Albania is experiencing a significant increase in the return of emigrants.
According to data from the 2024 National Migration Survey, conducted by INSTAT in collaboration with the World Bank, 22% of Albanian emigrants have returned to the country.
Data shows that over the past 12 years alone, 109 Albanians have returned to Albania. Of these, nearly half, or 45%, returned between 2020 and 2024, indicating that the pace of returns has accelerated significantly in recent years.
In terms of age, the majority of returnees are over 35 years old, while 29% are 25-34 years old. Only 9% are young people 15-24 years old, which indicates that the return of emigrants is mainly focused on adults who are ready to work.
Most returnees come from Italy and Greece, while migrants living in more distant countries return less frequently.
In terms of employment, male returnees are employed at a rate of 67%, compared to a rate of 59% for non-migrant males.
While returnee women have a similar performance to non-migrant women (34% compared to 36%).
The rate of self-employment among returnees has increased over time. From 7% for those who returned between 2000-2004 to 29% for those who returned during 2015-2024, reaching a peak of 34% for those who returned in the period 2010-2014.
Women who return early have a higher rate of self-employment (41%) compared to men (25%), writes ATSh.
Most self-employment is individual work (91-93%), but returnees are more likely to become employers with paid employees, especially those who have spent more than six years abroad.