Summary
Located in Eastern Europe, Albania is home to a population of 2.8 million people. Approximately the size of Maryland, Albania sizes to a total area of 28,748 sq km.
Once under communist government in 1941, dictator Enver Hoxha isolated Albanians until his death in 1985. For 45 years of restricted freedom, lack of resources, and even death penalties, communities at large were deprived of basic needs. From poverty to poor infrastructure, Albania was acknowledged as one of the poorest countries in Europe.
Today, the ratio between Albanians living in their country is slightly higher than those who live outside. As of 2019, government data show that “More than 1.64 million Albanians, or 36 percent of the population live abroad.” In fact, population growth has gradually increased. Due to the communist regime (the system’s fall) in 1990-1991, citizens were tumultuous. Struggle to transition from communism to democracy created chaos in society. Substantially, discord in deregulation led to hostility, mainly because there was no one left in charge.
After years of regaining their power, Albania’s government switched to democratic forms
under Prime Minister Sali Berisha and built diplomatic relations with the U.S. Albania was invited to join NATO in 2008, nine years after the war between Kosovo and Serbia, which caused even more Albanians to seek refuge. Closely partnered in political affairs, the U.S. signed the U.S.-Albania Strategic Partnership to firmly establish cooperation between both nations.
In effect to such causes, most Albanians fled from their country in 1997 and migrated in hope for better lives. Jumping onto ships with no plan or preparation of their choices, this was their only escape from financial, political and social instability.
As of today, Albania practices Socialism. Prime minister of The Socialist Party since 2013, Edi Rama, is suspected of leading and conducting corruption within the government. Ranked 110/180 on Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, corruption is at an all time high.
Disregarding public interest, ballots from criminal groups were found from Rama’s election on April 25, 2021. For the past nine years of his rule in the office, a majority of the population still grappled with poverty and angst. A total of 64% of Albania’s population is unemployed, resulting in only 36% employed.
With that, labor shortages have increased as well. “It is estimated by local experts that the labor market in Albania is in an emergency for employees, in almost all sectors,” says the European Training Foundation. Because of this serious issue, citizens are better off working abroad. Albania is already in the midst of facing an economic crisis, meanwhile Rama is making no difference.
WORKS CITED
https://www.britannica.com/place/Albania/Collapse-of-communism
https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/despite-calls-albania-remains-reluctant-to-find-its-6000-missing-communism-victims/
https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/albania-population/
https://www.google.com/search?q=when+albanias+government+recovered&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS1003US1003&oq=when+albanias+government+recovered&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i10i160.4688j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
https://china-cee.eu/2022/05/27/albania-social-briefing-unemployment-and-labor-shortage-the-paradoxes-of-the-albanian-workforce/
