Emigration of young people from Albania - an old wound of our society

Abstract

Emigration is not a new phenomenon for the Albanian population, on the contrary, it is a known and continuous process for our society. Based on this fact, this study aims to identify the factors that push the students of the Faculty of Social Sciences, at the University of Tirana, to emigrate. The study aims to identify the main pushing and pulling factors in the decision-making process for emigration. The methods used in this study are secondary data analysis and quantitative survey research method, through which primary data was obtained. The sample of the population was 250 students. By means of the analysis in SPSS, it was possible to make an analysis and a graphic presentation of the issues raised in the study questionnaire. The study showed that most of the respondents are not very satisfied with life in Albania and would like to change the current conditions, considering the possibility of a possible emigration. The highest percentages of the chosen options are related to the desire to complete studies and work in Albania or abroad. Most of the surveyed students consider as potential emigration destinations countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, Germany, the countries of Northern Europe, otherwise known as the Scandinavian Peninsula. The high level of dissatisfaction among the respondents, which is reflected in the high level and commitment to emigrate, is mutually related to the impossibility to change the unfavorable economic situation. Most of the respondents consider the cost of living in Albania to be too high and the salaries to be low and emphasize the uncertainty of finding employment after graduation.