Thumbnail Image

Familiar faces, familiar places: The role of family networks and previous experience for Albanian migrants

Year of publication 2005

Pages 40

Author Gero Carletto, Benjamin Davis and Marco Stampini;Agriculture and Economic Development Analysis Division

Product type Document

Category Working paper

Series title FAO Agricultural Economics Working Paper

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Using data from the 2003 Albania Panel Survey, this paper examines the evolution of Albanian international migration since the fall of Communism in 1990 and explores, using multivariate analysis, what individual, household and community level factors influence decisions to migrate internationally. We find evidence of important changes over time in the pull and push factors that drive migration flows. While early on in the transition political and economic factors were predominant, over t ime personal experience and household migration networks assumed fundamental roles. Furthermore, the spatial configuration of migration is also changing as both temporary and permanent migration expand into new parts of the country. The results have important policy implications. First, policies aimed at controlling migration are likely to be less effective where networks have already developed or where engrained patterns of repeat migration are established. Second, despite increasing legal ity, migration, particularly for newcomers, is still risky and often illegal. Third, educated individuals have a higher propensity to migrate permanently, a serious potential risk in terms of brain drain.

Language Trilingual

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    Working paper
    The Vanishing Farms?The Impact of International Migration on Albanian Family Farming 2007
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This paper investigates the impact of international migration on technical efficiency, resource allocation and income from agricultural production of family farming in Albania. The results suggest that migration is used by rural households as a pathway out agriculture: migration is negatively associated with both labor and non-labor input allocation in agriculture, while no significant differences can be detected in terms of farm technical efficiency or agricultural income. Whether the rapid de mographic changes in rural areas triggered by massive migration, possibly combined with propitious land and rural development policies, will ultimately produce the conditions for a more viable, high-return agriculture attracting larger investments remains to be seen.
  • Thumbnail Image
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Revitalizing the Albanian dairy sector in the context of food, energy and financial crises 2025
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This report provides an in-depth analysis of Albania’s dairy sector, a critical component of the country’s agricultural economy. Despite recent improvements in farm productivity, the sector faces significant challenges including fragmented landownership, declining cattle numbers, and mounting production costs. The impact of external crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions in global food and energy systems has further stressed the industry, leading to reduced domestic milk output and increased reliance on imports. The study explores these issues through both qualitative and quantitative research, focusing on the dairy farm segment and examining the roles of farmers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers. While large farms are showing profitability gains, smaller farms are increasingly exiting the sector or shifting to alternative livestock. Demographic changes – such as emigration and an ageing farming population – exacerbate labour shortages, while policy support remains insufficient compared to regional peers. To address these concerns, the report proposes strategic interventions including empowering value chain leaders, encouraging farmer cooperatives, and implementing a holistic policy framework that promotes sustainability, supports young and potential farmers, and fosters innovation. Overall, the dairy sector in Albania stands at a pivotal moment, requiring coordinated efforts to build resilience, ensure competitiveness, and secure its long-term viability within the national economy.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.