440
287
1.819
765
38
125
2.330
19.394
2.174
18.214
156
1.180
115
776
Joined (Albanian +
foreign)
Albanian
Foreign
prevalence prevalence
570
1.038
204
327
10
16
149
198
45
113
366
711
160
358
18
22
9
21
22
28
157
282
Joined (Albanian +
foreign)
Albanian
Foreign
prevalence prevalence
468
1.008
145
354
5
14
106
224
34
116
323
654
144
330
13
22
7
16
22
137
Source: Statistical Business Register, 2012-2014
Table 26: Distribution of work permits issued to aliens by Employment Offices
Distribution of work permits
RDNES –Tirana
RDNES
RDNES- Lezhë
RDNES- Fier
RDNES-Shkodër
RDNES-Durrës
RDNES Elbasan
Total
2012
48 %
20%
1.3%
9%
2.6%
5.1 %
3.3%
2499
Source: General Directorate of NES
Table 27: Distribution of work permits by type of work permits
68
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2013
50 %
13.7 %
7.7 %
7.7 %
2.8%
5.7%
6.9%
2189
2014
41.1%
13%
2.6%
8.6%
1.41%
4.4%
14%
2054
19
267
1802
142
10
11
258
23
2013
1664
41
1
5
233
15
2014
1663
43
1
4
177
8
8
193
35
7
1
168
54
3
2
59
77
1
9
1
A/SHV
A/AFP
A/PS
A/S
D
C/RV
A/PSH
A/SP
B/I
B/VP
A/NK
A/AF
A/TN
A/P
2012
6
1
15
2
Source: General Directorate of NES
Table 28: Distribution of work permits by sectors of activity
2012
Trade and vehicle repair
Extraction industry
Other activity services
Construction
Processing industry
LP
360
301
166
476
201
Total
2499
2013
%
15.4
12
7
19
8%
LP
265
216
278
548
224
2014
%
12
9.8
13
25
10
2189
LP
185
291
351
638
140
%
9
14
17
31
7
2054
Source: General Directorate of NES
Table 29: Issuing of work permits, by states
2012
2013
2014
Turkey
China
LP
474
188
%
19
7.5
LP
865
112
%
39.5
5
LP
1068
248
%
52
12
Canada
195
8
156
7.1
162
7.8
India
17
0.6
37
1.7
54
2.6
Serbia
11
0.4
15
0.6
37
1.8
Egypt
26
1
47
2.1
32
1.5
Total
2499
2189
2054
Source: General Directorate of NES
Table 30: Classification of beneficiaries of work permits by gender
2012
2153
346
2499
Male
Female
Total
2013
1936
253 2189
2014
1892
162
2054
Source: General Directorate of NES
Table 31: Exemption from work permit/registration certificate by gender
Male
Female
TOTAL
2012
139
41
180
2013
121
78
199
2014
105
89
194
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Table 32: Exemption from work permit/registration certificate by towns
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
69
2012
%
57.7
1.6
0.5
23.8
2.7
TP
104
3
1
43
5
Tirana
Korça
Lezha
Elbasan
Durrës
Shkodër
2013
%
57.7
1
7.5
1.5
23.6
TP
115
2
15
3
47
2014
%
64.4
2
5.1
11.3
4.1
6.1
CR
125
4
10
22
8
12
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Table 33: Exemption from work permit/registration certificate by citizenship
2012
2013
2014
Turkish
South Korea
TP
1
-
%
0.5
-
TP
34
6
%
17.8
3
CR
42
28
%
21.6
14.4
Chinese
25
13.8
18
9
24
12.3
Brazilian
-
-
9
4.5
19
9.7
Indian
6
3.3
14
7
16
8.2
Canadian
1
0.5
-
-
11
5.6
Source: Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Table 34: Exemption from work permit/registration certificate by professional status
2012
TP
1
29
5
12
3
Religious missions
Voluntary
Engineers
Mechanics
Installers
Doctors
2013
%
0.5
16.1
2.7
6.6
1.6
TP
84
7
32
2
2014
%
42.2
3.5
16
1
CR
117
20
10
8
9
1
%
60.3
10.3
5.1
4.1
4.6
0.5
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Table 35: Type of work permit for aliens
Subject of issue
for students
for frontier
employment
permanent work
permit
70
Type
Description and duration
The foreign student is provided with work permit for employment, part-time or
definite time, in paid activity, if the student attends university studies, provided
that: the student works for up to 20 hours per week; the work permit may be
renewed annually
The foreign worker, from a neighbouring country of the Republic of Albania, staying
regularly in the territory of the Republic of Albania is provided with work permit
for frontier employment as employer, employee or self-employed in a frontier
A/NK
geographic area of the territory of the Republic of Albania, defined by bilateral
agreement in force for cross-border circulation, provided that the worker returns
to the permanent residence on daily basis or at least once a week, while keeping
the residence and dwelling place in the country of origin.
A/S
D
The alien is provided with type “D” permanent work permit after being issued the
second permit of two-year duration.
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
for domestic
workers
for contractual
services
The foreign worker of regular stay in the territory of the Republic of Albania
employed for services of domestic employment, is provided with work permit as
A/PSH
domestic worker, based on a contract with the employer, corresponding to his/
her education.
C/SHK
For skilled workers
A/KL
for the intracorporate
transferees
A/TN
for sportsmen/
women
for independent
economic activity
(as self-employed)
for vocational
training
for employers
for family members
for independent
economic activity
(as investors)
for special cases
for voluntary
services
for seasonal
workers
A/SP
B/VP
A/FP
A/P
The work permit may be issued several times within a calendar year, but for a
total duration of not more than 90 days. Aliens who provide services in the field of
science, culture, sports, health and education may be provided with work permits
valid for one year, provided that the conditions for conclusion of employment
conditions do not exist.
If a contract is concluded for work performed by the alien, for a period longer than
one year, the work permit may be renewed on annual basis, until the termination
of the contract.
Type “A/KL” work permit if required criteria are met, is issued for the first time for a
period of not less than 2 years, it is renewed for a period of 3 years and then the
permanent work permit is issued.
Initial period of validity of the work permit for the intra-corporate transferees is
equal to the required duration for the performance of the assigned work, starting
from the date of transfer until the maximum period of validity for 5 years
The foreign sportsman of regular stay in the territory of the Republic of Albania, is
provided with a work permit for the sportsmen, based on a work contract with the
employer/sports club, in compliance with his/her occupation, provided that the
respective sports federation has granted employment, according to the request
presented by the sports club.
The foreign worker for independent economic activity, as self-employed, is
provided with the type “B/VP” work permit, limited in time, space and occupation,
according to the specifications in the permit issued for exercise of the activity.
The work permit for vocational training is issued for a validity period equal to the
activity of vocational training, provided that it is proven that such training is closely
linked to the building of skills and qualification.
a) for one-year duration for the initial work permit;
b) for two-year duration, renewable twice subsequently, provided that the
conditions for which the previous initial work permit has been issued are the
same;
c) permanent, upon expiry of validity term of the second two-year permit, provided
that the conditions for which the last initial work permit has been issued are the
same
An adult member of the family of the foreign worker provided with residence permit
in the Republic of Albania, for family unification purposes, is provided with one year
A/AF work permit based on an employment contract with an employer or employment
certificate in family business
The work permit for family members of the foreign worker is issued provided that
this member lives with the alien, regularly and permanently, at least for three years
B/I
The foreign worker for independent economic activity, as self-employed, is
provided with the type “B/VP” work permit, limited in time, space and occupation,
according to the specifications in the permit issued for exercise of the activity.
The alien is provided with work permit for special cases, for a duration of one year
Aliens are provided with this type of work permit provided that their activity is
A/SHV limited in time for up to one year, exempt for the cases provided otherwise in the
legislation of the RoA
C
A/PS
The alien is provided with the work permit as seasonal worker, for a period of up
to six month, every calendar year
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
71
Table 36: Albanian migrants during 2012-2014
Number
Year 2012
State
12_M
12_F
0
Austria
Britain
Denmark
Egypt
Finland
Germany
Greece
Netherlands
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Israel
China
Kuwait
Lithuania
Montenegro
Norway
Poland
Czech
Republic
Romania
Russia
Serbia
USA
Slovenia
Switzerland
Year 2013
12_Total
0
1.291
0
0
96
118
0
0
8
5
5.924
5.459
0
0
785
712
0
0
8
5
234.670 216.238
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
214
123
13
11.383
0
1.497
88
13
450.908
0
79
70
13_M
13_F
0
Year 2014
13_Total
0
1.341
0
0
100
123
0
0
7
4
7.441
6.665
0
0
840
789
0
0
7
4
241.217 256.544
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
223
126
11
14.106
0
1.629
136
11
497.761
0
82
80
14_F
0
14_Total
0
1.916
0
0
109
128
0
0
9
5
12.851 11.087
196.547 157.909
0
0
0
0
9
5
258.709 243.840
0
0
0
0
0
0
41.861
237
131
14
23.938
354.456
1.771
181
14
502.549
298
109
87
10
0
167
0
5
0
141
0
15
0
308
177
0
0
173
0
0
0
165
0
21
0
338
200
0
0
210
0
0
0
167
0
28
2.241
377
195
0
0
0
109
55
166
109
57
166
655
265
0
0
0
946
173
235
56
0
0
1.392
828
500
56
0
0
2.338
654
275
0
0
0
1.028
185
295
32
0
0
1.496
839
570
32
0
0
2.524
657
307
0
0
24
1.111
200
300
43
0
51
1.564
857
607
43
0
75
2.675
Source: MoFA
Table 37: Albanian Diaspora distribution
Greece
Italy
Germany
USA
United Kingdom
Belgium
France
Canada
Norway
Austria
Netherlands
Turkey
Source: MES
72
14_M
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
650 000
490 000
20 000
150 000
50 000
5 000
2 000
15 000
1 500
4 000
1 000
5 000
Table 38: Valid residence permits for Albanian citizens on 31 December of each year, by states
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Estonia
Ireland
Greece
Spain
France
Croatia
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Hungary
Austria
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Finland
Sweden
Island
Norway
Switzerland
2011
4.438
130
:
4
488
384.101
1.411
:
:
491.561
9
17
304
:
1.162
193
37
863
58
64
0
584
11
167
:
2012
4.468
184
270
10
432
334.030
1.433
:
:
501.542
10
13
:
:
1.292
210
37
778
57
:
0
739
11
168
1.158
2013
4.533
184
301
12
365
340.841
1.337
3.761
32
502.361
10
22
331
109
1.372
236
33
806
67
:
:
981
:
176
1.242
Source: Eurostat Latest update: 23.12 14
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
73
Annex 2 Illustration figures
Figure 1: Classification of work permits for the activity sectors, 2014:
140
9%
185
11%
Tregti dhe riparim automjetesh
291
18%
Industri Nxjerrëse
Aktivitete shërbimesh të tjera
638
40%
Ndërtim
Industri Përpunuese
351
22%
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Figure 2: Beneficiaries of work permits for aliens, by gender, 2014
162
8%
Male
Female
1892
92%
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Figure 3: Classification by state, 2014
317
23%
Italy
571
41%
70
5%
USA
Kosovo
Germany
Greece
Britain
168
12%
Other
53
4%
138
10%
72
5%
Source: General Directorate of NES
74
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
Figure 4: Certificates by sector of activity in 2014
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
464
204
120
Other service activities
Processing industry
100
Information and communication
Contruction
Source: General Directorate of NES
Figure 5: Employment Certificates by gender in 2014
75
42%
105
58%
Male
Female
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Figure 6: Employment Certificates by towns in 2014
6 6
4% 4%
6
4%
6
4%
Tirana
Korça
12
8%
Vlora
Pogradeci
113
76%
Fier
Shkodër
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
75
Figure 7: Employment Certificates by country of origin in 2014
317
23%
Italy
USA
571
41%
Kosovo
70
5%
Germany
Greece
Britain
168
12%
Other
53
4%
138
10%
72
5%
Source: Directorate of Employment and Migration Policies, MSWY
Figure 8: Aliens studying in Albania by gender
900
800
775
752
700
600
515
500
Male
Female
400
Total
300
200
100
0
2012
2013
2014
Source: GDBM
Figure 9: Albanian unaccompanied minors requesting asylum in EUMS
7000
6145
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
535
345
0
2012
2013
Source: GDBM
76
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
2014
Figure 10: Total valid residence permits of Albanian citizens in 2012
600000
500000
501,542
400000
334,030
300000
200000
100000
Zvicë
Island
Norvegji
Suedi
Finland
Sllovaki
Slloveni
Rumani
Portugali
Austri
Poloni
Hungari
Luksemburg
Lituani
Letoni
Itali
Kroaci
Franca
Spanjë
Greqi
Irlandë
Estoni
Republik ...
Bullgari
VITI
Belgjikë
0
Source: Eurostat Latest update: 23.12.14
Figure 11: Total valid residence permits of Albanian citizens in Greece by year
400,000
368,397
384,101
380,000
360,000
304,030
340,000
340,841
Linear (Greqi)
320,000
300,000
Greqi
Viti 2010
Viti 2011
Viti 2012
Viti 2013
Source: Eurostat Latest update: 23.12.14
Figure 12: Total valid residence permits of Albanian citizens in Italy by year
510,000
505,000
501,542
502,361
500,000
495,000
490,000
485,000
491,561
Itali
483,705
Linear (Itali)
480,000
475,000
470,000
Viti 2010
Viti 2011
Viti 2012
Viti 2013
Source: Eurostat Latest update: 23.12.14
Albania / Extended Migration Profile 2012-2014
77