The other side of migration

The return of migrants could be a win-win situation for Albania.
By A. D. Balla
After a lot of anecdotal evidence and hard data from official bodies in EU member states, a local study released this week by IOM and INSTAT makes if official: Albanian migrants abroad are returning home in large numbers and at a faster pace than ever before.
In the last four years alone, more than 10 percent of those who left to escape poverty and look for a better life during the two decades of transition have returned home.
It appears the decision to come back was largely driven by the fewer economic opportunities now available in the host countries, rather than the lure of Albania, but that does not change the fact that about 134,000 people have returned – more than half looking to settle permanently – and that more are likely to come.
Their return brings challenges and opportunities. Albania’s authorities have for more than two decades had to deal with a large number of people who wanted to leave the country by all means necessary. This new trend turns the equation on its head.
It is clear that the country now needs to shift its policies to address return migration in addition to outward migration. As Albania’s deputy interior minister, Elona Gjebrea, puts it, the country needs “to increase positive outcomes, so Albanian society can contribute to the reintegration of those who have returned, and those who have returned can contribute in the Albanian society.”
Greek official data indicates that in addition to leaving Greece physically, Albanians withdrew billions of euros in savings, some of which will no doubt be invested in Albania. But perhaps more than the money brought home, many of those who have returned also bring back new skills and a sense of entrepreneurship learned during their immigration years, things they are now trying to put into work in Albania.
There is anecdotal evidence of successful agricultural ventures in central and southern Albania, for example, with Albanian farmers building the same type of businesses here, based on what they did in Greece and Italy. They need to be fostered and supported as job creators and as pioneers in bringing agricultural activity back to life after years of neglect. They will also make Albania more competitive, keeping other prospective migrants at home.
It also important that people who have lived abroad for a long time bring back a new way of doing things for those around them as well – a factor that will likely further help modernize Albania’s society. By modernization we mean bringing the country closer to EU standards in terms of rule of law and quality of life.
The fact that there are more Albanians coming home than leaving also needs to be stressed with authorities in EU states.
While EU officials insist that Albania’s EU membership prospects are entirely related to the country’s ability to meet the criteria, one of the fears from member states in terms of admitting Albania and its neighbors in the EU is the fear of mass immigration to richer member states.
This week’s study, featured in our cover story, shows that these fears are unfounded.
At 2.8 million Albania small population is already tiny in comparison to EU members and this country’s young adult populations – the ones most likely to seek to immigrate – is shrinking rapidly due to lower birth rates and a general aging of the population.
So if massive immigration is one of the bullets in a list of fears inside the EU that could potentially slow down Albania’s membership plans, it should be removed today – it is unlikely to happen.