Next Generation

Albania
November 2023

www.britishcouncil.org/
research-insight
2 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 3

Contents
Foreword.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Executive Summary........................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Background to the research.................................................................................................................................................... 5
Summary of findings.................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Introducing the research.............................................................................................................................................................12
Chapter 1. The Albanian context.............................................................................................................................................18
Chapter 2. Influences and values............................................................................................................................................21
2.1. What influences young Albanians’ values?..............................................................................................................21
2.2. The outcomes of these influences: Young Albanians’ value systems and identity ������������������������������������ 29
Chapter 3. Overall perceptions of life in Albania and views on the future ��������������������������������������������������� 39
3.1. Life in Albania has improved compared to the previous generation......................................................... 39
3.2. Young people’s daily lives................................................................................................................................................ 42
3.3. Optimism in Albania’s future............................................................................................................................................ 46
Chapter 4. Youth experiences and expectations..........................................................................................................51
4.1. Education................................................................................................................................................................................51
4.2. Employment...........................................................................................................................................................................61
4.3. Migration................................................................................................................................................................................. 66
4.4. Social marginalisation........................................................................................................................................................ 70
Chapter 5. Youth engagement................................................................................................................................................. 79
5.1. Political outlook and engagement............................................................................................................................. 79
5.2. Youth voice in the community.........................................................................................................................................91
Chapter 6. Global Outlook........................................................................................................................................................ 101
6.1. Global relationships........................................................................................................................................................ 101
6.2. Climate change..................................................................................................................................................................104
Conclusion and Action plan.....................................................................................................................................................108
Annex.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 112
Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................................................................................113
References......................................................................................................................................................................................... 114
4 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 5

Foreword Executive Summary

‘’
It is with great pleasure that we present the Next young Albanians is much more analogous to those Background to the research
Generation Albania report. of their European peers than those of their parents,
with increased opportunities for freedom of choice, This report presents findings from a comprehensive
This is the first in-depth piece of research with young
people in Albania that the British Council has carried
expression, and alternative lifestyles. Young Albanians mixed-method study examining the experiences, These viewpoints
perceptions, and attitudes of Albanian youth aged
out since the start of its operations in the country in
demonstrate an excellent ability to balance traditional
and modern influences, and shift from collective to between 18-29, as part of the British Council’s global have been documented
during a period of
1994. It is the latest in a series of Next Generation Next Generation research programme. We engaged
individualist values, thus creating hope for a more
reports that we have carried out in the UK and around 1,249 young Albanians from all walks of life for this
prosperous future.
the world.
The report informs us that young Albanians show a
research to provide a holistic and rich picture of the numerous challenges
for Albania’s youth. The
The vision of the British Council is to contribute to a next generation.
mixed balance of optimism and pessimism regarding
more peaceful and prosperous world built on trust. The project utilised innovative and participatory
We do it by building connections, understanding, and
their future in Albania. They are unhappy with the quality
of education, the current standard of living, frustrated approaches to understand the diversity of experiences nation is grappling with
trust between people in the UK and around the world.
Young people remain at the core of our mission, and
with politics (two thirds have little trust in it) and show
less meaningful engagement in the community.
and values of Albanian youth. These included a
landscape analysis of existing literature and a nationally significant economic
engaging with them through all our programmes in
Arts and Culture, Education and English is important Another concern remains the high number of young
representative survey of 1,155 respondents (with an
integrated booster sample to ensure representativity
challenges, coupled
for us to promote open and inclusive societies. people who see opportunities for a better life outside of marginalised groups). These quantitative techniques with notable political
Albania. The report highlights that three quarters
Next Generation Albania was commissioned in
2022, which was a significant year for the UK and
of the young people who aspire to migrate have a
were combined with qualitative data from an online
community, one-on-one youth immersion sessions,
and societal uncertainty
master’s degree, flagging that “Brain Drain” continues and youth workshops for collaboration and consensus
Albania, as we celebrated the centenary of diplomatic
to be one of the main challenges for the future of building. Throughout the project, a Youth Task Force
relations. That same year we signed a landmark joint
Albania. The report tells us that the key drivers for this composed of youth experts and thought leaders
communique to widen and deepen the already strong
pessimism and migration are (a lack of) employment, remained our constant collaborators to support the
bilateral relations.
low wages, and a lack of quality education. This report research, providing guidance, expertise, and inputs.
Youth was one of the key priority areas of that is therefore also a call to action.
agreement. As it was signed, we were witnessing an These viewpoints have been documented during a
Working on this fascinating report has been remarkable. period of numerous challenges for Albania’s youth.
invigorated discourse on migration and UK-Albania
We would like to thank the teams at M&C Saatchi World The nation is grappling with significant economic
relations. Albania has come a long way since its
Services and IDRA Research and Consulting, the Next challenges, coupled with notable political and societal
transition to democracy in the early 1990s, and it
Generation Albania Task Force, the British Council, uncertainty due to a wave of internal and international
has made significant progress in all areas of life.
and of course the young Albanians involved for their migration from the country, reminiscent of the post-
According to the Youth Progress Index 2023, Albania
dedication and hard work to bring this report to you. communist wave in 1991.1 Additionally, significant
stands among the three top countries in the world
Their expertise, insights, and commitment to Albania’s difficulties in the employment sector challenge young
with the most significant progress over the 12 past
future have been invaluable. We would like to express Albanians’ outlooks on future security. The response
years. This piece of research was commissioned to
our special gratitude to the British Ambassador in to these circumstances holds immense importance,
analyse these developments, as well as the change of
Albania, His Excellency Alastair King-Smith, and the particularly because young individuals are both greatly
trajectory in Albania, and insodoing amplify the voice
team at the British Embassy in Tirana for their precious affected by these issues and possess the potential
of those who will build the future of the country.
support throughout the process. to drive change. This juncture represents a pivotal
Throughout our journey to complete this fascinating moment for Albania, with the decisions made now
We hope you enjoy reading the report as much as
report, we were inspired by the power, energy and significantly shaping the nation’s future.
we have. We strongly believe this evidence-based
the potential of young Albanians to create the future
document will be a catalyst for action and collective
they strive for. They remain resolute regardless of the
effort for us all to engage in constructive dialogue,
challenges they face as young individuals in the labour
and take actions in shaping long-lasting, inclusive, and
market, and given the political and societal uncertainty
prosperous actions for a sustainable Albania.
due to migration. It is also encouraging that three
quarters of the youth in this research feel empowered
to decide on their own future. Majlinda Mazelliu
Deputy Director Western Balkans,
Next Generation Albania offers interesting
Director Albania and Kosovo, British Council
comparisons with other recent Next Generation
studies such as in Poland, where the life of today’s Next Generation Albania Task Force Members
1
Carletto, C., Davis, B., Stampini, M., & Zezza, A. (2006). A country on the move: International migration in post-communist Albania.
The International Migration Review, 40(4), 767–785.
 6 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 7

Summary of findings
Albanian youth are experiencing a Social marginalisation: significant Education: the quality of education
shift from collective to increasingly perceived discrimination based on sexual and preparedness for employment
individualist and personal values orientation, disability, and race/ethnicity dominate concerns
Our research, including the Next Generation survey Beyond the social repercussions of discrimination, While Albania has made substantial progress in its To address these concerns, recommendations include
and qualitative deep dives, has identified three pivotal marginalised communities in Albania, including youth education reforms, challenges remain. Perceptions of incorporating soft skills training into the curriculum,
influences shaping the value systems of Albanian with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, and members the quality of education are mixed both in terms of establishing partnerships with employers for internships
youth: 1) the family, 2) economic challenges driving of the Roma and Egyptian communities, have borne the current quality of education and improvement. and apprenticeships, enhancing career counselling
an increasing trend toward individualism and social the brunt of the country’s economic challenges. We found a declining trend in perceptions of education services, and expanding teacher training programs.
comparison, and 3) social media, which exacerbates According to a European Commission report, this has quality, with only 32% of respondents in our Next Additionally, there is a call for promoting diversity
feelings of comparison, negatively affecting the mental exacerbated unemployment, which is particularly high Generation study agreeing that ‘the quality of education, focusing on entrepreneurial skills, and
health and self-perception of young Albanians. among women, young people, Roma and Egyptians, education is good’,5 compared to satisfaction levels of addressing regional disparities in education access
and those with disabilities.4 These marginalised groups 55% in 2015 and 38% in 2019.6 When asked whether and attainment.
In line with trends observed in former communist
often face limited access to essential resources, the ‘quality of education in Albania is improving’,
Southeast European nations, the social identities and
pervasive mental health issues, and encounters with 34% disagree compared to just 30% who do agree –
values of young Albanians are undergoing a significant
discrimination in their everyday lives. Additionally, equal showing that overall scepticism remains significant
transformation from altruistic, collective values towards
access to education remains a persistent issue. over the performance and improvement of the
a focus on personal dignity.2 When prompted in the
education system in the country.
Next Generation survey, just over a third (34%) of young Our Next Generation survey data highlights relatively
people considered ‘honesty’ as their most significant low awareness of discrimination among young A pressing concern is the education system’s ability
value, followed closely by ‘personal dignity’ by just Albanians, with 50% acknowledging discrimination to prepare youth for employment. Views on this matter
under a quarter (24%) of respondents. based on disability, 48% on sexual orientation, and 45% are divided, with just over a third of participants
on ‘Race/Ethnic background’ group. Our survey also believing that education equips young people well
Importance placed on community-focused values has
uncovers other forms of discrimination, including those for work (38%) and life (39%), while nearly one-
seen a relative decrease. Values like tolerance (5%),
related to gender, economic status, and political beliefs, third feel otherwise (32%). Career counselling is not
religious faith (1%), rule of law (4%), and hospitality (2%)
which are significant concerns. widespread, meaning that most young people are not
are the least likely to be selected as the most important
well informed on career options and next steps on
by this generation’s youth. This contrast is notable when Young people with disabilities express concerns
career development, particularly in Northern regions,
compared to Albania’s historical values and culture, about inadequate infrastructure, isolation, and job
with young people in these areas being the least
centred on trust, hospitality, and obligation to others.3 insecurity, while Roma youth face challenges like high
likely to report receiving such support. Additionally,
Despite the prevalence of traditional values in rural unemployment, stigmatisation, and early marriages.
the lack of practical work experience and internship
areas, the shift towards the personal is also seen among To address these issues, suggested improvements
opportunities in Albania leaves many young people
rural youth due to economic pressures and lack of include inclusive representation in institutions,
without previous work experience, making their access
opportunities and well-paying jobs in rural regions. enforcing job security for people with disabilities,
to employment difficult.
promoting community engagement, offering tailored
support for education and employment, and Equipping Albanian youth with foundational soft skills,
enhancing local infrastructure accessibility. particularly communication skills (34%), is seen as
crucial for employment. Overall, respondents identify
soft skills as main contributors to success in the
job market, which may need to be more holistically
developed in the education system to ensure that
young people feel prepared to enter employment.

2
Flere, S., Hurrelmann, K., Klanjšek, R., Lavrič, M., Reimbold, H., Taleski, D. (2015). Lost in democratic transition? Political challenges and
perspectives for young people in south east Europe. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
3
Schwandner-Sievers, S. (1999). Humiliation and reconciliation in northern Albania: The logics of feuding in symbolic and diachronic perspectives.
Sociologus, Supplement 1, 133-152.
4
European Commission. (2020). Albania 2020 Report: Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the
5
31% of our Next Generation respondents disagree, and 37% neither agree nor disagree.
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Author. 6
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
 8 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 9

Employment: lack of opportunities, Migration: motivated by a quest for better Life in Albania has improved compared to
low wages, and mixed interest employment, contributing to the highest the previous generation’s experience, but
in entrepreneurship brain drain in Europe the standard of living still leaves more to
Albania has transitioned from one of Europe’s Since the 1990s, Albania has experienced significant be desired
poorest nations to achieving upper-middle-income migration, both internationally and internally, a trend
status, attributed to the implementation of substantial that remains highly relevant today. On average, around Over three-quarters (78%) of our Next Generation
structural reforms aiming to promote equitable 42,000 people leave the country each year, making respondents believe that the lives of today’s youth
growth, enhance productivity and competitiveness Albania the leader in migration rates in Central and surpass those of their parents. This sentiment is
in the economy, create job opportunities, improve Eastern Europe relative to its population.7 closely tied to the sense of economic opportunity and
governance and public service delivery. freedom enjoyed by the post-communist generation,
In our survey, 65% of young Albanians expressed enabling them to prioritise aspects of life beyond work.
Despite this promising backdrop, unemployment, low a willingness to move to another country. Of those However, it’s worth noting that the importance of work
wages, and poverty remain key concerns for young willing to move, almost eight out of 10 respondents remains a shared value across generations.
Albanians. Over eight in ten respondents (83%) believe (79%) indicated they intend to move for employment Nevertheless, a significant portion of respondents,
low wages are the biggest challenge faced by young opportunities. Factors such as economic constraints, nearly one in five, still perceive their lives as worse
people in employment in Albania. In addition, there limited prospects in their home regions, and a desire for than their parents’, pointing towards the economic
are significant concerns about nepotism, lack of international experiences drive the intent to emigrate, marginalisation experienced by some youth.
transparency and influence of informal connections particularly among rural youth, and youth in the
when looking and applying for jobs. The mismatch Northern region. Despite progress, when assessing their standards of
between educational output and labour market living, nearly twice as many young Albanians perceive
Albania faces the highest human flight and brain it as ‘bad’, as opposed to ‘good’ (34% vs. 19%), with
demand means that even well-educated youth
drain levels in Europe, with a substantial proportion almost half (47%) indicating that it falls somewhere in
struggle to find employment.
of highly educated individuals seeking employment between. Insights from qualitative research consistently
However, experiences of difficulty obtaining abroad. Three-quarters of our Next Generation survey point to the rising cost of living and stagnant salaries as
formal employment has not translated to strong respondents with Master’s or Bachelor’s degrees contributors to the declining standard of living.
entrepreneurialism amongst Albanian youth. expressed an intention to emigrate for employment
According to our survey, young Albanians demonstrate opportunities.8 The economic impact on the country is Participants’ outlook on Albania’s future reflects a
varying levels of interest in starting a business within significant – estimated by The Westminster Foundation balanced mix of optimism and pessimism regardless
the next five years, with 38% expressing interest and for Democracy to represent a loss of approximately of age, urban or rural residence, and gender.
44% indicating a lack of interest. Young men, youth from €559 million annually.9 Key concerns of low wages, escalating living costs,
Southern regions, and those with the highest levels of and limited job prospects remain. However, there is a
Tackling youth migration is a key focus of the prevailing sense of belief and positivity regarding the
educational attainment report the highest interest in
Government of Albania, and increased efforts are country’s potential for advancement, contingent on
starting a business. The primary perceived obstacle
being introduced to provide opportunities for young the younger generation choosing to stay in Albania.
hindering business start-up is the deficiency in skills and
people to stay in the country. Our Next Generation A notable trend that fuels hope and optimism, as
experience (39%), followed by lack of financial support
respondents present a clear picture for what needs to evidenced in the qualitative data, is the surge in
(23%) and information (17%).
change for more young people to stay in the country sectors such as tourism. This phenomenon is viewed
To positively support young people, recommendations – young people need to feel adequately remunerated as a promising opportunity to challenge and reshape
include strengthening anti-nepotism hiring policies, for their work and offered relevant opportunities for international stereotypes associated with Albania and
improving access to employment search support, employment, entrepreneurialism, and mentoring. provide an opportunity for economic growth.
creating job opportunities for marginalised youth,
promoting mentoring programs, expanding support Young people are clear about the structural support
for entrepreneurship, and enhancing access to finance needed to shape a more optimistic future. Greater
initiatives. Additionally, measures to provide affordable investment in tourism, infrastructure, personal
and accessible transportation, particularly for regions development, internships, practical and vocational
with limited job opportunities and for people with education, well-paid employment, and greater
disabilities, are crucial for labour market integration. representation of youth voices and issues are cited
as the foundation to improving these issues.

7
INSTAT. (2022). The population of Albania. Author. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/the-population-of-
albania/#:~:text=Decreasing%20population,2011%20has%20decreased%20by%203.9%20%25
8
This is of the 67% of Master’s and 62% of Bachelor students who are willing to move.
9
Westminster Foundation for Democracy. (2019). Cost of Youth Emigration in the Western Balkans. Author.
10 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 11

‘’
Political engagement: young Albanians are Youth voice in the community: engaged, Global outlook dominated by pragmatic
politically frustrated around youth voices but in a fading sense of community and economic considerations
not being heard and the inability of the
political system to represent their voices
Young Albanians, particularly in rural areas, and Young Albanians show pragmatism when evaluating While scepticism
toward politics exists,
Roma and Egyptian youth, show a notable level of Albania’s global relationships with the UK and the EU.
A prevailing sentiment of distrust in political parties, engagement in community life, although the concept Recent diplomatic relations with the UK and discourse
candidates, and the electoral system is pervasive of a closely-knit community has diminished over the
years. Most young individuals display some degree
on migration has increased caution on perceptions of
UK-Albania relations, with young people increasingly
it does not translate
among Albanian youth. Markedly, 65% express little
or no trust in the political system. This scepticism is of affiliation with their local communities, with 76% focused on ensuring accurate portrayals of Albanians to disengagement
notably pronounced among central, rural, Egyptian,
and unemployed youth.
expressing a sense of belonging, varying from feeling
‘somewhat,’ ‘very much,’ or ‘a part’ of their local
on the global stage.
Regarding the relationship between the EU and Albania,
from national and
Contrary to prior studies indicating political disinterest
community. However, approximately one-quarter (24%)
show weaker connections, stating that they ‘do not feel
despite a historically positive outlook, some young community affairs
and apathy among Albanian youth, the prevailing Albanians perceive it as complicated, with challenges
at all’ or feel ‘not much a part’ of their local community.
sentiment is one of political frustration rather than relating to Albania’s efforts and the EU’s dealing with
disinterest. Previous research, including a 2015 study Our research suggests that youth engagement in Albania’s application for membership.
where only 28% of 18-27-year-olds claimed to vote community activities is mainly centred around social
When it comes to global issues, climate change is
consistently, and a 2018-19 study where 62% expressed events, accounting for 53% of respondents involved
a key challenge for Albania. The country faces a
no interest in politics, may not fully capture the current in community participation. Development activities,
heightened susceptibility to the impacts of climate
sentiment. In our study, 55% of young people aged such as environmental upkeep and community
change, including floods, droughts, forest fires, and
18-30 report feeling very disengaged with politics. maintenance, constitute 16% of participation.
landslides especially given its infrastructure needs
However, a closer look at both quantitative and Qualitative insights shed light on the reluctance of
and impoverished rural areas.11 Despite Albania’s
qualitative data reveals a sense of frustration around some young Albanians to actively participate in their
climate vulnerability, youngsters showcase a degree
youth voices not being heard and a variety of day-to- local communities linked to the diminishing concept
of hesitancy concerning the impact of climate change,
day actions that young people undertake relating to of a closely united community over the years.
with only one in four (40%) expressing concerns,
politics, although they may not define it that way. Most young people believe they have the potential suggestion a need for increased awareness and
While scepticism toward politics exists, it does to voice their opinions in the community, but they education of climate risks. Understandably, immediate
not translate to disengagement from national and harbour doubts about the extent to which their input challenges, such as employment and the economy,
community affairs. When asked about specific activities, will be acknowledged and integrated into decision- overshadow climate concerns.
51% of young people reported participating in at least making processes. Only 4% of our Next Generation
Young Albanians acknowledge the government’s
one political activity in the past year. survey respondents are actively involved in community
efforts, including the introduction of various climate-
planning and decision-making. Ethnic minorities and
The frustration around youth voices not being related initiatives and strategies and welcome
those with lower educational attainment are less likely
heard may be linked with relatively limited youth government action and expect that technological
to engage in these activities. This reflects the need for
representation within political parties or the advancements and cleaner technologies will help
trust in institutions and leaders to motivate youth to
government. In the 2017 parliamentary elections, mitigate pollution and address environmental concerns.
participate in community affairs.
for example, only 5% of young people reached However, they predominantly agree that substantial
parliamentary positions, despite 32% of the youth To enhance youth involvement in local communities, and effective change in tackling climate change needs
being nominated initially.10 suggested actions include promoting youth global policies, government action, and engagement
engagement in projects, increasing funding for local from societal “elites.”
The study also reveals a limited awareness of youth youth centres, building trust in community leaders,
forums and the National Youth Congress, by just over encouraging youth volunteering, and creating
a quarter of young respondents (27%). opportunities for youth leadership within local
A significant recommendation arising from this Next government units.
Generation programme is the imperative to bolster
the reach and influence of local youth councils across
Albania. These councils are seen as pivotal platforms
for enhancing young people’s involvement in political
decision-making processes, with a need to ensure
genuine representation and recognition of young
voices during these deliberations.

11
Republic of Albania (2016). Third National Communication of the Republic of Albania under the United Nations Framework
10
Partners Albania for Development and Change. (2018). Youth political participation in Albania. Convention on Climate Change. URL: https://www.undp.org/albania/publications/third-national-communication-united-nations-
Author. https://www.partnersalbania.org/publication/youth-political-participation-2018/ framework-convention-climate-change
12 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 13

Introducing the research

Throughout this research, our esteemed Next Berat and Gjirokastër. As a result of a strict stratification
Generation Albania Youth Task Force has been and probability approach, and sampling quotas based
our constant collaborator at key junctures of the on Census data from INSTAT,15 the breakdown of young
programme. Their insights, expertise and reflections people is in line with the Census across age, gender,
have been invaluable to the shaping of the study and regions, and urbanity from the survey and the available
exploration of the key challenges youth face today. Census data, with very minor deviations at a maximum
About Next Generation research Albania’s youth are pragmatically optimistic about their of 2.7%. Below is a breakdown of the sample by region,
futures and the future of their country, keenly aware Young Albanians in this research mirroring the national spread of 18–29-year-olds per
The British Council’s flagship Next Generation series of the challenges the country faces, but readied with Census data.16
aims to understand the needs, potential, and aspirations Next Generation Albania defined ‘young Albanians’ as
a set of solutions to tackle them. Recognising how far those aged 18 to 29 years old, currently living in Albania.
of young people globally and seeks to analyse the Our sample was recruited through both face-to-face
Albania has come since their parents’ generation, young
conditions that support young people and allow them to Given regional disparities in development patterns, methods and via IDRA’s own online platform, an online
Albanians can see a path to a more optimistic future.
reach their potential as fulfilled, productive, and active especially between the Capital, Tirana, and the rest survey panel (thought to be the only poll panel in
Understanding the future young people want to see for
citizens. Next Generation reports look at young people’s of Albania,14 it was particularly important to speak the Albanian market) created by IDRA to expand
Albania and the actions to affect that change is crucial
views on a wide range of aspects such as education, to young Albanians dispersed across the country to market research and surveys through online means.
now more than ever.
employment, political engagement, lifestyle, hopes understand their varied experiences and perspectives. Most of the project (90%) consisted of the face-to-
and fears, values and beliefs, international outlook, and Our research explored six main themes: For the nationally representative quantitative survey, face method. Across both methodologies, we spoke
opinions on the wider world. At the heart of this series is we spoke to 1,155 respondents in Albania aged 18-29 to a nationally representative mix of age and gender
• Values and influences: What are key influences
a commitment to exploring youth voice and choice, with years old across all twelve regions of Tirana, Elbasan, and had representative numbers of participants from
guiding young Albanians’ value systems?
a view to achieving three main aims: Vlorë, Korçë, Dibër, Kukës, Durrës, Shkodër, Fier, Lezhë, each location.
What matters the most to this generation’s
1. Exploring young people’s attitudes and aspirations, youngsters? How do they navigate information,
and how the changes around them form their life news, and social media platforms? Which sources
choices and constructs their worldviews. do they think are trustworthy?
2. Amplifying youth voice by placing youth in the spotlight. • Lived experience and perceptions: What are the
Map 1. Breakdown of respondents by region
perceptions and daily experiences of young adults
3. Supporting better youth policymaking by ensuring
in Albania? What routines and activities shape their
their voices are represented in decisions that may
daily lives? How do they view their lives in
have lasting implications on their lives.
comparison to those of their parents and peers?
The British Council commissioned M&C Saatchi What levels of optimism do they hold for the future? Shkodër: 6% Kukës: 3%
World Services, and IDRA Research & Consulting, What are the biggest issues affecting young people
to conduct Next Generation Albania – the first of today? What is the impact of these challenges on
the Next Generation series to be conducted in the young people’s lives?
Lezhë: 4%
Western Balkans. Next Generation Albania provides • Engagement in society and amplifying voices: Dibër: 5%
a distinct, maiden opportunity to gather in-depth To what extent are young adults involved in the civic
Durrës: 9%
insights into the lives of Albanian youth as they face a and political aspects of Albania? What aspirations do
unique set of challenges, as well as providing a platform they hold regarding their impact on their community, Tirana: 30%
for developing plans for subsequent Next Generation country, and the global stage? How do they interpret Elbasan: 17%
studies in the Western Balkan region. the evolving dynamics within the Albanian society,
and how does this impact their commitment to civic Fier: 9%
At the time of this research, young Albanians are Korçë: 7%
engagement and social involvement? Berat: 5%
faced with a crippling cost-of-living-crisis,12 high
unemployment levels, perceptions of political • Global outlook: What attitudes do young people 25%
corruption and migration trends reminiscent of hold toward foreign countries, and how have their Vlorë: 5% 20%
the 1997 post-communist wave.13 Accordingly, the experiences with other countries and cultures— Gjirokastër: 2%
15%
primary objective of this research study is to provide through education, travel, etc.—shaped their
10%
an understanding of young Albanians’ perceptions, perspectives? How do they envision Albania’s
relationship with the UK, the EU, and the broader 5%
aspirations, priorities, and key needs in this context.
This will not only serve as a comprehensive reference global context, both presently and in the
point for the experiences of young Albanians, but also foreseeable future?
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
support the British Council’s ability to understand, • Policy needs: What policy initiatives are essential to
develop, and advocate youth-based interventions empower young individuals throughout Albania,
across the development sector and within policy enabling them to reach their potential as active,
making circles. creative, and fulfilled citizens? 14
Dumani, B., Nurja, I., Subashi, B., Dumani, N. (2020). Regional Inequality of Economic and Social Developments in Albania. Journal of
Interdisciplinary Studies. www.researchgate.net/publication/342965508_Regional_Inequality_of_Economic_and_Social_
Developments_in_Albania.
15
INSTAT. (2011). Main Results of population and housing census. www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/censuses/census-of-population-and-
housing/publikimet/2011/publications-of-population-and-housing-census-2011
12
Economist Intelligence Unit. (2023). Albania Economy, Politics and GDP Growth Summary. 16
INSTAT. (2011). Main Results of population and housing census. www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/censuses/census-of-population-and-
13
Westminster Foundation for Democracy. (2019). Cost of Youth Emigration in the Western Balkans. housing/publikimet/2011/publications-of-population-and-housing-census-2011
14 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 15

To ensure we spoke with marginalised and hard-to- Overall, we engaged 1,249 young Albanians for this Our approach 3. Workstream 3 -
reach youth segments which, by virtue of their minority research. The national sample of n=1,155 respondents Online community platform:
status, are not typically easily captured in a nationally was calculated with a margin error of ±3.10% and To achieve and accurately address the objectives
representative survey, we introduced boost samples. confidence interval level of 95%. This means that the and research questions of Next Generation Albania, We used the collaborative, qualitative capabilities
As such, the main national sample was made up of results of the survey are expected to deviate from we implemented an iterative, participatory, and mixed- of an online community platform which enabled
1005 respondents, with an additional 150 respondent the actual population parameters by no more than method approach, with research taking place over engagement with youth audiences and the generation
boost for marginalised groups. We selected two main 3.10 percentage points in either direction. This level five key workstreams: of quick turnaround results. The online community
sub-groups for the boost sample: participants from of precision is appropriate for drawing meaningful was active for two weeks, with 20 youth participants
the Roma and Egyptian community and participants conclusions and making accurate inferences about the 1. Workstream 1 - Landscape analysis involved. The FlexMR platform was used, which
with disabilities. The former is suggested due to being attitudes, behaviours, and opinions of young people in including a literature review and key provides a variety of methods to explore emerging
themes from Workstreams 1 and 2 through a range of
the largest minority ethnic/racial groups (<2% of the Albania. A 95% level of confidence is widely promoted informant interviews:
national population). In addition to Roma communities in statistical practice as it provides a balance methodologies such as focus group discussions, digital
and youth with disabilities, we integrated other between precision and practicality. It ensures a high A comprehensive review of published research diaries and ‘a day in a life’ exercise.
intersectional characteristics to ensure coverage of likelihood that the survey results accurately reflect the (contextual analysis, relevant statistics, and insights)
marginalised youth, including areas with high level population characteristics. on the attitudes, aspirations, and behaviours of young 4. Workstream 4 - One-on-one youth
people in Albania, including differences by ethnicity,
of deprivation, women and girls, unemployed/under- immersion sessions:
employed and youth with low or no education. As we gender, disability, socio-economic grouping and by
geography. Workstream 1 consisted primarily of a Going beyond traditional qualitative in-depth
provide intersectional analysis of subgroups, inevitably
review of existing literature as well as eight key interviews (IDIs), we conducted one-on-one human-
the insights are gleaned from smaller base numbers.
informant interviews (KIIs) with key stakeholders - centred design (HCD) exercises with 18 individuals
To ensure statistical relevance, we have omitted any
defined as ‘young leaders’ within their communities aged 18-29 with a focus on marginalised and
intersectional analysis with base numbers lower than
– locally and nationally – to take part and guide the underrepresented groups. Each immersion session
n=20. Additionally, where relevant we provide the base
research at the initial stages. lasted up to two hours. The HCD approach is explicitly
numbers in the report text, to contextualise results.
focused on facilitating discussion in an empathetic
The quantitative data provided us a comprehensive In this phase, we identified four dimensions of the
and empowering way and using an ethnographic
baseline to understand the youth landscape, however Albanian youth landscape which we deemed as
approach which emphasises building trust and
our qualitative workstreams gave space to deep dive, imperative preliminary research avenues:
understanding between the researcher and the
uncover, and hear the full story from young Albanians. • Demographics: The make-up of Albanian youth participant in the pursuit of a holistic understanding of
We spoke to a diverse sample of 94 young Albanians including present and future patterns and trends, participants as situated within their cultural context.
in each key geographic region in all our qualitative as well as marginalised youth groups. This workstream aims to uncover rich insights relating
workstreams. In each region, respondents were spread • Identity and belonging: How Albanian youth to youth life priorities, perceived roles in communities,
evenly across rural and urban locations to capture feel about their place in society and their voices opportunities to exercise their voice, and barriers to
the diversity of youth experiences living in different being heard. education and employment.
environments. Throughout this, we ensured a mix of
• Engagement: The extent to which young
socio-economic status, ethnicities, gender, and disability.
Albanians are and/or feel involved in civic,
5. Workstream 5 - Group workshops:
political, economic, and social life, and their We conducted six participatory workshops each
perceptions of such. with eight participants lasting two hours. The youth
• Progress and the future: Youth concerns, workshops provide a foundation for interrogating
perceived barriers, opportunities, and aspirations topics and themes arising from Workstream 2
for the future. and complemented insights generated through
Workstreams 3 and 4. The workshops used the
2. Workstream 2 - participatory action research (PAR) approach to
Nationally representative survey: work with participants, not on participants.

A 40-minute online or face-to-face interview capturing The PAR approach emphasises collaboration between
all key data points on young people’s outlooks, researchers and participants to define and understand
priorities, and perceived barriers to success, situations as they are experienced by a particular
particularly focusing on the Next Generation pillars group. As such, workshops were designed to empower
of education, employment, digital and media, politics, participants to build relationships, find consensus,
and overall aspirations. This database allows horizontal collectively define barriers and opportunities,
(across countries) and longitudinal (across time) map their communication assets, and plan future
comparisons, presenting a huge asset for future collaboration to use these assets to achieve change.
studies. We included and expanded upon the Next
Generation standardised survey template, alongside
additional lines of questioning.
16 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 17

Stakeholder engagement in this research

To foster research engagement and involvement
throughout the process and ensure input from
pertinent individuals at key junctures, we incorporated
four distinct stakeholder engagement opportunities
spanning the research lifecycle. These engagements
began shortly after the project kick off and extended
through to the final reporting of findings.
Various institutions, including those in government,
education, arts, entrepreneurialism, digital skills, and
youth leadership, were represented in the Task Force,
providing the research expert and holistic perspectives.

Report structure
The report is structured in four parts. We start the
report with a comprehensive overview of young
Albanians in context, looking at key challenges
and previous research identified in our landscape
analysis. This provides a situated picture from which to
understand and interpret the Next Generation findings.
The rest of the report then flows to explore the
perceptions and attitudes of young Albanians from the
Next Generation primary and exploratory research,
exploring the factors influencing their views and
engagement with the broader society.
Chapter 1 – The Albanian context
Chapter 2 - Young Albanians’ economic concerns and
aspirations for the future
Chapter 3 – Youth values and influences
Chapter 4 – Political outlook and engagement
Chapter 5 – Youth engagement
Chapter 6 – Global outlook
The concluding section of the report outlines a set of
strategic recommendations concerning institutional,
policy, and programmatic responses based on the
insights garnered throughout the research programme.
We provide an intersectional analysis of demographic
differences among key audiences including gender,
age, region, ethnicity and disability alongside
employment and education status.
18 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 19

Chapter 1
The Albanian context
The following section provides an overview of 1.2. Population 1.4. Economy 1.5. Political and media context
key Albanian context to lay the foundation for
understanding the perspectives of Albania’s next The Albanians constitute an ethnic group Economically, Albania’s progress over the years The early 1990s marked a pivotal phase for Albania
generation, considering recent changes and its indigenous to the Balkan Peninsula, unified by shared is noteworthy. Once ranked among Europe’s most as it transitioned from an isolated communist regime
historical post-communist landscape. Albanian heritage, culture, history, and language. impoverished nations, the country has made to embrace a multiparty democracy. As with any
Albania exhibits significant linguistic homogeneity, remarkable strides to position itself within the middle- significant transformation, this shift was accompanied
with ethnic Albanians representing the majority of its income category.23 This transformation is not just a by challenges ranging from unemployment and
1.1. Geography populace.18 Three groups — Greeks, Macedonians, testament to its resilience but also to its commitment corruption to infrastructural bottlenecks. However, the
Albania, nestled in the heart of southern Europe, and Montenegrins — are officially acknowledged to growth and reform. Current endeavours are focused subsequent years witnessed Albania’s determined
offers a strategic location on the western part of the in Albania as national minorities. The Roma and on aligning more intricately with the European Union’s march towards a fair democratic process, with the
Balkan Peninsula. It shares borders with Montenegro, Vlachs/Aromanians receive recognition on linguistic integration objectives. The nation’s ability to bounce elections of the late 1990s and beyond receiving
Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. To the west and or cultural grounds, whereas the Egyptians do not back, even in the face of adversity like earthquakes, international affirmation for their integrity. The nation’s
southwest, it is surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian attain any formal recognition. According to the 2011 pandemics, and fluctuating global prices, became current reformist agenda is driven by strong leaders,
seas, with Italy just 50 miles away.17 Census, 97.8% of the country’s inhabitants identified evident between 2021 and 2022. It was during this President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama,
as ethnically Albanian, a figure that several local and period that sectors such as tourism, construction, known for his unwavering advocacy for the rapid EU
international entities have debated.19 The gender and extractive industries spearheaded an economic integration of the Western Balkans.25 The aspiration of
distribution revealed 50.2% of the population as resurgence. However, the shadows of challenges like Albania to integrate more closely with the European
male and 49.8% as female, with 53.7% residing an escalating public debt and looming inflationary Union has been a significant theme in recent years –
in urban areas.20 While 98.76% of the populace tendencies and unemployment cannot be ignored.24 and accelerated by the current geopolitical context –
declares Albanian as their native tongue, other resulting in talks formally commencing in 2022.26
languages, including Greek, Romani, Aromanian,
While television remains the dominant medium in
and Macedonian, are also in use. In terms of
Albania’s media landscape, the rise of the internet
religious affiliation, Albania primarily comprises
is steadily reshaping the narrative, even though the
followers of Islam (59%), Roman Catholicism (10%),
spectre of self-censorship looms occasionally due to
and Eastern Orthodoxy (7%).21
vested media ownership interests.27 The transition
from communism has ushered in a myriad of societal
1.3. Timeline changes, mirrored in the values, beliefs, and attitudes
Albania’s history since gaining independence of today’s generation. Understanding the values of
in 1912 has seen significant shifts, from early young Albanians today provides invaluable insight into
Ottoman rule to periods of monarchy and foreign the guiding principles that inform the behaviours and
occupation.22 The 20th century brought communist decision making of this generation.
rule under Enver Hoxha, followed by a transition
to democracy and efforts to join international
organisations like NATO and the EU. These historical
changes highlight Albania’s ongoing evolution and
aspirations for the future.

17
BBC. (2023). Albania country profile. Author. www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17679574
18
INSTAT. (2016). Population of Albania. Author. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/demography-and-social-indicators/population/
publication/2016/population-of-albania-1-january-2016/
19
INSTAT. (2011). Population and housing census. Author. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/censuses/census-of-population-and-
23
World Bank. (2023). The World Bank in Albania. Author. www.worldbank.org/en/country/albania/overview
housing/#:~:text=Census%20%2D%202011,the%20community%20and%20business%20users 24
World Bank. (2023). The World Bank in Albania. Author. www.worldbank.org/en/country/albania/overview
20
INSTAT. (2016). Population of Albania. Author. https://web.archive.org/web/20171015202133/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322941/ 25
CIA. (2023). Albania. www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/albania/
press_release_population_of_albania_1_ january_2016.pdf 26
Associated Press. (2023). Western Balkan heads of state press for swift approval of their European Union membership bids.https://apnews.com/
21
Minority Rights Group International. (n.d.). World directory of minorities and indigenous peoples: Albania. Author. https://minorityrights.org/ article/western-balkans-european-union-expansion-89e8b33afeddf6136adb0bc81b65de40#:~:text=A%20joint%20declaration%20
country/albania from%20the,but%20not%20later%20than%202030.%E2%80%9D.
22
BBC. (2023). Albania country profile. Author. www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17679574 27
CIA. (2023). Albania. www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/albania
20 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 21

Chapter 2
Influences and value
2.1. What influences young and happiness. Albanian culture has always been highly
characterised by placing large value on one’s family and
Albanians’ values? ethnic heritage.28
Our Next Generation survey and qualitative deep dives
Previous Friedrich Ebert Stiftung studies in 2013 and
identified three vital influences shaping Albanian youth’s
2019 have found that most young Albanians view their
value systems:
families as a foundation of emotional and economic
• The family stability, reinforcing the significance of familial ties and
• The economic and employment landscape interdependence.29 Our Next Generation survey furthers
this, identifying the family as the primary influencer of
• Social media
young people’s views in Albania (61%), closely followed
by peers/friends (17%) (see Figure 1). This pattern
2.1.1. Family is at the heart of the fabric suggests a direct correlation between proximity of
of Albanian society and the main influencer relationships and influence on the perspectives of
of young Albanians young individuals. Indeed, qualitative discussion further
cemented the role and pervasiveness of the family,
The family is revealed to be a significant influence for where it was confirmed that “family is the base of
young Albanians across various indicators, including everything, so if you are good person in your society, it
national pride, trustworthiness (as advisors and sources is because your family raised you to be like this” (25-29,
of information), and as markers of personal success F, employed, Elbasan).

Figure 1. Who influences your views the most?

Family 61%

Peers/Friends 17%

Celebrities 6%

Teachers/Professors 6%

Other <> 3%

Politicians 3%

Journalists and the media 1%

Religious figures 1%

Historical figures 1%

Community leaders 0%

Government agencies 0%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

28
Schwandner-Sievers, S. (2008). Albanians, Albanianism and the strategic subversion of stereotypes. Anthropological Notebooks, 14(2), 47-64.
29
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”. Friedrich
Ebert Stiftung.
22 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 23

This pattern is further apparent when disaggregated When analysed by ethnic backgrounds, we indicatively Capacity for influence across young people is The clear role of the family in Albanian youth’s lives
by urbanity, as a larger proportion of rural respondents, find that those who identify as Egyptian exhibit the intrinsically intertwined with trust, as shown by nine is clear when compared with other countries in the
65%, are influenced by their family, compared to 59% highest likelihood of being influenced by their family in ten (90%) respondents expressing their trust in Southeastern Europe region, with Albanian youth
of urban respondents (Figure 2). Insights from Friedrich (76%, n=36), surpassing the influence levels observed family as a reliable source of information (Figure 3). ranking the highest trust in family at 9.79/10, only
Ebert Stiftung’s 2019 study support this dominance of among Roma respondents (54%, n=23) and Albanian Previous youth studies over the last decade strongly surpassed by Kosovo at 9.84/10.34
rural family influence. The study showed that young respondents (61%, n=653).31 A 2021 study into support this, consistently identifying the family as the
people in rural areas were twice as likely to report ‘my Egyptian and Roma Adolescents’ Perspectives on Their most trusted source of information, with generally low
parents decide about everything’ than those in urban Developmental Assets in Albania During the COVID-19 levels of trust beyond family and relative structures.33
areas (6% versus 12%). This variation in the urban/rural Pandemic supports family as a fundamental structure
divide points to a continued influence of traditionality and developmental asset for these youth.32
in rural areas in Albania’s society, which has been
widely documented.30

Figure 2. Who influences your views the most? By urbanity. Figure 3. Trustworthiness of sources of information young people use

65%
Family Family (n=392) 7% 90%
59%

16% Teachers/Professors (n=52) 13% 85%

Peers/Friends
19%
Peers/Friends (n=245) 6% 30% 63%
7%
Teachers/Professors Social media (Whatsapp) (n=191) 9% 27% 63%
7%

5% Newspapers (n=41) 17% 22% 59%

Celebrities
7%
Television (n=646) 12% 32% 55%
3%
Politicians
3% Radio (n=26) 8% 38% 54%
1%
Religious figures Social Media (Twitter) (n=60) 12% 43% 43%
0%

1% Social media (Telegram) (n=52) 25% 33% 37%

Government agencies
0%
Social media (Facebook) (n=497) 25% 42% 32%
1%
Journalists and the media Dedicated online news websites (n=143) 20% 46% 31%
1%

0% Social media (instagram) (n=628) 27% 40% 31%

Community leaders
0%
Social media (TikTok) (n=307) 35% 35% 30%
0%
Historical figures
1% Social media (Snapchat) (n=51) 35% 35% 27%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Online news aggregators (n=360) 28% 46% 26%

Rural (n=466) Urban (n=689) 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Not trustworthy Neither trustworthy nor untrustworthy Trustworthy

30
Kadiu, B., & Kadiu, E. (2018). Challenges of integration of families that have committed internal migration. European Journal of Social Sciences,
1(3), 137-147.
31
Please note that these are percentages of a small sample base number. The overall sample of Roma respondents was n=42, and the overall
sample of Egyptian respondents was n=49. The threshold for statistical significance is 20 and above. 33
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”.
32
Miconi, D., Dervishi, E., Wiium, N., Johnson-Lafleur, J., Ibrahimi, S., & Rousseau, C. (2021). Egyptian and Roma Adolescents’ Perspectives on Their Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
Developmental Assets in Albania During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of research on adolescence: The official journal of the Society for 34
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”.
Research on Adolescence, 31(3), 576–594. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
24 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 25

This emphasis on trust in the family is further There is palpable scepticism towards seeking Lack of trust in different stakeholders beyond blood Considering the significance of family influence, it is
confirmed through the social network mapping assistance from political parties, other community connections has been attributed by scholars as a unsurprising that family is also considered to be key
exercise, which highlighted that family members and members, and institutions such as the police. consequence of the communist system, as “the citizens to the Albanian identity. Our Next Generation survey
close acquaintances emerge as the most trustworthy Supporting this, a study from the Institute for of post-communist societies trust their relatives and reveals that family is the driving force of Albanian pride.
sources for life advice across domains such as Democracy and Mediation emphasised that “trust on friends more, and the people in general less.”36 As we When asked what factors make young people proud to
employment, financial support, crime response, the family and relatives is [in Albania] in relatively high can see anecdotally in the below examples, institutions be a citizen of Albania, ‘family’ is clearly considered the
and community engagement (Examples 1 and 2). levels, feeding a clan-based mentality, which seems to such as employment agencies and police are placed most significant factor with 37%, followed by ‘culture’
not support the trust in public institutions”.35 in the furthest social networking and trust circle from (22%) and language (15%) (see Figure 6).
young people.
Figure 4: Example 1. 25-28, F, employed, Shkoder

Figure 6. What factors make you proud to be a citizen of Albania?

Family 37%

Culture 22%

Language 15%

History 11%

Not proud to be a citizen of Albania 4%

Passport/citizenship 3%

Figure 5: Example 2. 18-24, M, Employed, Fier. Religion 2%

Employment opportunities 2%

Education system 2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

35
Institute for Democracy and Mediation. (2011). Social trust and institutional authority in the Albanian democracy.
Author. https://idmalbania.org/social-trust-and-institutional-authority-in-the-albanian-democracy 36
Sapsford, R., & Abbott, P. (2006). Trust, confidence and social environment in post-communist societies. Frontiers of Sociology, 39(1), 59-71.
26 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 27

Whilst family remains the most significant factor social and cultural systems based on kin ties and This difficult landscape is increasingly challenging increasing tendency towards individualism and looser
driving Albanian pride across urban/rural and family, reflecting their attitudes and views on the and is a key influence and shaper of young Albanians’ interrelations, with a comparatively higher score on the
regional breakdowns, we can see slight variations identity of the country.38 values, priorities, and aspirations, the consequences Individualism Index compared to an earlier Value Survey
in this investment of pride. We see that the positive of which are outlined below. Anecdotally, qualitative Module in 2013.40
significance of family is slightly stronger for those in 2.1.2. The challenging economic discussions reveal that the pervasiveness of low
rural areas, with just over four in ten rural respondents wages and youth unemployment39 is driving an 2.1.3. Social media exacerbates
landscape and lack of employment
(41%) showing the family as their source of Albanian insularity and sense of individualism among young feelings of comparison, negatively
opportunities drives increasing
pride, compared to just over one in three of urban people, who feel an increasing focus on the individual affecting young Albanians’ mental
individualism and comparison
respondents (34%) (see Figure 7). This can be related and immediate family, compared to their parents’ health and self-perception
to urban/rural cultural characteristics of Albania, Our Next Generation survey finds that the challenges generation. They suggest that whilst young people’s
Amid these economic hardships, the pervasive
where urban society is largely characterised by confronting young individuals in Albania are deeply parents’ generation would “cooperate for the greater
influence of social media acts as a magnifying glass,
more individualised ways of living and secondary rooted in economic uncertainties and limited good”, the difficulties in employment and securing a
intensifying stressors through comparison.
relationships.37 Comparatively, rural areas of Albania employment opportunities, explored further in stable wage have resulted in “everyone in competition
are often characterised by stronger communities, and Chapter 4. Experiences and expectations. about who gets a better job and the highest salary” The use of social media by Albania’s youth is
(18-24, M, Student, Tirana). Indeed, in a landscape widespread, with most young people using different
where young people “are not living, but we are trying platforms several times a day (see Table 1). Instagram,
to survive” (Young person with disabilities, F, 25-29, Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp are the most engaged
Legal specialist, Tirana), it is understandable that with platforms, often used daily. Other platforms like
Figure 7. What factors make you proud to be a citizen of Albania? By urbanity young people focus on their immediate surroundings. Pinterest, X (formally known as Twitter), Telegram, and
A recent 2020 study into how the cultural scores of Viber also show varying degrees of usage, often with a
Albania have shifted over time supports the idea of this majority using them at least a few times a week or more.
41%
Family
34%

21% Table 1: Social media use by frequency

Culture
23%

15% 1. Once 2. A few times 3. A few times 5. Several times

Language Social media platform 4. Almost daily
16% a month a month a week a day

9% Instagram (n= 628) 0% 2% 6% 11% 80%

History
13%
Facebook (n=497) 0% 4% 11% 16% 67%
3%
Religion
2% TikTok (n=307) 0% 2% 10% 9% 79%

3% WhatsApp (n=191) 0% 0% 6% 8% 86%

Passport/citizenship
3%
X (Twitter) (n=60) 2% 5% 28% 20% 43%
2%
Employment opportunities
2% Snapchat (n=51) 0% 0% 12% 12% 76%

2% Telegram (n=52) 4% 10% 23% 13% 46%

Education
2%
Viber (n=22) 0% 9% 18% 14% 59%
0% 13% 25% 38% 50%
Pinterest (n=21) 0% 19% 24% 19% 38%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155 Rural (n=466) Urban (n=689) Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

39
Uraguchi, Z. B. (2018). The future they want: Making sense of youth aspirations in East and Southeast Europe. Helvetas.
37
Fuga, A., & Dervshi, Z. (2010). Among the Village and Global Civilization, Dudaj, Tirana. www.helvetas.org/en/eastern-europe/about-us/follow-us/helvetas-mosaic/article/December2018/The-Future-They-Want
38
Titili, D., & Nikaj, I. (2023). Between rurality and urbanity: Indicators of social integration of Albanian rural to urban migrants. 40
Gjana, I. (2020). Hofstede’s culture values survey in Albania: How the cultural scores have shifted over time?
European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(2), 30-41. Journal of Innovative Business and Management, 12(1), 49-60. https://doi.org/10.32015/JIBM/2020-12-1-7.
 28 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 29

Largely, there is not much notable variation between Exposure to social media can deepen economic 2.2. The outcome of these our research builds on these values, with just over a
this frequent daily use of social media generally by worries, affecting the mental well-being and self- third (34%) of young people most significantly valuing
gender, urbanity, age, and region. However, by platform, perception of young people.
influences: Young Albanians’ value ‘honesty’ when prompted in our Next Generation
we can see trends, where Snapchat is most often used systems and identity survey, followed by ‘personal dignity’ for just under a
A common theme across focus group discussions
by young men, those aged 18-24, and urban youth, and quarter (24%) (see Table 2).
with young people is the feeling of hopelessness as a The balance of traditional influences of family, and
X (Twitter) is used more often by rural youth.41
result of considering their peers, “constantly comparing contemporary influences and pressures of the Building on the fluctuation of the social identity and
Young people also use social media to get information ourselves to other countries in the world and this economic situation and comparison on social media values of young people, it is also interesting to note
on news and current events. Whilst television emerges leads us to despair” (25-29, M, Employed in audio and produce an interesting value landscape, with shifting the relative lack of importance placed on community
as the prominent source of information (23%), this video production industry, Tirana). Linked to this is values and increased significance of the personal. focused values. Values such as tolerance (5%), religious
is closely followed by social media, with a hierarchy the concern that the constant availability of content The following section explores this shift in detail. faith (1%), rule of law (4%) and hospitality (2%) are least
of platforms. Facebook is the dominant platform for and comparison on social media is driving perpetual likely to be selected as most important, contrasting with
information at 19%, trailed by Instagram at 10%, and competition and anxiety, negatively affecting the 2.2.1. A shift from collectivist historical values and culture of Albania such as “Besa”,
TikTok at 6%. This cascade indicates a preference for holistic well-being of the youth and encouraging young to increasingly individualist and a traditional honour code centred on trust, hospitality,
platforms that deliver news content in a manner familiar people with “unprecedented competition. Every person personal values and obligation to their “guest” (miku).45
to the audience (see Figure 8). It is noteworthy that no wants to earn money quickly, do things quickly, and this
A significant example of a critical shift in the values Considering the top values deemed important by
robust statistically significant gender, age, regional mentality makes people anxious.” (18-24, F, University
young Albanians hold is the emphasis placed on young Albanian women and men, it is important to
or urban/rural bias exists in terms of preference for student, Gjirokastër).
altruistic values. Between 2011 and 2014, their highlight that the overall top three values are ranked
specific information sources.
importance dramatically waned, with values such very similarly, with the largest deviation at 2%. However,
as tolerance and altruism witnessing a decline.42 young women are more likely to value tolerance (70%
Core values show a notable emphasis on personal female versus 30% male), and work ethic (60% female
dignity as a primary principle, which aligns with versus 40% male). Young men are more likely to rate
Figure 8. When looking at news and current events, where do you get your information? observations made across former communist hospitality (60% male versus 40% female), and rule of
Southeast European nations, suggesting shared law (58% male versus 42% female). This suggests an
cultural and societal foundations.43 Whilst personal enduring traditionality across young Albanian men, with
dignity has repeatedly emerged as the key value continued value in historical values of Albania.
Television 23% across Albanian youth across various studies,44

Social media (Facebook) 19%

Online news aggregators 14%

Table 2. Which are the most important values for you personally?
Social media (Instagram) 10%

Family 9%
Personal Family Religious Rule of Work
Ranked choice Tolerance Hospitality Honesty
Peers/friends 7% diginity values faith Law ethic

Social media (TikTok) 6% First choice 24% 5% 19% 1% 2% 4% 11% 34%

Dedicated online news sites 3% Second choice 12% 11% 44% 5% 7% 5% 5% 11%
Social media (Telegram) 2%
Third choice 28% 11% 11% 6% 7% 7% 11% 20%
Social media (Twitter) 2%

Teachers/professors 1%

Newspapers 1%

Social media (Snapchat) 1%

0% 8% 15% 23% 30% 42

Çela, A., Kamberi, G., & Pici, E. (2015). Albanian youth 2015: “Slow change, internet dependency and … EU trust”. Freidrich Ebert Stiftung.
43
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”. Friedrich
Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10056.pdf; Flere, S., Hurrelmann, K., Klanjšek, R., Lavrič, M., Reimbold, H.,
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155 Taleski, D. (2015). Lost in democratic transition? Political challenges and perspectives for young people in south east Europe. Friedrich Ebert
Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/sarajevo/11505.pdf
44
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”. Friedrich
Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10056.pdf; Flere, S., Hurrelmann, K., Klanjšek, R., Lavrič, M., Reimbold, H., &
Taleski, D. (2015). Lost in democratic transition? Political challenges and perspectives for young people in southeast Europe. Friedrich Ebert
Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/sarajevo/11505.pdf.
41
Snapchat several times a day: 88% Male, 58% Female; 79% 18-24, 63% 25-29; 82% Urban, 67% Rural. 45
Schwandner-Sievers, S. (1999). Humiliation and reconciliation in northern Albania: The logics of feuding in symbolic and diachronic perspectives.
Twitter several times a day: 48% Male, 31% Female; 48% Rural; 38% Urban. Sociologus, Supplement 1, 133-152.
30 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 31

Figure 9. Which are the most important values for you personally? The way that young people view themselves
seems to be intrinsically linked to their core values.
Qualitative discussions and role modelling with young
40% people revealed self-perceptions reflective of the top
36%
values found in our Next Generation Survey (see Box 1
Rural (n=466) Urban (n=689) for example). Characteristics such as personal integrity,
32% sociability, an understanding nature, and honesty with
others are frequently cited by participants, which were
30%
in turn attributes that young people wished for the
27%
people around them to have. Notably, many wish to
be seen by others as they see themselves, while some
aspire to be recognised for their success, echoing
21%
20% this focus on personal dignity and focus on the self-
20% mentioned previously.
17%
It is important to note that this doesn’t mean that they
reject traditional collective values altogeher, but rather
12% that they have developed more self-focused values that
are based on other people’s positive perception of them.
10% 9%
7%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1% 1% 1%
0% Box 1. ‘Mini-me’ map from ‘Asdi’, 25-29, employed in private sector, Durrës

Family Honesty Hospitality Personal Religious Rule of Law Tolerance Work ethic
values dignity faith

Your social self

You (ideal community member)
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 115546

Similarly, we can indicatively see that young

people from rural areas rate traditional values more
significantly than urban youngsters, with higher
rates of family values (21% rural versus 17% urban),
tolerance (7% rural versus 3% urban), and hospitality
(2% rural versus 1% urban).

46
Please note the highlight in blue is only indicating the highest rates, not statistical significance.
 32 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 33

Despite some shifts in cultural values, family is still When analysed by age groups, we can see a when reflecting on what they consider most important
significant. Given the influence of family in forming delineation, where family contributes to personal for happiness and success. Indeed, the key drivers of
value systems explored above, it is unsurprising to see success for a larger portion of the older respondents, their happiness are ‘job satisfaction’ at 17%, ‘financial
‘family values’ as a top three personal value across with just under one quarter (24%) of respondents security’ and ‘living independently’ at 16% respectively.
the whole sample (19% - Figure 10). aged between 25-29 reporting ‘getting married/
Qualitatively, job satisfaction largely relates to obtaining
stable relationship’ as a marker of happiness, followed
In line with this, on aggregate, factors related to employment in their studied profession as they finish
closely by job satisfaction at 20% (see Figure 11).
positive family relationships emerge as the top their schooling. This seems to be motivated by a trend
The qualitative research highlights further context
contributors to young people’s views of personal of difficulties in obtaining employment in studied
here, providing a clear link between ‘job satisfaction’
success and happiness. Almost one third of professions, for example, mentions of “lawyers working
and the goal of starting a family for that age group,
respondents (32% - see Figure 10) point to family as waiters” (Young person, F, 18-24, full-time student).
as they feel that job satisfaction is often linked to
being central to their happiness, with 17% pointing In this context, graduates are driven to compromise on
earning a good salary, in turn allowing them to
to ‘getting married’ and 15% choosing ‘living with a lot to access employment in their field of competence,
support themselves and their family.
family/having a family’. Qualitative discussions further meaning that they look for “regardless of the level, but
highlight the centrality of family to success and Evidence of individualist values and priorities, something concrete in my profession” (Young person, M,
happiness. The priority mapping exercise emphasises particularly for younger youth aged 18-24, can be seen 18-24, Law graduate, unemployed, Kukes).
having a family as a long-term goal for many - “being
in a healthy family is very important because, in the
end, the family is the foundation of society” (18-24, F,
Student, Youth with a physical disability, Tirana).

Figure 11. Which factors contribute to personal success and happiness (both now and the future by age).

24%
Getting married/stable relationship
13%
20%
Figure 10. Which factors contribute to personal success and happiness (both now and the future)? Job satisfaction
17%
16%
Living with family/Having a family
14%
Job satisfaction 19% 14%
Living independently
16%
Getting married/stable relationship 17%
11%
Having financial security
Living with family/Having a family 15% 16%

Living independently 15% 6%

Travelling
11%
Having financial security 14%
3%
Volunteering / Social services
Travelling 9% 4%

Having a circle of close friends 4% 3%

Having a circle of close friends
5%
Volunteering / Social services 3%
2%
Moving out of parents home
Moving out of parents home 1% 1% 25-29

Having a wide array of life experiences 1% 1% 18-24

Having a wide array of life experiences
2%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 0% 8% 15% 23% 30%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155 Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
34 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 35

The widespread concern among youth that job offers economic aspirations. The top three indicators of Qualitative findings confirm that other urgent
in the labour market do not match their qualifications success and happiness are financial security (20%), job priorities are tied to generating an income and
is confirmed in previous research, whereby 48% satisfaction (18%), and living with/having a family (15%). financial independence. From the life priority
of employed young people in Albania say that their Comparatively, youth in urban areas prioritise their mapping, we see those priorities in ‘chronological
current job does not fit with their profile of education happiness slightly differently, with less of an economic order’ exemplified in Figure 13:
and qualification, and 36% of employed young people focus related to equal value in job satisfaction (19%),
say their job requires a lower level of qualification/ getting married/stable relationship (19%), and living
education than their own.47 This is explored further in independently (16%) (see Figure 12). This speaks to the
Chapter 4. Experiences and expectations. well-documented lack of opportunities and well-paid
opportunities in rural areas, which has driven urban
Despite a stronger retention of more traditional values
migrations,48 and the influence of a difficult economic
in rural areas as shown above, youngsters in rural areas
situation outlined above.
are having to balance this with increasing individualist

Figure 12. Which factors contribute to personal success and happiness Figure 13. Timeline of priorities as identified in life priority mapping
(both now and the future urban/rural breakdown)?

Graduating Employment in Career and income Starting own

high school studied profession progression Repaying loans business
Job satisfaction
19%
18%
Getting married/ 19%
stable relationship 14%

Having financial security

11%
20%
Graduating Having a Buying a home Achieving stability and
Living independently
16% college healthy family success in career
14%
Living with family/ 15%
having a family 15%

Travelling
11%
7%
Having a circle of 3%
close friends 6%
Volunteering/ 3%
Social services 3%

Having a wide array 1%

of life experiences 2% Urban (n=689)
2% Rural (n=466)
Moving out of parents home
1%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

47
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id-moe/15261.pdf
48
Kadiu, B., & Kadiu, E. (2018). Challenges of integration of families that have committed internal migration.
European Journal of Social Sciences, 1(3), 137-147.
36 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 37

2.2.2. Young people also value education disagree (see Table 3). This suggests that even in Conclusion
as an institution and marker of status and a competitive employment market, with increasing
pressure to earn money, young people still value the Albania’s young people are balancing traditional
leadership, despite concerns about the and modern influences, as well as the collective and
goal of being ‘educated’ but are also pragmatic about
Albanian education system their needs. individualist values that flourish in these environments.
Our Next Generation survey also finds that young These influences and values manifest across various
Being educated in Albania brings several benefits. aspects of the youths’ lives, including how they perceive
Albanians place strong value in education, viewing It appears to be considered a marker of aspirational
it as a driver of personal, societal, and global their current lives, invest their time, and view their
status and leadership, and a way to succeed in future. We discuss this in detail in the next chapter.
development (see Table 3). Respondents acknowledge Albania. Indeed, a common theme from the in-depth
education’s contribution to societal change (81%), immersion sessions with young people across Albania
improved understanding of the world (80%) and is that ‘ideal’ community leaders should be educated.
fostering confidence in tackling challenges (76%). Interestingly, the 2019 Friedrich Ebert Stiftung study
Education is also seen as the key tool to deal with the also found that educational background plays a key
world’s most pressing challenges (38%), followed by role when it comes to choosing a marriage/life partner
research and innovation (18%) and fostering creativity for young Albanians – 70% of young respondents
and innovation (13%). mentioned education as important or very important.49
However, interestingly, probably due to the current This could be linked to the belief that a good education
economic situation, when asked whether young is essential for receiving support within Albania. 55%
Albanians agree that ‘it is more important to pursue a of our Next Generation survey respondents disagree
career than to complete their education’, answers are that ‘my country will support me even if I don’t get a
mixed. Just over a third disagree with the statement good education’ (see Table 3).
(37%), but 34% agree and 30% neither agree nor

Table 3. How far do you agree with the following statements?

How much or how little you agree with each Neither agree
Disagree Agree
of these statements: not disagree

Education helps drive change in society 4% 15% 81%

Good education can improve knowledge and

4% 16% 80%
understanding of the world/ the way things work

Education gives the confidence to take on

7% 17% 76%
challenging situations

I believe that society does not adequately

12% 29% 58%
reward educational attainment

My country will support me even if I don’t get

55% 24% 19%
good education

My views, opinions and preferences

regarding education are very different from 24% 34% 43%
those of my parents

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

49
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id-moe/15261.pdf
38 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 39

Chapter 3
Overall perceptions of life in
Albania and views on the future
As Albania reforms and changes, so have the lives communist generation benefits from, and the ability
of its youth. Helped by globalisation, the daily lives to have priorities in life other than work - although
of young Albanians now resemble those of most the importance of work is a commonality across
European youths, and in many ways is perceived as generations, as explored in the previous chapter.
improved compared to their parents’ generations.
The sense of opportunity is enabled by the freedom
Despite their quest for financial independence being
of expression, movement, mobility, and education
gravely impacted by the economic context, they remain
their parents didn’t benefit from. Indeed, the previous
optimistic about their future.
generation had “grown up not being free”, and for
them “the idea of going out or travel[ling] is very
3.1. Life in Albania has improved strange”. (Young person, F, 25-29, Employed, Korçë).
compared to the previous generation, The economic burden is seen to have been so heavy
for the previous generation, today’s youngsters largely
but the standard of living still leaves agree that “the Albanian youth today has more chances
more to be desired and opportunities than our parents ever did” (Young
Just over three quarters (78%) of Next Generation person, M, 25-29, employed in family business, Elbasan).
survey respondents indicate that they believe the lives However, a not negligible proportion of respondents
of young people today are better than their parents’ – nearly 1 in 5 in the survey – still feel that their lives
(see Figure 14). This is largely linked to the sense of are worse than their parents, highlighting the level of
economic opportunity and freedom that today’s post- economic marginalisation of some of the youth.

Figure 14. How would you say the lives of young people in Albania today compared to their parents?

78%
80%

60%

40%

18%
20%

4%
0%
The lives of young people today The lives of young people today The lives of young people today
are worse than their parents are neither better nor worse are better than their parents
than their parents

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

40 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 41

Interestingly, the urban youth tend to view the lives of 3.1.1. Negative perceptions of the Older participants (25-29) report more negative This may bedue to those from the Central regions
young people more negatively (worse – 21% of urban standard of living perceptions on today’s standard of living (Bad - 30% of being most likely to live in urban areas53 and as we saw
versus 14% of rural). Insights from the qualitative 18-24: versus 40% of 25-29). in the previous section, may therefore be more likely
discussions further suggest that youth in urban areas When it comes to evaluating their standards of living, to compare their standard of living to those in other
almost twice as many young Albanians judge the Regionally, respondents in Southern regions of Albania
have slightly higher expectations for the quality of their countries and cities and view it more negatively as a
standard of living to be bad as opposed to good (34% reflect more positively on the standard of living –
current lives, which are currently not being met due result. “The challenges start from the moment when
v. 19%) and almost half declares it is neither good 34% rate it ‘good’, whilst in the Northern regions, this
to the state of the economy and lack of employment people open social media networks and there is an
nor bad (see Figure 15). Insights from the qualitative group represents 19% of those interviewed and 11%
opportunities. Expectations are at least partially unprecedented competition between everyone” (18-24,
workstreams repeatedly points to the increasing cost in the Central region (see Figure 16). These results
established through influence of comparison on social F, University student, Gjirokastër)
of living crisis and salary stagnation contributing to a echo previous research suggesting a lower standard
media, as explored in the previous chapter. This different
decline in the standard of living. This is supported by of living in Northern Albania.52 Qualitative data in our Echoing this negative perception of the standard of
level of expectations from urban and rural youth is not
the fact Albania has the lowest average wage in the study further builds on this, highlighting the economic living by young people is the fact that in the survey,
new though. In a 2019 youth study, when asked the main
region, with approximately €520 per month whilst in “neglect” of the North (F, 25-29, Unemployed by poverty (27%) and unemployment (20%) are the two
reason for emigrating, already a larger proportion urban
the EU the average wage is estimated to be just over volunteering, Kukes), and how this has driven migration, most important issues facing the world today.
youth (60%) chose ‘improvement of the standard of
€2000 in 2023.51 explored further below in Chapter 4.
living’, compared to half of the rural youth (50%).50 Indeed, the World Bank estimates that 22% of Albanians
As well as showing the lowest level of positive ratings on lived in poverty in 2022, a proportion which has been
their standard of living, young people from the Central decreasing from 40% in 2016, but the decrease trend
regions also report slightly more negative perceptions could be threatened by current high inflation rates and
of the standard of living across Albania than those from the cost-of-living crisis.54
the Northern regions (39% versus 36%).

Figure 15. How would you rate the standard of living of a young person in your country? Figure 16. Regional breakdown of rate of standard of living in Albania.

47%
50%
Total sample (n= 1155) 34% 47% 19%

38% 34% Southern (n=318) 22% 44% 34%

Northern (n=302) 36% 45% 19%

25%
19%

Central (n=535) 39% 50% 11%

13%

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

0%
Bad standard Neither bad nor good standard Good standard
Bad Neither bad nor good Good

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

52
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
53
‘Central’ Albania is made up of Tirana and Elbasan. Tirana is the Capital city of Albania and as of June 2023, holds 2,761,785 inhabitants
50
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id-moe/15261.pdf (INSTAT, 2023).
51
EUROSTAT. (2023). Minimum Wage statistics. 54
World Bank. (2022). Poverty and Equity Brief. https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/987B9C90-CB9F-
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Minimum_wage_statistics. 4D93-AE8C-750588BF00QA/previous/Global_POVEQ_ALB.pdf.
42 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 43

Conclusion
Whilst young people believe that their life is better stereotypes and assumptions. The exercise reveals that
than their parents’, this does not mean they do not daily lives of young Albanians are diverse, representing
face challenges. One could also argue that compared a broad spectrum of experiences, ranging from
to their parents’ lives (most of whom would have lived vibrant social interactions to balancing the pressures
a significant part under the communist regime), the of employment and financial stability, in many ways
pressures of finding employment and being successful echoing previous research mentioned above.
are new to this generation. To understand this picture
However, the exercise also highlights the
further, in the next section we provide a deep dive into
discrepancies between the daily lives of urban and
the everyday lives of today’s youth.
rural youths. Urban youth and those from Tirana report
going out socialising and participating in activities
3.2. Young people’s daily lives – such as the gym, cafes, NGOs, attending church, and
striving for financial stability whilst participating in group activities such as book clubs or
sports events, amongst others. However, young people
looking for work-life balance from rural areas often report socialising with friends
The leisure choices made by young Albanians hold and family but also highlight the lack of opportunities
considerable significance as they offer insights into for a social life and personal development, with “not
their current lifestyles and future aspirations. many options to entertain, places to spend their free
time, youth centres, or other options to spend the day,
Previous research suggests the activities that young
develop themselves, and increase their capabilities” (M,
people engage in frequently—almost daily or at least
25-29, employed in a local organisation, Kukes). This is
several times a week—include listening to music (85%
in line with previous findings that suggest that there is
of respondents report doing this very often or often),
a need for rural youngsters, particularly girls, to have
socialising with friends (70% engage in this activity
more opportunities to improve the quality of their
frequently), watching films (72% do so), unwinding
social lives.58
or simply hanging out (69% very often or often), and
echoing the importance of the family circle, spending Qualitative discussions with young Albanians also
quality time with their families (92% very often or often).55 reveal that the impact of grappling with the demands
of employment and financial stability often come at the
In terms of other leisure activities, half of the surveyed
expense of leisure and relaxation. This is particularly
youth in a previous study indicate that they often spend
the case for young people thinking about starting a
their leisure hours in cafes and bars, while an additional
family who report long working hours, “up to 12 hours a
21% do so occasionally. Café culture in Albania is very
day” (M, 25-19, Employed, Tirana), with the pressure of
strong, particularly in Tirana, where cafés filled with
work and ensuring security through salary, leaving no
young people is a traditional feature. Of course, income
space for socialising, and “forgetting everything else like
levels greatly impact young Albanians’ daily lives, as the
pleasure, hobbies, and vacations and yet we fail to
youth from lower-income backgrounds are less likely
be where we want” (F, 25-29, Lawyer, Tirana).
to engage in leisure activities.56 Looking at hanging out
with friends in Friedrich Ebert Stiftung’s 2019 study, Interestingly, respondents who indicated having a
nationally, only 1% of youth never did this, compared to disability or long-term impairment are significantly more
8% of young people from the poorest income bracket likely to report volunteering in their community than
surveyed.57 This lack of space for leisure and relaxation those who did not, (24% versus 13%). Workshops and
due to economic worries came through as a common interviews with a group of youth with disabilities
concern in our qualitative research. suggests that volunteering and working with charities
and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) is often
To build on previous studies and our survey and provide
one of the avenues for engagement where they do not
an in-depth and holistic picture of the daily lives of
face barriers, where “the support of organisations has
young Albanians, we engaged 20 young people from
always been there”, (Young person with a disability, F,
across the country in a digital diary and ‘day in the
18-24, Student, Tirana), particularly when compared
life’ exercise over a 2-week period (see graphic 1). The
with education, politics, and employment.
exercise provided them with an opportunity to share
more details about a typical day in their life, beyond

55
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
56
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
57
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
58
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
44 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 45

Graphic 1. Tapestry of Digital diary ‘day in the life’ submissions.

Photo credits: Online Community Members
46 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 47

3.2.1 ‘Scrolling through the day’ – social A common thread across qualitative discussions is the Figure 17. Regional breakdown of outlook on future
media is integral to a young Albanian’s balance of young people who want to leave Albania
and those who want to stay and “make a difference”
daily routine
(Young person, 18-24, F, High School Student, Vlore).
We cannot understand young people’s daily lives Migration is explored further in the next chapter. 32% 39% 29%
without mentioning the role of social media. As explored 24% 29% 47%
Respondents feel markedly less optimistic when
in Chapter 2, the use of social media daily is pervasive
reflecting on the future various communities – namely 34% 37% 30%
across today’s youth, with most youth – across gender,
their local community with only 30% optimistic views,
age, urbanity, and regions, using social media several 24% 25% 51%
their country (22%), and the global community (29%).
times a day (see Table 3 above). The high percentages
This disconnect between personal and national Total country (n=1155) 34% 34% 32%
of respondents using platforms multiple times a day
optimism is supported by earlier youth studies, which
presents great opportunities for direct interaction/ 18% 36% 46%
had found that only 55% believe Albania’s future will
activation with the youth segment going forward.
be better. But this also suggests that there has been 14% 30% 55%
a considerable decrease in optimistic outlooks in the
Conclusion future of Albania compared to earlier studies.
23% 36% 40%

The fabric of young Albanians’ daily lives is woven with 14% 25% 61%
Regionally, slight variations in optimism can be
threads of social and familial engagement, social media, observed, with Southern regions remaining the most Southern (n=318) 23% 31% 46%
work-related endeavours, and the pursuit of financial optimistic across all indicators (Figure 17), a trend
security as a key priority. Their experiences provide a 32% 35% 33%
that has remained since previous research in 2019.59
picture of young people balancing a blend of traditional In line with these and previous findings above, young 29% 27% 43%
occupations and contemporary pressures, echoing people in the Northern and Central regions are the least
their traditional and contemporary values – all of which 38% 37% 25%
optimistic when considering their future quality of life
shape how young people view their future. (Northern: 43%; Central: 44%; Southern: 55%) and local 30% 24% 47%
community (Northern: 25%; Central: 27%; Southern: Northern (n=302) 37% 33% 30%
3.3. Optimism in Albania’s future is 40%). Despite this, Northern youth are relatively more
40% 43% 17%
connected to personal potential optimistic about the future of the global community,
with a higher rate of optimism than the total sample 27% 28% 44%
Optimism and pessimism across age, urbanity, and (33% versus 29%) and a much more positive global
gender are largely balanced in participants’ views of outlook than those from the Central regions – amongst 37% 36% 27%
Albania’s future. As explored above, current concerns who only 17% are optimistic. This may be linked to 27% 25% 48%
include low wages, rising costs and employment recent increases in international support for Northern
opportunities. However, there is overwhelming belief regions through development programmes or linked to Central (n=535) 39% 36% 25%
and positivity about the potential for improvement if the the Northern optimism for migration.
younger generation remain in Albania. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
When specifically prompted on which aspects of the
future young people perceive positively or negatively,
overall, those surveyed feel more optimistic about Pessimistic view Neither pessimistic nor optimistic view Optimistic view
aspects of their lives they have more control over,
including their future career (51%) and quality of life
(47%). Within this, younger Albanians aged 18-24 are
significantly more likely to report optimism (Optimistic
- Career: 57% of 18-24 versus 41% of 25-29; Optimistic
– Life quality: 53% of 18-24 versus 37% of 25-29).
Qualitatively, participants anticipate a better future,
primarily focused on career advancement and personal
growth. They view the next five years as crucial for
establishing themselves professionally, possibly even
starting businesses, as explored in Section 2.1.2.
The potential for emigration to other countries is also
raised as a consideration as it provides young people
with a sense of autonomy and opportunity. In line with
this, 75% of respondents also feel empowered to decide
about their future.

59
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
48 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 49

When considering rurality, the split between optimism Similarly, rural youth also view the ‘global community’ 3.3.1. Immigration and tourism to Albania modern realities, however increasingly it is felt that
and pessimism is largely balanced for ‘career’ and more positively – over a third of rural youth (35%) contribute to Albania gaining an increasingly these are being dispelled, where “the more they visit,
‘quality of life’, in line with the total sample. Where we view the future of the ‘global community’ negatively, the more the news spreads that Albania is a beautiful
positive position globally, giving young
can see significant variations is when considering compared to just over a quarter of urban youth (25%). place with good people” (25-29, F, employed, Tirana).
‘global community’, ‘local community’, and ‘my Qualitative discussions with urban youth suggest a people hope in Albania’s future
While positive strides are being made, there is
country’ (see Figure 18). Across all these factors, certain defeatism when looking at the future of the One key trend promoting hope and optimism for recognition of ongoing challenges, including the
rural youth are more likely to report optimistically – global community, with a recognition that many of Albania’s future in the qualitative data is the increasing need for improved services to enhance the overall
reporting a positive 15-percentage-point difference the challenges faced by Albania, are global in nature immigration and tourism to Albania, which is seen as an experience of international visitors and more
compared to urban youth for ‘my country’, and a - generating feelings of uncertainty, where there is a opportunity for positive shifts against stereotypes of investment in the tourism sector. Moreover, discussions
positive 14-percentage-point difference for their ‘local “global problem of young people who are not sure what Albania internationally. emphasise the importance of dispelling stereotypes
community’. This once again confirms the positivity they will do in the future” (F, 25-29 Employed, Durrës).
Indeed, increasing tourism is a key factor in the through proactive efforts that showcase Albania’s
gap seen between rural and urban youth, evidenced
Government of Albania’s strategy for full recovery diverse strengths and assets. Youth hold a vital role as
above in the exploration of youth value systems, and
following the consequences of the pandemic, and ambassadors who can challenge misconceptions and
supported by earlier literature.60
current price crisis.61 In the summer of 2022, Albania contribute to fostering a more nuanced understanding
saw an all-time high in tourism, with more than of Albania’s present and future.
6.8 million visitors between January to October.62
The National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Conclusion
Development 2019-2023 aimed at boosting the
Figure 18. Breakdown of outlook on future by urbanity. Today’s young people live daily lives that much more
contribution of sustainable and responsible tourism
to Albania’s economic growth, with a unique focus closely resemble their European peers than their
on cultural heritage. In 2023, Albania’s Minister of parents’ generation, with increased opportunities for
Tourism and Environment was noted to have said: freedom of choice, expression, and opportunity. Life
Urban (n=689) 36% 39% 25% is considered to have dramatically improved to the
The global
community “What we want is tourism that is friendly earlier generation and the outlook of aspects of the
future young people feel they can control is bright.
Rural (n-466) 26% 39% 35% to the environment, responsible and
However, the structural issues of Albania’s future as
sustainable. We don’t want tourism a country remain contentious, with clear calls for
Urban (n=689) 22% 31% 46% concentrated only in certain areas, but improvement in economic opportunity, the current
My quality tourism that focuses on cultural heritage, standard of living and financial security that can
of life gastronomy, hiking, rafting, nature … support young Albanians to flourish in all avenues
Rural (n-466) 27% 25% 48%
there are so many little farms that of their lives, from career to personal.
people can go to and enjoy all of this”.63
Urban (n=689) 34% 41% 24%
My local Our qualitative discussions revealed a sentiment
community amongst young people that this burgeoning tourism
Rural (n-466) 32% 29% 38% sector is contributing to a slowly improving Albanian
global reputation. Prominent tourist destinations and
Urban (n=689) 24% 26% 51% successful Albanian individuals abroad also contribute
My future to a growing positive recognition of the nation.
career Anecdotally, experiences were shared of encounters
Rural (n-466) 25% 23% 52% with tourists whose first impressions were rooted
in stereotypes, often tied to Albania’s past under
dictatorship. These can overshadow the country’s
Urban (n=689) 35% 38% 26%
My country
Rural (n-466) 33% 27% 41%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Pessimistic view Neither pessimistic nor optimistic view Optimistic view

61
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id-moe/15261.pdf
62
INSTAT. (2023). Tourism. Author. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/industry-trade-and-services/tourism/#tab2.
63
Smith, H. (2023). Albania sets its sights on high-end eco-tourism.
60
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id-moe/15261.pdf The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/feb/24/albania-sets-its-sights-on-high-end-eco-tourism
50 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 51

Chapter 4
Youth experiences
and expectations
Despite having a generally positive outlook on their As a result, Albania’s youth are navigating a complex
future, young Albanians feel that their experiences and landscape of educational challenges within which
reality are challenging, with challenges in education, quality of education and preparedness for employment
employment, migration, and social marginalisation. are most prominent. However, it is also important to
acknowledge signs of positive improvements at play.
4.1 Education 4.1.1. Learning levels remain generally low
As part of its transition process towards democracy Despite significant improvements, issues remain around
and open-market economy, Albania has undergone learning levels. The OECD Programme for International
several significant education reforms since the Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 publication reveals
2000s. These included measures such as the increase that learning levels in Albania remain low compared
in compulsory education age, decentralisation to the OECD and EU averages.66 It also shows however
of school governance and the introduction of a that learning levels have improved quickly. As a result,
competency-based curriculum which have delivered learning levels are now similar to the average of the
significant improvements on key indicators. Western Balkans economies. Reforms are ongoing to
Demographic transformations in Albania have had keep improving learning levels and in 2021, Albania
an impact on enrolment rates in domestic education approved the National Education Strategy for 2021-
systems, and shares of enrolment in primary education 2026, which integrates the pre-university education
and lower secondary have declined. However, on strategy and the university education strategy which
the positive side, Albania has managed to halve the focuses on inclusiveness and equality in education,
proportion of early school leavers which was down to strengthening the competencies of teachers, mastery
16% in 2019 versus 32% in 2010. In contrast to primary of lifelong learning competencies, digitalisation of
and secondary education, the share of enrolment education, and quality management and assurance.
in tertiary education programmes has significantly
increased in Albania – to 25%, 7 percentage-points However, a study by the OECD shows that 52% of
higher than in 2010.64 15-year-olds have insufficient basic reading skills.67
Part of the issue seems to be that the teaching
However, there are questions over whether students are quality in Albania remains inadequate. Despite having
acquiring the essential skills they need and questions recently adopted a competency-based curriculum and
on the overall level of funding of education, pegged having increased the number of years in compulsory
at around 3.6% of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) education, pre-university education provision is
versus 5% on average in the OECD and in markets such inadequate, especially in rural and isolated areas.68
as Germany.65

64
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans?
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_Western%20Balkans.pdf
65
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans?
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_Western%20Balkans.pdf
66
OECD. (n.d.). PISA 2018 Database. Author. https://www.oecd.org/pisa/data/2018database/?_ga=2.79632212.1174702435.1694535719-
1907873432.1694535719
67
Maghnouj, S., Fordham, E., Guthrie, C., Henderson, K., & Trujillo, D. (2020). Albania. OECD. https://www.unicef.org/albania/media/2871/file/
OECD_Reviews_of_Evaluation_and_Assessment_in_Education_Albania.pdf
68
European Commission. (2020). Albania 2020 Report: Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Author. https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.
europa.eu/system/files/2020-10/albania_report_2020.pdf
52 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 53

‘’
4.1.2. Perceptions of the quality of Concerns over the quality and improvement of Albania’s rural women agreeing that it is improving, compared
education are mixed, with urban youth education were felt more deeply by urban youth, which to just under a quarter (23%) of young urban women.
has been echoed in earlier research which found that It is almost an identical breakdown when reflecting
more sceptical compared to rural youth
Overall scepticism only 11% of young people in Tirana claim to be very on whether the current quality of education is good
In our survey (see Table 4), perceptions of the quality
of education are mixed both in terms of the current remains significant satisfied with the quality of their education.70 (agree: 37% of rural young women; 24% of urban young
women). A similar difference is seen across young rural
over the performance
The scepticism over the quality of education between
quality of education and in terms of improvement. More and urban men when reflecting on the current quality of
urban and rural youth is particularly evident among
respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (37%) that education. Rural men were slightly more optimistic than
the ‘quality of education is good’, while 31% disagree and improvement of the younger age group (18–24-year-olds). For example,
18–24-year-olds living in urban areas are more likely
urban men that the quality of education is good (agree:
versus 32% who do agree. When asked whether the
‘quality of education in Albania is improving’ 34%
the education system to disagree that the quality of education is improving
38% of rural young men; 32% of urban young men), but
were most likely to feel ambivalent, with 1 in 4 neither
than their counterparts in rural areas (39% versus 26%
disagree versus 30% who agree – showing that overall agreeing nor disagreeing (40% of rural young men; 30%
respectively). This trend deepens when reflecting on
scepticism remains significant over the performance of urban young men).
whether the quality of education is currently good,
and improvement of the education system in the
with a significantly higher share of 18–24-year-olds in Our survey also shows that despite 46% of respondents
country. This is a worsening trend since 2015, where
urban areas expressing disagreement that the quality of agreeing that teachers in Albania are knowledgeable
55% of youth claimed to be somewhat satisfied with
education is good compared to their rural counterparts about their subjects, when prompted on which elements
the quality of education in Albania, dropping to 38% in
(37% versus 21% respectively). of education require the greatest improvement, just
2019,69 and now 32% in 2023.
over one quarter of the sample (26%) voted for the
Further, young rural women reflect more positively on
quality of teaching (Figure 19), closely followed by the
the quality and improvement of education than their
school curriculum with 21%.
urban peers, with over a third (36%) of young

Table 4. How far do you agree with the following statements? Figure 19. Which of the following requires the greatest improvement in our education system?

30%
Disagree (strongly Neither agree Agree (strongly
How far do you agree with the following statements: 26%
+ somewhat) nor disagree + somewhat)
25%
The quality of education in my country is improving 34% 36% 30%
21%
The quality of education in my country is good 31% 37% 32% 20%

Teachers in Albania are knowledgeable about 15%

19% 35% 46% 14%
their subjects 15%

11%
10%
8%
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

5% 4%

0%
Proximity of Infrastructure School Students’ Fee Teacher Quality of
institution and other curriculum attitude towards structure abstention teaching
facilities studies

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

69
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. 70
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
54 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 55

Indeed, the nature of Albania’s curriculum is perceived to on the education system’s ability to prepare the youth Urban, Roma and Egyptian youth are most likely to Transitioning from education to a suitable job position
overload young people as opposed to other countries, for employment. report feeling that their education has not prepared is a particularly challenging task for Albania’s youth,
such as the UK (United Kingdom) and Germany, which them well for work or life. Whilst just over a quarter of particularly those with higher education qualifications.72
support students to excel in different areas based on 4.1.3 Scepticism about the ability of the Albanian (ethnicity) youth reported not being prepared Recent data indicates very high ‘Not in Education,
their skills. “… abroad, there’s a division from an early age education system to prepare young well for work or life (26% respectively), markedly higher Employment, or Training’ (NEET) rates, which stood at
where you have the inclination not to burden your mind. levels are seen for Roma and Egyptian youth (not well 24% in 2021, especially among those with secondary
Albanians for employment
(...) It gives everyone the opportunity to find themselves for work: 86% of Roma youth, and 71% of Egyptian and tertiary education.73 This discrepancy between
where they fit and then transform into their talent” (M, 18- The challenge for any education system is to youth; not well for life: 73% of Roma youth, and 71% of educational achievement and job prospects causes
24, University student, employed, Kukes). ensure that it prepares its youth for their future Egyptian youth). real concern and highlights a series of specific issues,
and equips them with the right skills to obtain and including the lack of career counselling in school,
‘Fee structure’71 is identified as needing improvement Additionally, one third of urban youth (33%) believe they
sustain employment. the lack of practical experience, the need for better
by 11% of those interviewed and, interestingly, is driven have not been well prepared for work, compared to just
vocational learning options and the need to increase
by female youth who represent 65% of those who think Once again, views of young people are split – just over a over a quarter (26%) of rural youth. Similarly, in general
focus on key skills.
it is a priority (versus 35% male), highlighting a potential third of those interviewed think that education prepares life, almost half (49%) of rural youth believe they were
gender imbalance in economic accessibility in education. young people for work and for general life well (38% well prepared, compared to only a third of urban youth
and 39% respectively), but worryingly, just under a third (33%) (see Figure 21).
Concerns about the quality of education discussed so
also feel that education has not prepared them well for
far are ultimately perceived to have a negative impact
work (30%) and life (29%) (see Figure 20).

Figure 20. How well do you think your education has prepared you for: Figure 21. How well do you think your education has prepared you for, by urbanity: Rural (n=466)

Urban (n=689)

43%
‘Well (Very + well)
36%
General life 29% 32% 39%

31%

Work
Neither well or not well
32%

Work 30% 32% 38%

26%
Not well (At all + not)
33%

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

49%
‘Well (Very + well)
33%

General life
32%
Not well Neither well or not well Well Neither well or not well
32%

19%
Not well (At all + not)
36%
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

72
European Commission. (2020). Albania 2020 Report: Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Author. https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.
europa.eu/system/files/2020-10/albania_report_2020.pdf
71
Fee structure refers to how fees are organised and paid, as opposed to the pricing of fees. 73
INSTAT. (2022). Unemployment in Albania. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/unemployment-in-albania/
56 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 57

4.1.4. Career counselling is uncommon, There is also a sense amongst those with higher The government has set-up a number of initiatives Regarding vocational options, our survey shows that
especially in the Northern region education attainment that young people are already trying to boost the number of young people 34% of those interviewed recognise that technical
not well-prepared for the job market and lack being able to access internships or workplace learning, education may be ‘more the need of the hour’, however
In our Next Generation survey, over two-thirds of young practical experience. particularly for those engaged in vocational education, value of a formal university education over vocational
people reported not receiving any career guidance at but this should be extended to all streams of the remains significant (see Table 5). This is echoed
their last educational institution (68%). Of the 32% who 4.1.5. Lack of internships is a missed education system to yield real impact. by OECD’s recommendations to develop stronger
did, half (51%) found their career guidance useful, 35% vocational options to better breach the gap between
chance to prepare young Albanians for
found it neither useful nor unhelpful and 14% found it 4.1.6. Significant value is still placed on the educational system and the needs of the job market.
not useful, hinting to a need to increase both the quality employment
university over technical education,
and the prevalence of such support. The lack of practical work experience and internship
especially among females and youth from
In terms of access to career counselling, there is no opportunities in Albania means that many young people
look for jobs without earlier experience. As of 2014, a Southern and Northern regions
significant variation by urbanity or gender. However,
youth in Northern regions and the older age cohort of mere 17% of the youth had engaged in internships.74 According to the Regional Cooperation Council, the
25–29-year-olds are the least likely to report receiving But many entry-level jobs still require some experience, Vocational Education and Training (VET) school system
career counselling. Regionally, only just under a making it difficult for those who have just graduated to in Albania attracted only 18% of school students in
quarter (23%) of Northern youth received counselling, access those jobs. “After university, (…) when you apply 2019 (compared to over half of all secondary students
compared to a third (33%) of Central youth, and 1 in for a new job, they require work experience.” (Workshop in the other Western Balkan economies) – an increase
four Southern youth (40%) (see Figure 22). Over a with Youth from Northern Albania). from 13-14% in 2013.75 The increase was due to
third of younger respondents aged 18-24 (35%) report For this reason, many believe that internships and investments made by the government budget and
receiving counselling, compared to 29% of 25–29-year- work experiences should be encouraged through donors in the infrastructure, equipment, and capacity
olds, which suggests a positive trend that career the education system. “I believe that experiences building. But issues remain notably around the ability
counselling may be increasingly offered. like internships or practical work experiences should for students to access workplace learning, according
always exist and that these practices should not to teachers, only 38% of students receive at least
Many young people express a lack of clarity about their 10% of their learning in the workplace.76 On a positive
career paths prior to university enrolment. “I noticed only serve for learning but also for motivating young
people and orienting them” (Workshop with youth side, the government is trying to increase funding and
lacking in the part where students are advised on the public/private partnerships.
fields they should choose or, in other words, career from Southern regions).
education”. (18-24, High School Graduate, Fier).

Figure 22. Have you ever received career guidance at your last educational institution? By region Table 5. How far do you agree with the following statements?

77%
80% Yes
67% No Disagree (strongly Neither agree Agree (strongly
60% How far do you agree with the following statements:
+ somewhat) nor disagree + somewhat)
60%
Technical education is more need of the hour than
29% 37% 34%
40% the formal education
40%
33%
I believe that a university education is more valuable
23% 28% 32% 41%
for my career than vocational or technical colleges
20%

0%
Northern region Central region Southern region Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

75
Regional Cooperation Council. (2021). Study on Youth employment in Albania.
74
Çela, A., Kamberi, G., & Pici, E. (2015). Albanian youth 2015: “Slow change, internet dependency and … EU trust”. Freidrich Ebert Stiftung. 76
Regional Cooperation Council. (2021). Study on Youth employment in Albania.
58 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 59

Male and youth in the Central region reported the The call for a more practical and diverse education 4.1.7. Foundational soft skills are highly to value critical thinking, with just under a quarter (22%)
highest values in vocational education, with one system is echoed throughout the qualitative valued for employment of Master’s or equivalent level respondents valuing this,
third of Central youth (33%) and 31% of young males engagements, encompassing non-formal education to compared to 12% of Bachelors, 8% of upper secondary
disagreeing that a university education is more valuable accommodate varying strengths and talents. “I think Equipping the Albanian youth with foundational soft and 7% of lower secondary education. This is to be
for their career than vocational or technical colleges, that our schools have a lot more theory than they should skills is an important issue. Communication skills are expected, as critical thinking is often a skill cultivated
with female, Northern and Southern respondents have. They should become more practical, so students thought to be by far the most important skills for and encouraged at this higher level of education.
much more likely to value university education over can have an easier time understanding what they want to employment, with 34% outlining the need for these
when it comes to employment (see Figure 23 below). Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills
vocational study for their careers (see Table 6). do in the future.” (18-24, M, High-school student, Dibër).
Other soft skills such as interpersonal skills at 15%, are also generally recognised as being increasingly
and networking and critical thinking (both at 12%) essential and the government is focusing on this
follow. Overall, respondents identify soft skills as main through measures developed as part of the Albanian
contributors to success in the job market, which may Digital Agenda 2015–2020 which highlights the
need to be more holistically developed in the education importance of integrating the use of ICT in the
system to ensure that young people feel prepared to education system. The National Pre-University
enter the job market. Curriculum Framework also mentions it as one of seven
key competencies for general and vocational education.
There is no significant difference on the importance However, both are perceived to lack a concrete
of skills for employment by age, gender, urbanity or framework on how digital skills and competencies
Table 6. University education is more valuable for career than vocational or technical college by region and gender.
region. We can see that respondents who reached should be integrated into the learning practice.77
higher levels of educational attainment are more likely

I believe that a university education

is more valuable for my career than Northern Central Southern Male Female
vocational or technical colleges
Figure 23. What general skills do you think are most important when it comes to employment?
Disagree (strongly + somewhat) 23% 33% 23% 31% 24%

Neither agree nor disagree 37% 32% 27% 34% 30%

Communication skills 34%
Agree (strongly + somewhat) 40% 36% 50% 35% 46%
Interpersonal skills 15%

Critical thinking and analysis skills 12%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
Networking skills 12%

Creativity 9%

Presentation skills 5%

Digital and technology skills 4%

Leadership 3%

Time management 3%

Problem solving skills 2%

Maths and literacy skills 1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

77
European Training Foundation. (2018). Digital factsheet December 2018: Digital skills and online learning in Albania.
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2019-02/digital-factsheet_albania.pdf
60 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 61

Overall, the issues highlighted in this section results Before we conclude this chapter on education, it 4.2. Employment 4.2.1 Unemployment and poverty are key
in a situation where many young people struggle to is important to note that strong disparities exist in issues facing young Albanians
find employment corresponding to their field of study. access to education - especially among marginalised Albania has undergone a remarkable transformation,
A report by the European Training Foundation shows communities like people with disabilities, the Roma progressing from being one of Europe’s poorest The national unemployment rate of 11.5% hides the
that 48% of employed young people say their job does and Egyptian communities.81 Notably, within the Roma nations to achieving upper-middle-income status. extent to which young Albanians find their integration
not fit with their profile of education and qualification, community, the educational attainment remains low, This achievement is attributed to the country’s ongoing into the economic world particularly strenuous.84 Youth
and 36% of employed young people say their job with only 1% of its youth having completed secondary implementation of significant structural reforms aimed unemployment in Albania stood at 27.8% in 2021, nearly
requires a lower level of qualification/education education. Similarly, the figure is just 5% for Balkan at fostering equitable growth, boosting productivity twice the EU average of 14%.85 Data further indicates
than their own.78 Egyptians.82 More detailed analysis of the level of and competitiveness within the economy, generating that 24% of the youth were neither in education nor
marginalisation of these communities is explored in the employment opportunities, and enhancing governance employment, or training (NEET) as of 2021.86
This results in situations where many enterprises and the delivery of public services.83
chapter on social marginalisation. And of course, this is echoed in the national survey,
cannot find staff with appropriate skills for their
needs. According, to the OECD, 44% of firms report Many of the educational challenges highlighted in this However, employment emerges as a key issue in Albania where poverty and unemployment are highlighted
being constrained by an inadequately educated section have a direct impact on the ability of some of in general, and more specifically for young Albanians. as the two biggest issues facing the world (see Table
workforce.79 This is particularly acute in the Information the Albanian youth to find jobs when they finish their This chapter explores the state of employment 7). This is in line with previous nationwide study by
and Communications Technology sector – one of education – and even more so to find the right jobs. in Albania, the issue of youth unemployment, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung which indicates that “being
Albania’s fastest growing industries attracting foreign But this is of course compounded by the state of the impact on wages, the concerns about nepotism, job poor, unemployed, and/or affected by corruption
investors. But surprisingly, there’s also lack of non- economy of the country. satisfaction and entrepreneurship in Albania, outlining are the most pressing concerns for young people”.87
formal education in Albania compounding the skills gap the key challenges and how these challenges may differ It is important to note that there are no statistically
required and the way the education system prepares depending on their circumstances. significant variations across these challenges by age,
young Albanians for their careers. gender, urbanity or region, suggesting there is much
consensus on these issues.
4.1.8. The lack of informal education is
compounding the lack of skills inherited Table 7. Which, if any, of these do you think are the most important issues facing the world today?
from formal education
According to a report from the OECD, in 2016, only
9.9% of Albanian adults aged 25-64 years participated Total
in some form of formal and/or non-formal education,
compared to 43.7% in the EU.80 Of course the issue Poverty 27%
is that the context of a work force with relatively low
educational achievement – the same report that in Unemployment 20%
2019, almost half (44.7%) of this age group had low
educational attainment (meaning primary education or Violence and conflict 10%
less), which is double the EU-27 average (21.6%).
Economic inequality 9%
One specific area mentioned in the previous section
is ICT skills. Given the lack of ICT skills acquired by Globalisation 7%
students in the formal education, Albania could
benefit from an IT adult requalification programme. Misinformation / disinformation/ fake news 4%
However, Albania’s Employment and Skills Strategy
2019–2022 does not address digital skills as a priority – Health crises and pandemics e.g., coronavirus. 4%
unlike countries such as Serbia who have developed a
comprehensive digital Skills Strategy since 2021. Lack of access to education 4%

The state of the global financial system 3%

Economic growth 3%

78
European Training Foundation. (2021). Albania: Education, training, and employment developments 2021.
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/document/CFI_Albania_2021.pdf Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
79
OECD. (2022). Multi-dimensional review of the Western Balkans: From analysis to action.
OECD Development Centre. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/eeac4c0b-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/eeac4c0b-en
80
OECD. (2022). Multi-dimensional review of the Western Balkans: From analysis to action. 83
World Bank. (2023). The World Bank in Albania. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/albania/overview.
OECD Development Centre. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/eeac4c0b-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/eeac4c0b-en 84
Uraguchi, Z. B. (2018). The future they want: Making sense of youth aspirations in East and Southeast Europe. Helvetas.
81
European Commission. (2020). Albania 2020 Report: Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to www.helvetas.org/en/eastern-europe/about-us/follow-us/helvetas-mosaic/article/December2018/The-Future-They-Want
the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
Author. https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-10/albania_report_2020.pdf
85
INSTAT. (2022). Unemployment in Albania. www.instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/unemployment-in-albania
82
UNESCO. (2017). Albania education policy review: Issues and recommendations. Author.
86
INSTAT. (2022). Unemployment in Albania. www.instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/unemployment-in-albania
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000259245 87
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
62 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 63

The survey also shows that the main driver of success 4.2.3. Low wages remain a prominent 4.2.4. Concerns around nepotism with political affiliations: “Those who come back, usually
for young Albanians is job satisfaction (19% - higher concern for young Albanians return with a friend, with a political party, whatever that
Well publicised cases highlight the potential
than getting married) highlighting the importance of the means” (18-24, F, Masters student, Kukes).
As explored in Chapter 3, living standards are a “interventions” and nepotism in appointments in various
employment topic for them. “The biggest problem is the
constant concern for young Albanians, particularly areas of the public and private sector. This is echoed Nepotism is perceived to be linked to both obtaining
lack of employment opportunities throughout Albania,
acute in the current context of high inflation. Despite a by those interviewed for this programme - “The lack of employment and being able to progress professionally.
there are employment opportunities only in Tirana and
series of decisions by the Albanian government to meritocracy is a serious problem. Corruption cases, both One young person practicing law felt this particularly
Durres. (M, 25-29, employed, Tirana).
increase the minimum wage, according to the July active and passive, nepotism, and getting jobs without strongly, suggesting that “the law here is corrupted.
This is particularly the case for many Roma youth 2023 update of Eurostat, Albania continues to have merit” (18-24, F, high-school graduate, Fier). Many young Firstly, they will judge you for being too young and
and youth with disabilities, who report a lack of the lowest minimum wage in the Balkans (excluding people shared the perspective that it is increasingly secondly if you don’t have connections, you can’t go far”
employment opportunities and low-paid work because Kosovo) when considering purchasing power (PPS difficult to obtain well-paid employment without (F, 25-29, Employed, Elbasan).
of discrimination, which is explored further below in (Probability Proportional to Size)).91 Since June 2023, connections in Albania – either politically or with those
Section 4.4. the national minimum wage in Albania is fixed at €375 in high places. “You finish school, and you must pay 4.2.5. Job satisfaction is also a concern
per month – placing Albania in the 54th place in a list again to get a job or have a friend who is a deputy or for young Albanians
4.2.2. Even well-educated youth struggle of 120 countries. It also has the lowest average wage someone in a position to get you a job.” (Young person
There is a level of scepticism regarding young people’s
to find suitable employment in the region, with approximately €520 per month with disabilities, 18-24, unemployed, Tirana).
current employment situation. Just over a third (35%)
whilst in the EU the average wage is estimated to be The specific relationship between political parties and
There is evidence to suggest that higher-educated of those who currently work are neither satisfied nor
just over €2000 in 2023. employment opportunities in Albania was also raised,
young people also find it hard to secure jobs that are dissatisfied with their situation. However, as explored
aligned with their skill level in Albania, and to find a Most respondents surveyed (83%) believe that the with young people highlighting that “you have to be above in Chapter 2, job satisfaction is a key priority for
position in their studied profession.88 As explored biggest challenge faced by young people in employment politically engaged to get a job” – (25-29, F, Unemployed, young people, which according to Figure 24, 43% have
above in Chapter 2, an increasing concern and priority in Albania are low wages. While other challenges are Kukes). There are individual experiences of observing achieved (Somewhat satisfied + Very satisfied: 43%).
for young people in our research was finding suitable mentioned – namely long working hours (7%) and those who return from big cities with employment, along
employment in their studied profession. unfavourable working environments (2%) – they pale
in comparison to the former. This is the case across
Research from ETF finds that Albania has a mismatch
various factors, including gender, age, urbanity, region,
in terms of the demand and supply for qualified and
income level and those working in the public vs private
specialised jobs within the country. The supply of
sector, with minimal variations within groups. Indeed,
Albanian students, while falling due to the low birth Figure 24. How satisfied are you with your current employment situation?
82% of those within the top income brackets (75,001-
rate, is notably higher than the demand for qualified
More than 100,000 ALL) believe that low wages are a
jobs. As a result, this drives many highly qualified and
key challenge. Similarly, 9 in 10 (90%) with a Master’s
educated young people to migrate.89
degree point to low wages. Qualitative evidence points
Furthermore, highly educated and qualified youth are to the belief that the evaluation of work and related Not at all satisfied
dissatisfied with the country’s working conditions, wages in Albania are increasingly low compared to other 7% Somewhat unsatisfied
the significance of clientelist networks and personal countries, with young people needing a “fair income for 14%
connections in securing well-paying jobs, the scarcity the work they do” (M, 18-24, Law Student, Berat). Not satisfied nor unsatisfied
of skilled and satisfactory employment opportunities, 16%
The perception is that even where there are Somewhat satisfied
limited prospects for career advancement, and the
opportunities for employment, salaries remain too Very satisfied
overall lack of job security.90
low. Young people are concerned about the impact
of starting their career on a low wage, on their ability Employment
to support themselves: “(…) due to starting from the satisfaction
28%
extremely low initial salaries (…) it’s been keeping me
from meeting some of my primary requirements.” (25-29,
employed, from Vlora but living in Tirana).

36%

88
European Commission. (2020). Albania 2020 Report: Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Author. https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.
europa.eu/system/files/2020-10/albania_report_2020.pdf; Jorgoni, E. (2021). Albania’s preparedness to address the youth employment
challenge through the youth guarantee. European Social Policy Network.https://ec.europa.eu/social/
BlobServlet?docId=24689&langId=en#:~:text=The%20Youth%20Guarantee%20has%20been,school%2Dto%2Dwork%20transition;
Memia, A. (2020). Youth (un)employment in Albania: An analysis of NEET and vulnerable youth. Partners Albania for Development and Change.
https://partnersalbania.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/An-analysis-of-NEET-and-vulnerable-youth-Baseline-study_web.pdf
Partial sample; Unweighted; base n = 494
89
European Training Foundation. (2021). Albania: Education, training, and employment developments 2021. Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/
sites/default/files/document/CFI_Albania_2021.pdf
90
European Training Foundation. (2021). Albania: Education, training, and employment developments 2021. Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/
sites/default/files/document/CFI_Albania_2021.pdf
91
Euronews Albania. (2023). Albania has the lowest minimum wage compared to regional and EU countries. Author. https://euronews.al/en/
albania-has-the-lowest-minimum-wage-compared-to-regional-and-eu-countries/#:~:text=In%20July%202023%2C%20Albania’s%20
minimum,wage%20was%20around%20360%20euros
64 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 65

Interestingly, we see that those who are self-employed/ Young Albanians in the survey reported mixed Regionally, we see that youth from Northern regions “I think young people need to be empowered
entrepreneurs are extremely satisfied with their entrepreneurial aspirations. Understandably, there is are the least interested in entrepreneurship (51% not to become self-employed. We should give
employment, with 71% reporting satisfaction, and only slightly less interest in starting a business in the next interested), while youngsters in Southern regions report
them opportunities for start-ups.” (25-29, F,
6% unsatisfied.92 Employees in the public sector also 5 years amongst the youth, with 38% being interested markedly higher interest at 46% (see Figure 25).
report higher levels of satisfaction compared to those in and 44% reporting not being interested. The main Unemployed but engaging as an activist and
Young people with a Master’s degree were the most volunteer, Kukës).
the private sector (satisfied: 53% of public sector versus perceived barrier to starting a business is a lack of skills
interested in starting a business (47% interested
39% of private sector). It is unsurprising that half of and experience (39%). Overall, employment remains a major concern for the
versus 34% uninterested). As the level of educational
those earning less than minimum wage reported being Albanian youth, and this directly impacts their aspiration
Young men, youth from Southern regions, and those attainment lowers, so does entrepreneurial aspiration,
not satisfied nor unsatisfied, with an additional 29% not to emigrate to other countries – those they consider offer
with the highest levels of educational attainment report with 64% of those with lower secondary education or
satisfied. Those earning 50,001 and above were the better short- and long-term prospects and more potential
the highest interest in starting a business. Young men below reporting disinterest. This may be linked to a
most likely to report job satisfaction (Satisfied: 54% of for success.
are more likely to be interested in starting a business sense of a lack of achievability and preparedness to
50,001-75,000 ALL; 60% of 75,001-More than 100,000
within the next 5 years than young women (Interested: start their own business, where the key concern for this
ALL), which further suggests the link the between job
41% of male versus. 34% of female; Not interested: group was a ‘lack of skills and experience’ (39%).
concerns, satisfaction, and wages.
39% of male vs. 49% of female). The largest concern
It seems the idea of setting up their own business
When asked why they are satisfied or unsatisfied, those for young women in Albania is a mixture of lack of skills
eventually is attractive - many using the word DREAM:
who are satisfied mention that they ‘like the work they do’ and experience (35%), access to finance (25%), and
“I always dreamt of having my own business” (Young
(17%), that they benefit from ‘good income/salary’ (8%), lack of information (21%). Efforts to increase female
person from a low-income family, 18-24, F, Fier), “My
and ‘good working conditions’ (5%), or ‘I feel valued’ (3%) entrepreneurship should focus on enhancing these
dream is to have my own business someday” (25-29, F,
and that their job ‘fulfils their needs’ (3%). On the other areas, with specific female entrepreneurship grants,
employed, Dibër). This suggests a certain unattainability
hand, unsurprisingly the key factors for those who are outreach programmes that provide information on
associated with self-employment.
unsatisfied is ‘low salary’ (26%), and to a much smaller how to start a business, and skills development for the
extent ‘not working in their profession’ (5%), echoing basics in entrepreneurialism. Other main concerns with starting a business are around
issues previously highlighted in this section. access to finance (23%), lack of information (17%),
government regulations and requirements (8%), access
4.2.6. Mixed interest in entrepreuneurship, to mentors (4%), connections and networks (3%), social/
with lower educated youth in Northern cultural constraints (1%), and gender constraints (1%).

regions least interested in starting

their businesses
Albania has always had a remarkably high percentage of
self-employment since the transition to an open market
economy. According to the World Bank, the proportion
of self-employed people in 1991 was 64.4% and remains
high in 2023 at 53% - for comparison, the proportion of
self-employment in the EU in 2023 stands at 14.4%.93 Figure 25. How interested are you in starting your own business within the next 5 years? By region.

60%
51%
48% 46%
45%
37%
30% 30%
30% 24%
19%
15%
15%

0%
Northern Central Southern

Not interested Neither interested Interested

(at all + somewhat) nor uninterested (very + somewhat)

92
Please note this is indicative due to the small base number, n=35
93
World Bank. (2023). Albania: Indicators. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.EMP.SELF.ZS?locations=AL Partial sample excluding existing entrepreneurs; Unweighted; base n = 1121
66 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 67

4.3. Migration
Demographically, Albania has been affected by both Countries like England, Italy, and Germany emerge Qualitative insights from young people from Kukës When considering those who currently have no income
international and internal migration since the 1990s as the preferred destinations for these emigrants. suggest that a major contributor to young people (a subgroup largely made up of students), intention to
and the trend is still very current today. Between 1989 The determination of these individuals is not solely emigrating from the county is the standard of living, emigrate increases to 84% along with 83% of those on
and 2001, approximately 20% of the total population restricted to the act of emigration but extends to their which is simultaneously further affecting the economic less than minimum wage – hence confirming the strong
(710,000 people) lived outside the country. anticipated roles in their host nations. Many envisage and social potential of the county. Kukës residents link between employment prospects, wages, and intent
Recent figures show that an estimated 40% of the playing integral roles by assimilating into local cultures, interviewed shared concerns of the symbiotic nature of to emigrate. Similarly in rural areas and the Northern
Albanian population (around 1.2 million to 1.4 million acquiring language proficiency, and significantly this migration difficulty: young people have left Kukës region, the desire for international experiences and
people) has emigrated since the fall of communism contributing to the workforce. due to a lack of job opportunities, which has now led intention to emigrate is strong. 83% of rural youth
in 1991, and approximately 42,000 people leave the to a lack of inhabitants to both support and work for who indicated willingness to move are intending
In the survey, two thirds of the young Albanians
country each year on average, establishing Albania businesses, lower birth rates, and a population decrease. to emigrate to pursue employment opportunities,
interviewed (65%) say that they would be willing to
as the country with the highest rate of migration in It was suggested that “Job opportunities exist, but people compared to 76% of urban counterparts. Factors such
move to another country. Qualitative discussions
Central and Eastern Europe (relative to its population).94 are missing, and those who have left before, of course, as economic constraints and limited prospects in their
revealed that some feel that Albania is currently seeing
The largest community of Albanians outside of Albania won’t come back when they see that there are no people” home region prompt considerations of emigration. “In
another wave of migration, reminiscent of the post-
are found in Greece (600,000) and Italy (250,000) – (Young person, F, 18-24, employed, Kukës). Indeed, it recent years, there has been massive emigration from
communist, post-collapse of ‘pyramid’ investment
most likely driven by linguistic and cultural similarities appears to feel a self-fulfilling prophecy that high levels Kukes. Many young people have left.” (18-24, F, Masters
schemes migration in 1997.100/101 There is also a sense
and geographical proximity. of migration out of Kukës due to low living standards student, Kukes).
that despite many young people having left already,
feeds even worse standards for those who remain.
As a result, data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) there is still a generation of young Albanians, aged 16 Overall, the most attractive countries across all Next
from January 2022 shows that the Albanian population and above, who want to leave Albania - “When looking And overall, of those who indicated a willingness to Generation Albania survey respondents are Germany
stood at 2.79 million people, reflecting a decline of at my community or friends, a considerable number of move across the sample, 79% reported that they (37%), Italy (14%), and Canada (12%) (see Figure 26
3.9% since 201195 - 27% of them are aged between people are gone, while the rest that is still here wants intend to do so to pursue employment opportunities. below). The UK comes in 5th position, with 8% of
15 to 29 years. Notably, a considerable proportion of to leave and only a few are left in Albania.” (F, 25-29, “The difference is money. There, they have more money respondents considering it most attractive.
these young individuals, as captured in official statistics, Lawyer, Tirana). than here, and the idea is that when you work there, you
have already emigrated. In this section we will explore get the value of your work.” (M, 18-24, Young person
For example, in Kukës, a largely rural county in Northern
the motivations for youth emigration, the brain drain from a Roma background, Unemployed, Tirana). 91%
Albania and one of Albania’s poorest regions, we see
phenomenon and the economic impact of emigration of young people who are currently unemployed but
marked pessimism on the perceptions of the standard
on Albania. searching for work and are willing to move indicate their
of living, and linked emigration. Recent polling suggests
intention to emigrate for employment opportunities.
that Kukës has lost more than half of its population to
4.3.1. Youth emigration is mostly motivated emigration since the 1990s due to the low quality of
by a quest for better employment life and opportunity.102 Almost three quarters (73%)
The European Training Foundation underscores that of respondents in Kukës rated the standard of living
half of Albanians with intentions to emigrate belongs in Albania to be ‘bad’,103 nearly twice the proportion
to the 18 to 34 age bracket.96 Despite a recent decline of those with the same opinion in Tirana, (39%: ‘bad’). Figure 26. Which of the following countries do you think are most attractive to you personally?
in the aspiration to work abroad, dropping to 42% This is in line with earlier reports, which found in 2021,
from 50% in 2019, this still constitutes a significant living standards in Kukës are 19% of the EU average,
trend.97 Unsurprisingly, Western Europe emerges as comparing GDP per capita according to purchasing Germany 37%
the preferred destination for economic opportunities power parity, with Tirana reporting a standard of living
Italy 14%
as Albania’s per capita income is 31% of the EU’s equal to 42.6% of the EU.104
Canada 12%
average in 2019.98/99
USA 9%
UK 8%
94
Hoxhaj, A. (2022). Written evidence submitted by Dr Ando Hoxhaj. Home Affairs Select Committee.
https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/114643/pdf/
France 6%
95
INSTAT. (2022). The population of Albania. Author. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/the-population-of- Other 5%
albania/#:~:text=Decreasing%20population,2011%20has%20decreased%20by%203.9%20%25.
96
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans? Australia 5%
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_Western%20Balkans.pdf
Turkey 1%
97
Regional Cooperation Council. (2023). Balkan Public Barometer. https://www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer/results/2/public
98
Regional Cooperation Council. (2023). Balkan Public Barometer. https://www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer/results/2/public Greece 1%
99
International Labour Organisation. (2023). Statistics in Europe and Central Asia. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/europe-and-central-asia/ Saudi Arabia 1%
100
In 1997, one third of Albania’s population lost money in the collapse of multiple pyramid schemes. This collapse led to mass evacuation of
foreign nationals and emigration of Albanians. Brazil 1%
Jarvis, C. (2000). The Rise and Fall of Albania’s Pyramid Schemes. International Monetary Fund. Argentina 1%
101

https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2000/03/jarvis.htm .
102
House of Commons. (2023). Asylum and Migration: Albania.
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmhaff/197/report.html. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
103
Please note the total n=30 respondents.
104
EuroStat. (2023). Actual Individual consumption per capita in 2022.
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20230620-2. Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
68 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 69

‘’
Once again, the primary reasons these countries 4.3.2. Albania has the highest human does not offer good living conditions” (Young person, M,
are perceived to be attractive are employment flight and brain drain in Europe 18-24, High School student, Vlora) whilst others feel that
opportunities (50%) whilst qualitatively there are also “the wrong thing is that if everyone leaves, no doctors
related mentions of ‘better pay’ and ‘meritocracy’. Two thirds of the One of the most worrying impacts of this emigration will be left, and all the time and effort spent on them will

young Albanians
Language, history, and culture (22%), education (17%), phenomenon is its impact on the educational be for nothing.” (Young person, M, 25-29, Computer
quality of life (8%), are also significant motivators. composition of the workforce and human capital Engineering student, Berat).
Similar aspirations are echoed by those who had interviewed (65%) formation, often referred to as “brain drain”,
experienced by Albania. Our Next Generation Survey The impact of emigration is also felt generally by
previously lived abroad for more than 3 consecutive
months (21% of the survey sample - 61% of which
say that they would found that three quarters of respondents with a those young people still in Albania across employment
sectors. They fear that the phenomenon will lead to
be willing to move to
Master’s (75%) or Bachelors (76%) degree intend to
are male versus 39% female). The primary reason emigrate to pursue employment opportunities.105 labour shortages and various economic challenges.
for living in another country was due to work (54%),
followed by family (24%), and study (13%). The top three another country Indeed, emigration rates are higher among the highly
“I would say it has a negative impact because whether we
like it or not, the youth constitute a significant part of the
countries that respondents had lived in previously are educated in Albania according to research by the workforce.” (F, 18-24, Student, Tirana).
reflected in Figure 27 and unsurprisingly the first 2 of European Training Foundation, and they also show
lower return rates, where the highly educated account In many ways, these fears are justified as the current
these countries are those with the largest Albanian
for around 40% of the cumulative outflow.106 “I know rates of emigration are having a real economic impact
communities outside of Albania.
many young people in the technical and information on Albania, explored in the next section.
Interestingly, the reasons for living abroad are department who have been super capable, and of those
gendered. Male respondents are over three times 4.3.3. The economic impact of emigration
people who know many in Albania and they are going
more likely to have lived abroad for work than abroad. So, they migrated” (Young person, 25-29, social The youth dependency ratio in Albania stands at 24%,
those who identified as female (77% M vs. 23% F). worker, Tirana). underscoring the significance of Albania’s young
Female respondents are significantly more likely to demographic in shaping the nation’s future trajectory
have lived abroad for family than those who identified Fund for Peace’s “Human Flight and Brain Drain but also underlining the imperative that they will be
as male (63% F vs. 37% M), with a relatively more even Indicator” shows Albania has the highest human pivotal in charting the future direction of Albania.111
gender split of those living abroad to study flight and brain drain level in Europe (8.1/10), and
joint sixth highest in the world behind only Samoa, The persistent issue of youth emigration in Albania
(59% F vs. 41% M).
Micronesia, Somalia, Sao Tome and Principe, Syria, is having an increasingly pronounced impact on the
and Honduras.107/108 The trend of young, and higher nation’s socio-economic landscape. The estimated
educated people being the most likely to emigrate in economic cost of emigration is estimated at 1.9%
recent years is opposite to that of around a decade of GDP, highlighting the very significant loss made
ago, where the desire to migrate was higher among on investments channelled into human capital.112
Figure 27: Top three countries lived in previously most recently. generally less educated young people (had lower The Westminster Fund for Democracy estimates
qualifications, likely to be unemployed, and/or on a the loss to represent approximately €559 million
low income).109 annually (€14,900 of potential annual GDP per person
emigrating).113 The opportunity costs of emigration on
The Albanian government is trying to address this in education are also high: education spending is around
different ways – for example, facing the increased 3.6% of GDP, combined with emigration costs at 1.9%
migration of newly qualified doctors from Albania, a new of GDP, which implies a loss of investment in human
measure requires them to work in Albania for five years capital due to emigration far from negligible.114
before getting their diplomas.110 However, perceptions
of this recent measure are mixed. Some think that
“people are free to follow their hearts and desires for life.
I think emigration happens because our country.

105
This is of the 67% of Master’s and 62% Bachelor students who are willing to move.
106
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans?
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_Western%20Balkans.pdf
107
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans?
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_Western%20Balkans.pdf
108
Fund for Peace. (2020). Fragile States Index Annual Report 2020. Author. https://fundforpeace.org/2020/05/11/fragile-states-index-2020/
109
European Training Foundation. (2021). How migration, human capital and the labour market interact in Albania. Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/
sites/default/files/2021-09/migration_albania.pdf
110
Balkan Insight. (2023). Rama Conditions medical degrees on five year work in Albania. https://balkaninsight.com/2023/07/05/rama-
conditions-medical-degrees-on-five-years-work-in-albania/.
111
INSTAT. (2015). Youth in Albania: Challenges in changing times. https://www.instat.gov.al/media/1583/youth_in_albania_challenges_in_
changing_times.pdf
Partial sample - those who reported living abroad; Unweighted; base n = 242 112
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans?
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_Western%20Balkans.pdf
113
Westminster Foundation for Democracy. (2019). Cost of Youth Emigration in the Western Balkans. Author. https://www.wfd.org/what-we-do/
resources/cost-youth-emigration-western-balkans
114
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans?
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_Western%20Balkans.pdf
70 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 71

However, on a more positive note, remittances from In a landscape rife with contrasts, the experiences Despite this, the analysis of our Next Generation survey Other types of discrimination based on gender,
those who emigrated are thought to account for at least of minorities demonstrate the pressing need for data offers a slightly different picture as discrimination economic status and political views surface clearly in
31% of Albania’s GDP in the second quarter.115 comprehensive policy interventions to counteract the on the basis of ‘Race/Ethnic background’ is the third our survey as significant.
still pervasive social stigmas. most recognised type of discrimination (45% disagree
In conclusion, the trend of youth emigration from
that this group is treated equally to others) following 4.4.2. People with disabilities suffer from
Albania presents many challenges for the country with 4.4.1. Significant perceived discrimination discriminations based on disability (50%) and sexual
far-reaching implications for its socio-economic future. discrimination but some display high
based on sexual orientation, disability, orientation (48%) (see Figure 28).
Underpinning these migration trends are a number education achievement through sheer
and race/ethnicity
of economic issues, demographic characteristics, These results show not only a much lower level determination
and regional preferences, all of which contribute to a The landscape of discrimination and tolerance in of recognition and acknowledgement of these
Albania as perceived by its youth is full of contrasts. According to a report by USAID, there are over 143,000
complex picture that invites scrutiny. discriminations versus other studies but more
Last decade, there was evidence that the youth officially registered people with disabilities in Albania,
importantly an overall relatively low absolute level
many of whom experience high levels of unemployment,
4.4. Social marginalisation recognised the existence of discrimination, particularly of recognition of these discriminations.
often lack access to basic medical and education
rooted in regional and rural backgrounds, their
As mentioned in previous chapters, social Other types of discrimination based on gender, opportunities, and suffer stigmatisation and isolation
tolerance levels for specific communities differ and that
marginalisation is well documented in Albania. economic status and political views surface clearly in from society.122 Despite Albanian legislation providing
across the SEE region, that there was a lack of social
This section delves into a crucial aspect of societal our survey as significant. for protection of human rights, this has done little to
sensitivity toward discrimination.119 The same studies
dynamics: the reality and impact of discrimination also raised concerning observation on intolerance These results show not only a much lower level integrate people with disabilities into Albanian society.
against marginalised groups. Focusing on communities towards the LGBTQI+ community, with a significant of recognition and acknowledgement of these And unfortunately, data concerning people with
that have historically faced challenges in accessing proportion of young Albanians expressing discomfort at discriminations versus other studies but more disabilities remains scarce.
equal opportunities and rights, such as the Roma and the thought of homosexuals living in their vicinity. importantly an overall relatively low absolute level of
Egyptian communities, and individuals with disabilities, recognition of these discriminations.
we explore social cohesion and the discrimination that The Balkan Barometer depicts a general acceptance of
may have shaped their experiences. the Roma community among Albanians.120 More recently
though, Albanians (non-youth specific) in the Balkan
Aside from the social consequences of Barometer show tolerance of Roma communities. Figure 28. In Albania, people are treated equally regardless of their…
discrimination, the economic tribulations of Albania For instance, 90% said they would be comfortable
have disproportionately affected marginalised working with a Roma, 85% agreed that the government
communities such as migrants, youth with disabilities, should do more to ensure better housing conditions for 100%
the LGBTQI+ community, as well as members of the Roma (97% for people with disabilities), and 93% said
Roma and Egyptian communities. As highlighted by a the government should provide affirmative measures 28%
report from the European Commission, this has further 32% 36% 34% 35% 33% 32% 32%
– promote opportunities for equal access to Roma 40%
implications for unemployment, which is notably population when applying for a public or private sector 75% 46%
high, especially among women, the youth, Roma and job (98% for people with disabilities). However, only 17%
Egyptians, and those with disabilities.116 Their lived would be comfortable marrying a Roma.121 22%
21% 20%
experiences recount tales of inadequate access to 26% 25% 22% 27%
50% 25%
resources, pervasive mental health challenges, and 26%
19%
encounters with discrimination.117 Equal access to
education also remains a challenge. Notably, within
the Roma community, the educational attainment 25% 50%
42% 41% 43% 45% 48%
remains low, with only 1% of its youth having completed 39% 34% 35% 41%
secondary education. Similarly, the figure is just 5%
for Balkan Egyptians.118
0%
Age Disability Gender Job Citizenship Political Race/ Religion/ Sexual Socio-
status status beliefs Ethnicity Spiritual orientation economic
tradition status
115
Hoxhaj, A. (2022). Analysis: Albania’s ghost towns - the crisis that caused the exodus. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/nov/analysis-
albanias-ghost-towns-crisis-caused-exodus
Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree
116
European Commission. (2020). Albania 2020 Report: Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Author. https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.
europa.eu/system/files/2020-10/albania_report_2020.pdf
117
Miconi, D., Dervishi, E., Wiium, N., Johnson-Lafleur, J., Ibrahimi, S., & Rousseau, C. (2021). Egyptian and Roma Adolescents’ Perspectives on Their
Developmental Assets in Albania During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of research on adolescence : the official journal of the Society for Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
Research on Adolescence, 31(3), 576–594.
118
UNESCO. (2017). Albania education policy review: Issues and recommendations. Author. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/
pf0000259245
119
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”. Friedrich
Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10056.pdf; Flere, S., Hurrelmann, K., Klanjšek, R., Lavrič, M., Reimbold, H., &
Taleski, D. (2015). Lost in democratic transition? Political challenges and perspectives for young people in southeast Europe. Friedrich Ebert
Stiftung. 122
USAID. (n.d.). Fact sheet: Support for persons with disabilities. Author. https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/albania/news-information/fact-sheets/
120
Regional Cooperation Council. (2023). Balkan Public Barometer. fact-sheet-support-persons-disabilities-and-disability-rights
121
Regional Cooperation Council. (2023). Balkan public barometer. Author.
72 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 73

Despite the law “On Promotion of Employment of Every time we want to use public transport, most of The adoption of the National Action Plans for Roma facing systemic barriers and discrimination, in all parts
Persons with Disabilities” in 2019 (establishing quotas the buses have the ramp we need, but they don’t use and Egyptian minorities (2021-2025) affirms the of life. “Now, we are in 2023, and young people will listen
on employing people with disabilities to 4% percent it.” (25-29, F, young person with a physical disability, Albanian Government’s commitment to further advance to some music, and you have Noizy with all those songs,
of all employees) and “On the Adoption of the National employed, Tirana). “antigypsyism” and address it in public policies through mentioning discrimination and using discriminatory
Action plan for Persons with Disabilities - 2021-2025”, systemic and structural change in order to contribute insults like “gypsy,” etc”. (25-29, M, Roma community,
However, amidst these challenges, we uncovered a
employment rates of people with disabilities remain to an Albanian society free from discrimination against employed, Tirana).
perseverance among most participants with disabilities
low. In our Next Generation survey, 27% of young Roma and Egyptians.
to achieve significant educational milestones, such Our Next Generation survey found comparably high
people with a disability report being currently
as high school completion, bachelor’s and master’s Economic hardships of the Roma and Egyptian levels of unemployment of Roma and Egyptian youth,
unemployed, compared to 17% of those who do
degrees, and the acquisition of valuable skills. In our communities in Albania is well documented.127 compared to Albanian (see Figure 29). Whilst only 10%
not. According to a report by UNDP (United Nations
Next Generation survey, just under a quarter of young Low levels of education have a significant impact on of Albanian respondents are currently unemployed
Development Programme) from 2019, people with
people with a disability (24%) reported receiving their ability to gain employment and in turn restrict and looking for a job, this increases to 27% of Egyptian
disabilities tend to hold low-paid jobs and tend to be
a master’s or equivalent level – on par with those their earning. A UNESCO (United Nations Educational, youth and 38% of Roma youth. Roma and Egyptian
the first ones to lose their jobs, this is in the context
who do not have a disability (22%). In some cases, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) report highlights youth are also more likely to report being currently
of higher living expenses (estimated to 2 to 3 times
these experiences catalysed personal growth and that in Roma communities, only 1% of youth (ages 7 unemployed and not looking for a job compared to
higher than people without disabilities).123 In line
resilience within individuals, fostering the cultivation to 20) have completed a secondary education, and Albanian counterparts. Qualitative insights suggest this
with this, 19% of our respondents who considered
of inner strengths, effective coping mechanisms, this figure stands at just 5% for Balkan Egyptians.128 lack of searching for employment may be linked to a
themselves to have a disability are currently earning
and determination to contribute to positive change. The overall unemployment rate remains high, sense of despondency where many Roma and Egyptian
less than minimum wage, compared to just 10% of
Participants strongly advocated for improved although no official data is available. According to a youth noted that they are discriminated against in the
those who do not. One of the barriers mentioned is the
accessibility, inclusive education, and expanded UNICEF study, almost half of the surveyed Roma are in workplace, so they have more opportunity abroad,
lack of ability of Employment Services staff to be able
opportunities for individuals with disabilities. long-term unemployment. Almost 78% of Roma families as in Albania “just because we are Roma, they won’t
to support their needs. Despite this, it is noteworthy
are categorised in the “very poor” group.129 For all these hire us” (F, 25-29, Employed in informal sector, Roma
that 38% of youth with disabilities in our survey earn
within the medium income brackets (34,001-75,000
4.4.3. Roma and Egyptian communities reasons, those from minority groups feel marginalised, youth, Tirana).

ALL), compared to 36% of those who do not have a experience discrimination in every facet
disability, suggesting a potential shifting of opportunity of life – including schooling, housing
and earning potentially for some youth with disabilities. and employment
Similarly, access to education remains more limited The Roma and Egyptian communities are among the
for children with disabilities. Figures show that only 75% most politically, economically and socially neglected
of children with disabilities are registered in primary groups in the country. According to a 2003 World Bank Figure 29. Unemployment by ethnicity.
school versus 96% of those with no disability.124 report, the end of communism in Albania marked the
beginning of the Roma’s steep decline into extreme
As a result, adults and children experience feelings of
poverty.125 Low skills, the collapse of state-run industries
disconnection and marginalisation, with the wider 38%
and agricultural enterprises impacted harshly on Roma 40%
society scarcely recognising their value. This is echoed
and Egyptians. In addition to widespread societal
qualitatively in the Next Generation data, exposing
discrimination, these groups generally suffer from
societal constraints these young people encounter,
high illiteracy, particularly among children; poor health 30% 27%
leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness due to 24%
conditions; lack of education; and marked economic
the lack of inclusive opportunities. “I’ve experienced
disadvantages. A report by the European Commission 19%
more depression than things that make me happy. (…) 20%
in November 2006 noted that 78% of the Roma lived
they (my friends) would go to school or do things, and I
in poverty and 39% in extreme poverty. There are no
would be left alone. (…) I started a hairdressing course 10%
official figures for the size of either community, but it is 10%
and completed it, but I didn’t get a job because they
estimated that the Roma community counts between 6%
didn’t accept me being in a wheelchair.” (25-29, M, young
80,000 to 150,000 and the Egyptian community
person with a physical disability, unemployed, Tirana).
200,000 to 250,000 by the Union of the Egyptians of 0%
Part of the issue is of course the lack of adequate Albania (although the figure is contested).126 Albanian (n=1069) Roma (n=37) Egyptian (n=45)
infrastructure restricting mobility for people with
physical disabilities. “Infrastructure is the first part, it’s
what hinders us from separating the home from the
outside life. And another thing is transportation. Unemployed and not looking for a job Unemployed but looking for a job

123
United Nations Development Programme. (2019). Employment and vet policy reform in Albania: The Employment Social Fund. Author. https://
www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/al/WEB_technical-note-1-.pdf
124
Regional Cooperation Council. (n.d.). Employment of persons with disabilities in Albania. 127
UNICEF. (2021). Albania: Country Office Annual Report 2021. Author. www.unicef.org/media/115791/file/Albania-2021-COAR.pdf
www.esap.online/download/docs/PWD%20analysis_AL.PDF/547db2cf334355bd41e082516f963c0f.pdf 128
UNESCO. (2017). Albania education policy review: Issues and recommendations.
125
De Soto, H. (2000). Roma and Egyptians in Albania. World Bank. Author. www.unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000259245
126
United Nations Development Programme. (2015). Roma and Egyptians in Albania: A socio-demographic and economic profile based on the 2011 129
United Nations Development Programme. (2015). Roma and Egyptians in Albania: A socio-demographic and economic profile based on the 2011
census. www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/al/Census-2011-Profile-of-Roma-and-Egyptians-final.pdf. census. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/al/Census-2011-Profile-of-Roma-and-Egyptians-final.pdf.
74 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 75

In line with the context, unsurprising patterns emerge Indeed, young people from the Roma community Different social norms also affect these communities’
when examining responses from different marginalised shared experiences of pervasive discrimination experiences. Some face early responsibilities, such as
communities in the Next Generation, showing that and difficulties throughout their lives, from difficult working from an early age to support their families.
marginalised groups exhibit a higher level of awareness childhoods marked by financial limitations to a lack of This often impacted their educational opportunities and
regarding discrimination than those from majority access to proper education and disconnection from emotional well-being. Early marriages are prevalent.
groups. For instance, a substantial majority of Roma society. For most Roma youth (86%) in our survey, the The 2011 census is confirming these observations with
(79%, n=33) and Egyptian (63%, n=31) respondents highest level of education attained was lower secondary 19% of Roma women being married in the age group
disagree that people are treated equally regardless education or below, followed by 62% of Egyptian youth 13 to 17 years old. The gender gap is pronounced
of their race or ethnicity.130 In contrast, a significantly (Figure 30). When compared with only 9% of Albanian at this early age: if almost half of the Roma women
smaller proportion (23%) of Albanian respondents share youth, we see a stark contrast speaking to various aged 18 were already married, this was the case of
the same perspective. This discrepancy underscores levels of exclusion. Qualitatively, some Roma youth only a quarter of the Roma men. Some participants
the pronounced awareness and lived experience report feelings of being viewed as ‘other’. As one young to the Next Generation programme had encountered
of discrimination within marginalised communities, person shared: “They see us with a different eye. Imagine abusive relationships and divorces, which affected
reflecting a heightened sensitivity to issues of inequality speaking your language, and they say “gypsy”” (25-29, M, their emotional and mental health (see Figure 31 as
based on race and ethnicity. From the Roma community, Unemployed, Tirana). an example).
Through the ‘river of life’ journeys, one young Roma
woman recounted “My childhood was not beautiful as we
faced many economic difficulties. I got married at 15 and
gave birth to three children. After the birth of my three
children, there was a separation, and I went through a
difficult emotional time. I have faced many economic
difficulties and lack work opportunities.” This is explored
in the below case study. Key concerns for ‘Lindita’ are
employment opportunities, wage levels, the cost of
Figure 30. Respondents whose highest level of education is lower secondary education or below by ethnicity. living and discrimination.131

86%
90%

62%
68%

45%

23%
9%

0%
Albanian (n=1069) Roma (n=37) Egyptian (n=45)

130
Please note this is indicative as a result of the small base number. 131
Pseudonym. Content in the case study has been extracted from qualitative interview.
76 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 77

Figure 31. Case study of ‘Lindita’, 25-29, employed in informal work, Tirana. The prevalence of early marriage in the Roma In 2022, a nationwide survey revealed the
community was highlighted by some as a factor prevalence of the low acceptance levels when it
prohibiting inclusion in Albanian society. “We marry comes to interacting with LGBTIQ+ people day to day.
children at 13 years old, it’s no longer the time for Less than 1 in 5 Albanians (16.4%) have had a social
that. We are in 2023, Education is crucial, especially or professional relationship with someone from the
in the Romani Egyptian community.” (25-29, M, Roma LGBTIQ+ community and only around 1 in 10 Albanians
Case study community, employed, Tirana). would accept someone from the LGBT community as
a friend (12.5%), neighbour (14.3%), colleague (14.7%),
4.4.4. LGBTQI+ people experience
Young Roma woman
boss (12.9%), or family doctor (9.3%).134 And the results
discrimination and sexual violence among the younger generations were just as refusing of
Officially, homosexuality has been decriminalised the LGBTIQ+ community as older generations.135
since 1995 in Albania and anti-discrimination and anti- A 2021 report by ILGA (gay rights organisation) states
Location Barriers hate-crime legislation is in place (2010). In October that discrimination against the LGBTQI+ population in
2020, Albania’s anti-discrimination law was expanded Albania had increased since the start of the COVID-19
Tirana, Albania • Discrimination in employment and education to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex pandemic and reports that one in five had been
opportunities, based on Roma ethnicity. characteristics and HIV status. Also in 2020, Albania’s sexually harassed and some had been raped.136
Profile • Low wages and harsh working conditions as psychologists banned the so-called “conversion
a result of discrimination in formal therapy”, which tries to change the sexual orientation of As a result, a survey by the Streha organisation which
• Aged 25-29
employment: “With that money, how can we young LGBT people – making Albania the 3rd European offers shelter to LGBT community members, found
• Divorced that 80% of 200 LGBT respondents had considered
support ourselves or the houses? I work 10 country to impose such a ban. The adoption of the
• Mother of 3 children hours a day for 40,000 ALL” National Action Plans for the LGBTI community (2021- leaving Albania.137
• Previously emigrated, and returned 2027) further affirms the Albanian Government’s
Intention to emigrate

‘’
• Employment in informal work commitment to further address the specific needs of
“I 100% see my future abroad, because it is 100 the Albanian LGBTI community. It also has a specific
Story times better than Albania” focus on the effective delivery of services and
promoting LGBTQI+ human rights across the country.
In a largely patriarchal
• Married at 15 and gave birth to three
children at an early age However, in a largely patriarchal society, those who are
• Separated from her husband, which was open about their sexual orientation are often judged by
family and friends. Although generally tolerant, young
society, those who
Key concerns
are open about their
very difficult emotionally, and economically.
During this time, her children were taken Albanians express general intolerance of gay people.132

sexual orientation are

away from her. Employment opportunities 55% of Albanian young people would feel bad if a gay
couple moved into their neighbourhood.133 Indeed, our
• Due to economic difficulty, she emigrated for
three years, but returned as it was a lonely
Next Generation survey found that almost half (48%) of
respondents disagree that in Albania young people are
often judged by family
•
experience, and she missed her family.
Currently lives with her mother, and struggles
Wage levels treated equally based on their sexual orientation. and friends
covering the costs of herself and her children
due to her low salary in informal work.
Discrimination
• Currently works 10 hours a day in recycling.
• Main concern is being able to afford to look
after her children, and that they will also be
discriminated again for being Roma, “Here, Cost of living
they don’t even accept our children in school”

Trust in politics and institutions

Climate change
“We have no interest of trust in politics...
because nobody respects us”

Distrust Political engagement

132
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”. Friedrich
Ebert Stiftung.
133
Çela, A., Kamberi, G., & Pici, E. (2015). Albanian youth 2015: “Slow change, internet dependency and … EU trust”. Freidrich Ebert Stiftung.
134
Euronews Albania. (2022). How open are Albanian citizens to the LGBT+ community? Author. https://euronews.al/en/how-open-are-albanian-
citizens-to-the-lgbt-community/
135
Euronews Albania. (2022). How open are Albanian citizens to the LGBT+ community? Author. https://euronews.al/en/how-open-are-albanian-
citizens-to-the-lgbt-community/
136
ILGA Europe. (2022). Albania. www.ilga-europe.org/files/uploads/2022/06/ALBANIA.pdf.
137
ILGA Europe. (2022). Albania. www.ilga-europe.org/files/uploads/2022/06/ALBANIA.pdf.
78 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 79

Chapter 5
Youth engagement
Civic and political engagement are low in Albania but Present-day politics of Albania
there’s a growing sense that change will require further Albania currently operates as a unitary parliamentary
participation. While the country is still transitioning constitutional republic, following its 1998 constitution.
politically, economically, and socially, the perspectives The President is elected by a three-fifths majority vote
and participation levels of the young people will have a in Parliament every five years, while the Prime Minister
massive impact on its future and are therefore worthy is elected through universal suffrage without term
of exploration. limits. The country’s separation of powers and checks
and balances align with international and European
5.1 Political outlook and engagement standards, per the Council of Europe’s assessment.141
Since the 1991 democratic reforms, the Democratic
and Socialist parties have dominated elections, with the
Political history and present-day politics
Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, winning
of Albania the 2021 election. Despite democratic principles and
Political history peaceful elections, Albania is regarded as a “flawed
Albania’s political history has been marked by a series democracy” due to procedural shortcomings and
of transitions and geopolitical shifts. It served as a allegations of electoral irregularities.142 The constitution
bridgehead for various empires, including the Ottoman prohibits discrimination and upholds civil rights, with
Empire. After gaining independence in 1912, political active involvement of ethnic minorities and women
instability persisted, with foreign powers like Italy, at the national level, though disparities exist between
Greece, and Serbia exerting influence. World War II urban and rural areas in terms of political inclusiveness.
saw occupation by Italy and later Germany, followed The Albanian government faces multiple challenges,
by Yugoslav-backed communist rule under Enver including addressing the cost-of-living crisis, advancing
Hoxha. Albania’s path to political isolation began when judiciary reform, and making strides in EU accession
it broke ties with Yugoslavia in 1948 and subsequently negotiations. The country’s high poverty rates and low
aligned with the USSR and later China.138 By 1990, political trust make it vulnerable to political instability
decades of isolation and economic hardship led to and social unrest.143
anti-government protests. The collapse of communism
in Eastern Europe in 1991 led to multi-party elections,
but political dissatisfaction, fraud claims, and the
Pyramid Scheme crisis fuelled unrest and the Albanian
Civil War in 1997.139 Rexhep Meidani presided over the
country’s transition until 2002. In the 21st century,
Albania focused on European integration, becoming an
EU candidate in 2014 and holding intergovernmental
conferences with the EU in 2022.140

138
Danja, E. (2022). Women, Migration and Gendered Experiences: The Case of Post-1991 Albanian Migration. Springer.
139
Danja, E. (2022). Women, Migration and Gendered Experiences: The Case of Post-1991 Albanian Migration. Springer.
140
Danja, E. (2022). Women, Migration and Gendered Experiences: The Case of Post-1991 Albanian Migration. Springer.
141
Parsons, S. (2020). Albania Country Strategy. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. www.readkong.com/page/albania-
country-strategy-2020-2025-approved-by-the-board-1205068
142
Economist Intelligence Unit. (2022). Democracy Index 2022. Author. www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2022
143
Economist Intelligence Unit. (n.d.). Albania. Author. https://country.eiu.com/Albania
80 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 81

5.1.1 Widespread distrust in political This was further explored in qualitative discussions, As a result of the negative associations with politics,
parties, candidates and the electoral where young people pointed to corruption, news stories young people often feel that there is a certain stigma
about corrupt politicians, and negative perceptions of with being engaged in politics which can act as a
system linked to perceptions of corruption
political figures as factors contributing to this lack of potential barrier for future political participation among
and nepotism in the political system trust. Many young people also shared the perception young people.
There is a high degree of distrust in the political system that those who are engaged in political parties do so to
among the Albanian youth, with 65% indicating they secure employment or for individual gain, as opposed “Our society thinks that everyone that
have no or not much trust in the political system (Figure to having a genuine interest in politics and being able to decides to participate in politics is bad,
32). The trust tends to be especially low amongst freely express themselves. because of our actual politicians now.
central, rural, Egyptian and unemployed youth. This is So, they think everyone is the same as
consistent with previous studies which indicate that “I think today some young people see
them and they don’t think that a young
the Central Electoral Commission, political parties, and involvement in politics as an opportunity
activist can change something for better
parliament were the least trusted entities, a sentiment for employment. I think this is very wrong
echoed in a more recent study showing that 58% of the in our society” (18-24, M, Youth activist in
because in our context, politics is a real
youth had no faith in political parties.144/145 student and youth activities).
trap.” (25-29, F, employed, Korçë).
Previous studies also show that politics is often 5.1.2 Young people feel politically
considered by young people as a non-transparent space frustrated rather than disinterested
associated with scandals, illegal and criminal activities.146 and apathetic
These perspectives generate a sense of the potential
Figure 32. What level of trust do you have in your political system? Previous youth studies in Albania paint the picture of
repercussions of political involvement and a general
widespread disinterest in politics and political apathy
sentiment that politics in Albania are associated
on the part of young people. For example, in the 2015
with risks. One participant pointed out that political
study, only around 28% of surveyed 18-27-year-olds
engagement is regarded unsafe, particularly
39% stated consistently voting in past elections.147 In the
40% beyond urban centres like Tirana. In more remote
2018-19 study, 62% of young Albanians claimed to be
areas, discussions are influenced by individuals
not at all interested in politics.148
who may not have honest intentions but rather are
30% connected through neighbourhood affiliations. This At first glance, our study confirms this narrative – over
26% 26%
dissuades genuine participation, leading to a lack of half of young people aged 18-30 (55%) report feeling
representation from genuine and honest citizens. very unengaged with politics. This relatively high level
20%
of disengagement is constant across age, urbanity,
“One of the reasons I believe that young region, ethnicity, and gender groups, although young
10% 8% people are so unwilling to engage, is a women are significantly more disengaged with politics
deep problem as politics is not safe in (80%), reportedly more so than young men (72%) (see
1% Figure 33).
Albania. Perhaps in Tirana, people can
0%
gather to discuss in youth forums but in
I have no trust in I do not have I have some trust in I have trust in the I have a lot of trust in
the political system much trust in the the political system political system the political system
the farthest or smallest cities, these
political system discussions are usually not made by
thoughtful people but are made by
neighbourhood gangsters.”
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155 (25-29, F, employed, Tirana).

146
Westminster Foundation for Democracy. (2019). National survey: Young people and politics in Albania.
144
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”. Author. www.wfd.org/what-we-do/resources/national-survey-young-people-and-politics-albania
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10056.pdf 147
Çela, A., Kamberi, G., & Pici, E. (2015). Albanian youth 2015: “Slow change, internet dependency and … EU trust”. Freidrich Ebert Stiftung.
145
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. 148
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
82 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 83

Figure 33. How engaged would you say you are personally with politics in general? By gender. However, a closer look at both quantitative and disappointed. Many of them say it’s better
qualitative data reveals a sense of frustration around to leave and create a life elsewhere than
youth voices not being heard and a variety of day-to-
90% to stay in Albania and engage in politics
day actions that young people undertake relating to
80%
politics. As shown in Figure 34, a significant proportion where their voices are not heard,
72%
of young people do not believe their voices on national unfortunately” (25-29, M, University student,
68%
issues are being heard in the country (33%), and half young person with a disability, Tirana).
of them feel heard but that no or little action is taken
as a result (‘no action’ 28% and ‘very little action’ 22%). Importantly, the sentiment of youth voices being
45%
Only 5% of young people feel they are heard and that unheard in the country is particularly pronounced
there is some action as a result. Rural youth and the among minority ethnic groups. Indeed, we see that
23% 17% younger group are more likely to feel unheard (Not Roma youth feel the most unheard by the political
11% 12% heard at all: 38% of Rural versus 30% of Urban; 36% of system with 51% feeling not heard at all,149 versus 33%
7%
18-24 versus 29% of 25-29). among the general youth population. In addition, 87%
0% of Egyptian youth (base total n=45) reported feeling
Male Female “Seeing how politics has been self- very unengaged with politics as opposed to 54% of
managed during this 32-year period, Albanian respondents.
Unengaged Neither engaged nor unengaged Engaged I believe young people are very

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

Figure 34. Do you think the voices of young people on national issues are being heard in your country?

40%
33%
28%
30%

22%
20%

12%
10%
4%
1%
0%
Not being Listened but Heard but very Heard but Heard well with Heard and
heard at all no action little action little action some action significant action

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

149
Base number is 42.
84 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 85

The frustration around youth voices not being We also see high engagement in political activities from Figure 35. Do you think the voices of young people on national issues are being heard in your country?
heard may be linked with relatively limited youth young people with a disability, as over half (53%) voted
representation within political parties or the in the last election and only 22% had not engaged any
government. In the 2017 parliamentary elections, of the activities. This suggests a significant effort of
for example, only 5% of young people reached young people with disabilities to get their voices heard
parliamentary positions, despite 32% of the youth being and engage in the political sphere, despite concerns
nominated initially.150 Similarly, youth representation in these may not be heard, explored further below. Case study
mayoral positions stood at a mere 6% between 2015

Young activist
Beyond these more formal political activities listed
and 2018.151 At the national level, in 2018 there were no
above, it is clear from the qualitative data that young
young ministers in the government, with only 2.9% of
people engage in lively conversations, discussions, and
deputy ministers being youths.152
exchange opinions on current affairs, political news with
their friends and family members.
5.1.3 Despite the low reported engagement Location Barriers
with politics, many young people participate Sharing views and opinions related to politics extends
beyond the immediate circles of friends and family too. Durrës, Albania • Believes that young people lack information
in a variety of political activities and civic on politicians, and therefore they cannot
Qualitatively, a few participants mention sharing views
activism when prompted and expressing their disagreement with the current Profile trust them.
If there’s strong scepticism from young Albanians government freely on social media. Other young people • Nepotism is a key barrier, that he feels
• Aged 18-24
regarding politics in general and political engagement, express hesitation at engaging in public discussions makes young people feel “hopeless’
online on politics as they feel it can lead to arguments • Law Graduate
this does not mean that they are disengaged from what • Education in political matters is seen as a
is happening in their country and communities, and they and disagreements. • Involved in student activism,
key factor to increase political engagement
do engage in more informal forms of interaction, such civic activism and political affairs
“We Albanians are all politicians at family • Lack of opportunities for young people to
as voting, sharing political opinions with friends and
family or discussing issues at an informal forum. gatherings or in coffee shops …most of Story gain meaningful experience to engage
effectively in politics.
In fact, when probed about specific activities, over
the time we talk about current news like • He has always participated in community
• He was a leader in a Local Youth Council,
half of young people (51%) reported participating in scandals or government decisions. It’s events and made efforts to engage at his
but felt the role was wasted as he did not
something that sparks a discussion.” (M, school, becoming the student president.
at least one political activity in the last 12 months. have enough experience to lead.
The most common activity undertaken is voting in 25-29, NEET youth, Tirana). • His grades at school fluctuated, but he
local/national elections (23%), followed by other forms managed to get into Tirana University for Law. Intention to emigrate
of civic engagement such as attending a discussion “It may sound strange, but it’s true – when • A key turning point in his life was the 2019
“I don’t want to emigrate, but the Government
on local/national issues (7%), taking part in a protest Student Protest: “when I saw the student’s
we talk about politics, we are always has to improve the education system to stop
(6%), expressing opinions on the internet and/or participation, the revolution in them
social networks (4%), attending a political rally (4%),
happy, as if we are releasing a certain other young people leaving”
impacted me’’. He joined the protest and a
participating in a meeting of the municipality council feeling we have from the soul.” (M, 18-24, civic organization aiming to protect
(3%), and contacting a local councillor (2%). There is Recent graduate, Kukës). student’s rights.
no significant variation across gender, urbanity, region, • Protested against the demolition of the Key concerns
educational attainment, or employment situation Below is a case study of Fisnik,153 a young man who has
National Theatre of Albania, and the death Employment opportunities
in political activities undertaken. However, older been engaged in civil society and politics throughout
of Klodian Rasha, a young man killed by
respondents and those who consider themselves to his life, recently standing for election as an independent
Albanian police.
have a disability are more likely to have voted in the last at his local Municipal Council. From his perspective,there Wage levels
is a lack of information and opportunity for young people • Decided to get involved in politics as a
12 months, and the least likely to have not participated
to gain meaningful experience to engage more formally leader of a local youth council and an
in any of the above activities. Over half of respondents
in Albania’s politics. independent candidate at his local Discrimination
aged 18-24 have not undertaken any of the political
Municipal Council, but he did not win.
activities outlined, compared to 42% of 25–29-year-
olds. Additionally, only 19% of the younger age group
Trust in politics and institutions Cost of living
voted, as opposed to 30% of older respondents.
“The political situation in our country is miserable.
We don’t have democracy and that’s why young Climate change
people don’t bother involving in politcs””

Distrust Political engagment

150
Partners Albania for Development and Change. (2018). Youth political participation in Albania.
https://www.partnersalbania.org/publication/youth-political-participation-2018/
Education opportunities
151
Youth Bank Hub for Western Balkan and Turkey. (2018). Monitoring report on political, social and economic participation of youth in Albania.
http://partnersalbania.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/YBH_Jan_June_2018_ENG.pdf
152
Partners Albania for Development and Change. (2018). Youth political participation in Albania.
http://partnersalbania.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Youth_Political_Participation_Albania_2018.pdf
153
Pseudonym. Content in the case study has been extracted from qualitative interview.
86 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 87

5.1.4 Significant willingness to participate “When I see my city, I refer to Shkoder, Table 8. How important are the following issues in deciding how you will vote.
in elections which is degrading day by day, it
As mentioned previously, voting in local and national motivates me even more to vote because I
want to see changes in it” (25-29, F, Important
elections is the most common political activity young How important are the following issues Not important (Not Neither important
(Important +
people participated in. Importantly, most of the young employed, Shkoder) in deciding how you will vote at all + not very) nor unimportant
very important)
people who did not vote in the 12 months (57%) prior
to the survey indicate they do intend to vote in the “I wanted to vote for change, I have been Improving healthcare 2% 5% 93%
next local/general elections. On this point, there are hoping to find a job in my profile. I said to
no significant differences by age, gender, urbanity,
myself ‘My vote is important, and it should Improving employment 2% 5% 93%
ethnicity, or region.
be given to someone who will try to do
The main reason for voting among young Albanians good’” (18-24, F, unemployed, Tirana) Improving the economy 2% 5% 93%
centres around the national duty and civic
responsibility (43%). We can observe slight variations The top three issues driving how young people will Reducing poverty 2% 6% 91%
in this intention when analysed by ethnicity, where vote are improving healthcare, employment, and the
there appears to be a stronger influence of personal economy (93% for each factor). When considering all Ending corruption 3% 6% 91%
relationships in voting intention. Within Egyptian main factors (top 7 - those scoring 89% and up – see
youth, 20% intend to vote because ‘all my friends are Table 8), there is no significant variation in age, urbanity, Improving education 2% 7% 91%
going to vote so I also want to’ (compared to only 2% ethnicity, or age. However, rural youth are more likely to
Albanian and 4% Roma youngsters), and 17% of Roma consider tackling climate change, promoting arts and Improving the justice/police system 2% 9% 89%
youth indicated they intend to vote as ‘someone in culture, and improving international alliances, important
my community expects me to vote’ (compared to 4% in influencing their vote (Tackling climate change: Providing reliable access to water,
3% 11% 86%
Albanian and 0% Egyptian respondents). 76% of rural versus 62% of urban; Promoting arts electricity, and gas
and culture: 76% of rural versus 67% of urban youth;
Other motivations across the whole sample relate to
Improving International alliances: 78% of rural versus Improving emergency response in case
influencing change and decision-making, with 18% 3% 11% 85%
70% of urban). of disasters
of young people believing that their vote will impact
changes in Albania and 14% that voting offers a chance
Improving the security and conflict
to influence Albanian decision-makers. 4% 11% 85%
situation in Albania

Promoting tolerance 5% 17% 77%

Improving international alliances 8% 19% 73%

Promoting arts and culture 9% 21% 70%

Tackling climate change 12% 21% 68%

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

88 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 89

The relatively high voting intention may be linked to young Albanians, with 16% responding that they want “We are not sufficiently involved in For example, as seen in Box 3, despite feeling “very
a growing recognition of the need for the youth to be their politicians to ‘understand the problems facing politics. Even if we were more involved, good” and “positive” whilst using his voice politically
more engaged politically. In a 2019 youth study, almost people who have as much money as I do’ and 14% and having advocated for change, across these
I don’t think it would be taken seriously.
seven in 10 young people aged 18-30 (69%) believed wanting a politician who has a ‘strong programme of experiences, ‘Ardian’, a young man with physical
that youth should be involved in politics and six in policies to solve the issues most important to me’. In our case, there are some people with disabilities, faced continued difficulties and barriers to
10 that youth should become part of political parties Echoing a similar sentiment, when asked what would disabilities who hold higher positions in engagement due to a lack of necessary infrastructure
(60%). However, this general sentiment is not supported encourage political engagement, 20% of respondents politics that could have some influence and accessibility for people with physical disabilities.
by personal willingness to engage in politics – 47% of chose ‘if politics reflected more of my personal views on our behalf, but I don’t think it’s Whilst voting, Ardian shared that “It was very
youth distanced themselves from any possibility of and opinions’, and 12% responded ‘if I could vote on considered seriously. For example, when embarrassing, because in my neighbourhood it was the
future involvement in politics.154 more decisions that affect me’. Of course, the key value first time that a person with limited abilities participated
something new is built in Tirana, the
of candidates is that they must ‘be honest and free and there were eyes and ears and there was that panic,
While there are multiple reasons for this, including the
from corruption’ (31%). These sentiments carry across necessary infrastructure we need is not let’s say”. Outside of these activities, ‘Ardian’ also
negative associations around politics explored earlier, considered. There’s always this aspect of
age, gender, urbanity, region and ethnicity, with no engages with “Organizations that fight for the rights of
failure of the education system to prepare young
significant variation. bypassing people with disabilities.” (25- people with disabilities, that fight to employ people with
people for political engagement can be one of the
factors. Our survey findings indicate that over two thirds For many young Albanians, there do not appear to be 29, F, young person with a physical disability, disabilities. I try to go there often.”
(69%) of young people irrespective of age, gender and many political figures to easily identify with beyond the employed, Tirana).
location, think that education has not prepared them local level. Not knowing who to vote for is one of the
well for engagement in politics. key reasons for not having previously done so for 35%
of young people. This can be linked with the fact that
5.1.5 Young people relate to individual there are few credible youth role models in politics,
political figures, not political parties with “no one with a vision or a trustworthy person whom
we can believe can improve Albania” (M, 18-24, Recent
The key finding from our research is that young graduate, Kukës), something pointed out in previous Box 3. Political and civic engagement journey mapping cards, ‘Ardian’, young person with a physical disability,
people tend to relate to individual political figures, studies. For example, the youth survey conducted by M, 25-29, unemployed, Tirana.
rather than political parties. Political and civic journey the Westminster Foundation for Democracy found that
mapping reveals a tendency of young people to vote more than 60% of young people could not identify
for candidates, as opposed to parties, citing distrust in successful youth role models in politics. There was also
the party system. Indeed, there was a belief that even Take part in a protest/demonstration Vote in a local/national election
a widespread perception of young politicians in the
for those who have joined parties, young people do so parliament or government institutions as lacking weight
out of necessity for employment, and in return “they and imitating their party leaders.155 • I protested for the rights of people • I voted to make a change
[young people] do what they are told to do” (18-24, F,
with disabilities • I got to know the candidate from the
Employed, Fier). 5.1.6 People with disabilities feel • We were an organised group who were election campaign
“Like I said before I voted for the underrepresented in politics, leading to affected by this • It was my decision to vote
candidate not the party, if I were to vote insufficient consideration of their needs • It wasn’t difficult for me to decided whether • My experience with voting was embarrassing
only for the party, I wouldn’t vote at all. and concerns to participate or not, as I feel strongly about because I was the first person with limited
the issue
The candidate was intellectual, and, in my People with disabilities perceive a notable lack of abilities to vote in my neighbourhood
• The experience was a bit uncomfortable as I
opinion, he was the right choice because representation in politics, resulting in inadequate • The voting process was easy
attention being paid to their needs and concerns. faced difficulties accessing the protest due to
he had a lot of experiences in politics”.
Among the youth with disabilities, the need for active a lack of road access Emotions:
(25-29, F, employed, Elbasan) engagement of individuals with disabilities in shaping
Emotions: : I Neutral because it was a bit awkward
policies and legislations that directly impact their lives
“…even if he joined another party, I strongly resonates. One participant highlights that : ) Good because we were all united
would still vote for him”. (18-24, F, although there is some representation of people with
unemployed, Tirana). disabilities in political positions, their influence tends to
be marginalised and their input often overlooked – for
Value appears to be placed in having political figures example when new developments are built without vital
who can relate to and understand the issues affecting infrastructure such as accessibility features.

154
Westminster Foundation for Democracy. (2019). National survey: Young people and politics in Albania.
Author. www.wfd.org/what-we-do/resources/national-survey-young-people-and-politics-albania
155
Westminster Foundation for Democracy. (2019). National survey: Young people and politics in Albania.
Author. https://www.wfd.org/what-we-do/resources/national-survey-young-people-and-politics-albania
 90 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 91

5.1.7 Lack of awareness of youth This underscores the importance of ensuring already 5.2.1 Young Albanians largely engage
opportunities in politics existing platforms for youth engagement are optimised in community life, but the idea of a
to maximise their impact and support meaningful
The study reveals a limited awareness of youth community seems to have faded
participation, where young voices are not merely
forums and the National Youth Congress, with only tokenistic additions to the conversations. throughout the years
slightly over a quarter of young respondents (27%) The research findings reveal a nuanced landscape
indicating they are aware of both institutions (see
Figure 36). Interestingly, both unprompted and
5.2 Youth voice in the community of youth engagement and community belonging in
Albania. Many young people demonstrate a degree of
prompted awareness are virtually equal.156 Among The following section explores how young people affiliation with local communities, with 76% reporting
those who lacked awareness of the National Youth engage in their community, and how this is defined some level of belonging - claiming to feel either
Congress, a majority (64%) have also expressed strong by young Albanians. The use of youth voice, and ‘somewhat,’ ‘very much,’ or ‘a part’ of their local
disengagement from political matters. the extent to which young people feel able to make community. However, around one quarter (24%) express
decisions about things that matter to them is a key less attachment, noting ‘not feeling at all’ or ‘not much
focus of this section. a part’ of their local community (see Figure 37). There
appears to be a significant relationship between
Figure 36. Are you aware of the following institutions? (Prompted and unprompted) perceptions of community belonging and ethnicity/race.
Roma respondents are over twice as likely to report
100% feeling ‘very much a part of a local community’ (57%)
8% 6% Yes than Egyptian respondents (24%) and three times more
90%
No likely than Albanian respondents (17%).
80%
I don’t know
70%
60% 65% 66%
50%
40%
30%
20%
27% 27%
10% Figure 37. Do you feel that you are part of a local community?
0%
A youth group/forum that National Youth Congress
represents the youth in Albania
locally and centrally 40%

32%
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155
30%
25%

20% 19%
An important recommendation arising from this Next “In my opinion, the best way to help young 14%
Generation programme is the need to strengthen the people participate in political decision- 10%
reach and influence of local youth councils throughout 10%
making is through local youth councils. It’s
Albania. A compelling opinion surfaced, proposing
local youth councils as a crucial platform for fostering a very good way for young people to
young people’s involvement in political decision- directly participate in local budgets. 0%
making processes, although, there is a need to ensure However, young people need to be heard in I don’t feel at all I don’t feel much I somewhat feel I feel like a part of a I very much feel
that the voices of young people are genuinely heard these sessions, as I have been in a youth a part of a local a part of a local a part of a local local community like a part of a
during these sessions. A few young people who had community community community local community
council, and our voices were never heard.
previously engaged in a youth council highlighted a
They left us there to chat, and they said
disparity between expectation and reality. Despite their
participation, their inputs were disregarded, leaving they would think about it later and there
them disheartened by the lack of follow-up actions. was no follow up” (18-24, F, Student, Fier). Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

156
Unprompted awareness was measured by asking respondents whether they are aware of ‘a youth group/forum that represents the youth in
Albania locally and centrally’. This was followed by prompt for the ‘National Youth Congress’.
92 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 93

We also see a stronger sense of community among Young people largely define their local community Engagement in community life manifests itself through One key reason young people feel the community
rural respondents (see Figure 38). Almost twice as as their neighbourhoods. As described in Chapter 3, a range of activities. Earlier research suggests that does not work together, despite shared concerns, is
many urban youths do not feel at all a part of a local most participants spend their time at home, work, and civic engagement in Albania seems to be rising slowly. due to a diminishing concept of a united community
community (13% of urban youth versus 7% of rural cafés, interacting with family members, colleagues, While it was once low, with 16% of young Albanians over the years, where “no one is involved because the
youth). Indeed, on the other side of the spectrum, rural and friends. It is these closest networks that have the engaging in volunteering work in 2013, between idea of a community has faded throughout the years”
youth are over twice as likely to feel very much a part strongest influence on youth’s views, however some 2013 and 2015, this figure rose slightly from 16% to (18-24, F, University Student, Tirana). This point of
of their community (29% of rural youths versus 12% of also feel that the local community played a role in 20%.157/158 While these numbers may be low as a share difference of community engagement between
urban youths). And one third (‘very much a part’ 33%) of shaping their perspectives. of the overall population, they nonetheless indicate today’s generation and the previous generation is
young rural men feel more connected to the community an encouraging trend of increasing civic engagement highlighted qualitatively:
in comparison to just a quarter (‘very much a part’ 25%) “I’m committed. It’s bigger than family, in amongst young people.
of young rural women. This links to previous findings the community I include all the Our research suggests that social activities dominate “I think that it’s quite different. My parents
from Chapter 2. Values and influences, which highlights neighbours in my neighbourhood and community participation for today’s youth. The Next have a better perspective and were
that rural youth continue to hold more traditionalistic,
maybe everyone I know to do something Generation survey finds that over half of respondents always involved in their local community.
collective values, which appears to translate into a
sense of community belonging.
better for this community” (25-29, M, (53%) who are involved in some form of community Since they come from a different
Employed in audio and video production participation do so through social activities such as generation, they were raised with a lot of
funerals, weddings, religious, and cultural festivals.
industry, Tirana). love for their country”
Development activities, encompassing tasks like
environmental upkeep and community maintenance (25-29, F, employed, Fier).
follow at 16%. Volunteering activities are reported by
9% of respondents, while an additional 5% contribute “People, day by day, are becoming more
their time in disadvantaged areas. Notably, only 4% of selfish, and they don’t think about what’s
youth are engaged in planning and decision-making best for the community but only what’s
Figure 38. Do you feel that you are part of a local community? By urbanity. Rural (n=466)
within their communities, reflecting the point made best for themselves. I have always tried to
above about the lack of effective young voices in key
get involved and discuss about different
Urban (n=689) local matters.
problems, but I think I’ve come up to that
Qualitative evidence speaks to the reluctance of some point where I don’t care anymore”
young Albanians to engage actively in their local
40% (25-29, M, Employed, Tirana).
35% communities. It can be attributed to several factors that
have led to a fading sense of community involvement. A
5.2.3 Disconnect between young people
29% combination of social dynamics, information access and
30%
27% perceived responsibilities shape their disengagement. and community leaders
25% 24%
Despite some young people acknowledging shared
Despite young people largely sharing a sense of
20% common issues within their community, there appears
belonging to their local communities, there appears
16% to be a lack of communication and collaboration among
13% 12% to be a disconnect between young respondents and
12% neighbours to address these concerns collectively.
community leaders. Findings indicate that family
10% 7% For example, one young person shares:
members have the most substantial influence over
young Albanians (61%), with peers/friends (17%)
“Local community for me is my
0% and teachers/professors (6%) following. In contrast,
neighbourhood. I may have the same community leaders and government agencies hold
I don’t feel at all I don’t feel much I feel like a I somewhat feel I very much feel
problems as my neighbours about our minimal sway, not being considered influential voices
a part of a local a part of a local part of a local a part of a local like a part of a
community community community community local community
neighbourhood, unpaved roads for at all, indicating a disconnect between youth and these
example, but we never talk about it with figures in positions of authority.
each other or address it as a problem”
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155 (25-29, M, Employed, Tirana).

157
Çela, A., Kamberi, G., & Pici, E. (2015). Albanian youth 2015: “Slow change, internet dependency and … EU trust”. Freidrich Ebert Stiftung.
https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/12300.pdf
158
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id-moe/15261.pdf
94 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 95

As observed previously, this divergence is mirrored “Being a leader is to understand your role, Whilst most young people feel they are too young to
in perceptions of trustworthiness. While community but on the other hand you should also be a leader in the community themselves, some young
leaders are often considered central figures in local people shared inspiring stories of acts of leadership in
understand the needs of the people that
decision-making, they emerge as one of the least used their communities, as showcased below in Box 4.
sources of information159 and the least trustworthy, surround you. A person who is in charge
with the highest rate of ‘not at all trustworthy’ of a responsibility like this must have
responses (25%) of those who use them as sources personal integrity, social integrity and Box 4. Young leader in Central Albania: case study
of information. This scepticism likely contributes to family integrity. He should know his
the diminished influence these leaders hold among terrain well, with whom to work and with
young people. Indeed, qualitative insights reflect that
whom he should raise his voice for the
“it comes from being disappointed from time to time. If
community’s rights. He should protect
people addressed their problems and the leader didn’t Case study
do anything about them, of course they won’t trust their rights and bring change in the best

Young leader in
him again” (18-24, F, Student, Gjirokastër), particularly way possible” (25-29, F, Roma Community,
for those in villages. It is felt that community leaders Lawyer, Tirana).
should be advocating for investment in infrastructure,

Central Albania
cleaner environments, better quality education and However, many young people do not feel that their
more job opportunities in the local area, but are current leadership reflected this:

‘’
currently not doing so.
“Currently, there is no leader, manager, or
Young people have a strong perception of the ideal
administrator in the community who truly I was born in Cerrik and I always wanted to go
community leader, but do not believe this is reflected back there. My friends were telling me that they
in their current community leadership. In describing
embodies the characteristics of an ideal
wanted to leave and the fact that I wanted to
the ideal community lead, the overwhelming majority community member” (18-24, M, University
Student, Kukes).
stay seemed somehow stupid. I feel really sad I feel really sad for the
described characteristics such as supportive,
empathetic, understanding, polite, educated, cultured,
for the young people living there because they
are not able to engage in different activities.
young people living
cooperative, courageous, just, and responsible: 2 years ago, I started something small but there because they
important. In Cerrik, there is no church, and
for the first time we organised a beautiful big are not able to engage
Christmas Eve where the mayor was present.
There were 11 different organisations from
in different activities.
Albania and some of them were Catholic and
Orthodox. It was something blessed and
motivational. After this I did something else
with the municipality about young people and
it was a bit disappointing because they didn’t
have motivation. When I went to different
school doors, I wasn’t expecting them to show
up, but 60 people came. I chose to talk about
a topic called “You can” which is an important
topic to me. I wanted to show them that I am
a young girl born in Cerrik just like them. I am
a girl who was present in a lot of televisions
talking about what I believe and leaving a small
impact in Cerrik. Now we helped create a camp
for 60 people. This is a thing I do with a lot of
love and passion. I want to be a motivational
voice to people in Cerrik.

159
Please note this is indicative due to small base number of those who use community leaders as a source of information (n=3). It only points to a
very small number of people turning to community leaders for information.
96 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 97

5.2.4 Most young people believe they can “Perhaps they may not be heard, do not In line with this responsibility, young people in the
use their voice in the community but are take into account their requests, or qualitative discussions shared numerous examples
of where they have brought their voices together to
unsure to the extent that it will be heard pretend to take into account the requests
protest, outlined below in Figure 39.
Qualitative data suggests that most young people or opinions they have on various issues
share the belief that they can use their voice in the that are worrying young people today and
community. However, this conviction is often coupled this is one of the reasons that young
with an uncertainty regarding the extent to which their people are not perhaps represented in
words will be acknowledged and incorporated into decision-making bodies” (18-24, F, Figure 39. Key moments at which youth have joined their voices for change.
decision-making processes. Indeed, only 4% of our
University graduate, Fier).
Next Generation respondents engage in planning and
decision making in their community. Ethnic minorities Despite these reservations, many young people see
and those with lower educational attainment are the it as their responsibility to speak up and emphasise
least likely to be involved with this, as none of the Roma Toll-road
the importance of genuine self-expression in
or Egyptian respondents indicating doing so, and only protest
community matters.
1% of those with lower secondary education or below, 2018
compared to 7% of young people with a masters. For “I see it as a responsibility, I must express National Theatre
example, one 26-year-old participant encapsulated this it even though I know it won’t be protest
viewpoint, stating, 2018-2020
considered. I know that feeling prevents
“I can contribute as long as I have ideas young people from expressing all their
and opinions...It begs the question of how problems, they know that no one will hear
many of these opinions are taken into from the voices” (25-29, F, part-time
employment, Lezhe) Student protest “Great Ring”
account by those in power” (25-29, F, Youth
2018-2019 project protest
employee, Kukes). 2022
Several participants echo this sentiment, indicating Klodian Rasha
a scepticism about the responsiveness of those in protest
positions of authority to their opinions. 2021

When reflecting on their participation in these This sentiment underlines the significance of
events in qualitative discussions, many young people engagement beyond mere success or failure in
view their role within a larger purpose, highlighting some cases, emphasising the intrinsic value of
the collective nature of community activism. Despite standing up for principles deemed essential for
in some cases the ultimate outcome not aligning with the community’s betterment.
their initial intentions, much of the experiences are
characterised as positive due to their active pursuit 5.2.5. The most common community
of a perceived just cause: support young Albanians are aware of
“I had a role like everyone else for a are related to employment, education,
specific purpose, but it didn’t work out. and entrepreneurship
Nevertheless, the experience was positive The awareness of community support among young
because I fought for something I thought Albanians spans various domains, primarily focusing on
employment, education, and entrepreneurship.
was fair. One should do the impossible
regardless of the outcome. We live in a Among the available community support options, the
country where justice, unfortunately, is most frequently cited are bursaries and grants for
education, with 21%. Additionally, support for initiating
not given” (18-24, M, employed youth from a
a business venture (15%) and assistance in job search
low-income family, Tirana). efforts (15%) emerge as prevalent community resources
and nearly 1 in 5 respondents (19%) expressed a lack
of awareness concerning available community support
programmes, marked by ‘don’t know’ responses.
98 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 99

Whilst the urban/rural breakdown of those who ‘don’t of ‘cultural facilities’ (71% male vs. 29% female),
know’ is evenly split, Northern youth appear to have ‘sporting facilities’ (64% male vs. 36% female), and
the least awareness of community support available ‘support for substance abuse’ (86% male vs. 14%
(see Figure 40). As the Northern region has been female). This gender-based distinction underlines
identified as a hotspot for high net migration, various potential disparities in the visibility and accessibility of
development programmes and efforts have been community support initiatives across various sectors.
made to introduce community support to help give
young Northern Albanians the opportunity to stay in Conclusion
their hometown. Indeed, in 2019, the British Embassy
in Tirana and UNDP introduced a programme of If political engagement of young Albanians
employment and social services in Northern Albania remains limited, there is clear evidence of their
in Shkodër, Dibër and Kukës to address this.160 This acknowledgement of the need for change and reforms,
suggests that rather than a lack of community support and of an appetite for sharing their views and opinions.
offered, there needs to be concerted efforts to raise But of course, trust in institutions and those who lead
awareness of that support. them are key to motivating them to get involved. In the
next chapter, we explore their global outlook, focusing
Moreover, there is a significant relationship between on how they relate to the UK and the EU and how they
gender and the awareness of available community perceive climate change as an issue relating to their
support. Among males, we observe a higher awareness day-to-day priorities.

Figure 40. Respondents who ‘don’t know’ what community support is available by region.

21%
22%

15% 15%
17%

11%

6%

0%
Northern (n=302) Central (n=535) Southern (n=318)

160
UNDP. (2019). Employment and social services in Northern Albania.
www.undp.org/albania/projects/employment-and-social-services-northern-albania.
100 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 101

Chapter 6
Global outlook
Looking at young Albanians’ global outlook is key to • Fostering avenues to retain young talent
understanding how they see the future of Albania, the within Albania.
global community and the common challenges facing • Facilitating skills development in collaboration
all of us. The global relationships with the UK and EU with the British Council and the Albanian
bring with it tempered optimism, with young Albanians Education Ministry.
being committed to sharing a picture of Albania that
• Continuing to provide opportunities for Albanian
reflects their lived realities, not stereotypes. When
students to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK
it comes to climate change, today’s youngsters are
through the British Chevening scholarships and
concerned of the global impact, but the challenges
Cyber Security Fellowships for Albania (and the
of the day – unemployment, cost-of-living, and the
wider Western Balkans).
economy – overshadow those worries. Given Albania’s
structural vulnerability to climate shocks, raising • 21st Century Schools is an ambitious education
awareness and unifying concern is an imperative next programme implemented by the British Council and
step across Albania’s next generation. funded by the UK Government aiming at developing
critical thinking, problem solving and coding skills.

6.1 Global relationships Despite the negative focus on migration that has
dominated recent public discourse, causing a slight
6.1.1 Mixed relationship between Albania strain on UK-Albania relations in the previous year,
and the United Kingdom recent talks in 2023 between President Edi Rama and
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have “set up a clear path
Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
towards tackling together whatever has to be excluded
acknowledges the UK as one of the earliest nations to
from our relations and from our world of law and justice
contribute to and mould the shaping of the rule of law,
but at the same time making sure that some rotten
upholding human rights, and establishing transparent
apples do not define the Albanian community here and
market economy regulations in Albania post-1990s.161
our relations”.163
The UK has also been a strong supporter of Albania’s
aspiration for Euro-Atlantic integration into NATO Our Next Generation project seeks to provide more
and the EU. context and a deeper understanding of how young
Albanians view their country’s relationship with the
Recent developments in the relations between
UK. While many Albanians aspire to emigrate to the UK
Albania and the United Kingdom since 2020 have
for what they perceive to be a better life, there is also
largely centred on migration, economic cooperation,
a recognition that negative stereotypes impact how
and security. In 2022, the UK and Albania signed the
Albanians are perceived as immigrants in the UK. Over
UK-Albania Joint Communique: Enhancing bilateral
half of respondents (56%) are either unsure (33%) of
cooperation in areas of common interest. This
whether the relationship between Albania and UK is
Communique seeks to enhance cooperation in three
positive or see it to be ‘neither positive nor negative’
key areas: 1) security and home affairs (including
(23%) (see Figure 41 below). Youth from the Roma
organised crime and illegal immigration); 2) economic
community (70%), Egyptian community (87%), and
growth and investment; 3) innovation, youth, and
young females (36%) are the most likely to report
education.162 In terms of actions in the third, youth,
not knowing how to define the relationship.
culture, and education are key, with specific focus on:

161
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Relations between Albania and the UK: Country Brief.
162
Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street. (2022). UK-Albania Joint Communique Enhancing bilateral Cooperation in areas of common interest.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-albania-joint-communique-enhancing-bilateral-cooperation-in-areas-of-common-interest/
uk-albania-joint-communique-enhancing-bilateral-cooperation-in-areas-of-common-interest.
163
Government of Albania. (2023). Interview of Prime Minister Edi Rama for BBC Radio 4 Today Program.
www.kryeministria.al/en/newsroom/interviste-e-kryeministrit-edi-rama-ne-studion-e-programit-today-te-bbc-radio-4/.
102 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 103

However, overall, respondents reflect slightly more On the other hand, respondents who view the UK- “(…) A statement from the British Minister to EU is a beacon of hope as “it would be a significant
positively (26%) than negatively (18%) on the UK-Albania Albania relationship negatively do so because of the about Albanians being criminals, which achievement for us. It would provide better development
relationship. Youths aged 18-24 and from Southern ‘measures taken against illegal migration’, ‘discrimination opportunities. Things have started to move, to change,
created negative publicity for our country
regions are the most positive when reflecting on the of Albanians’, and because the ‘UK has not supported with hope” (25-29, M, employed, Kavaje).
relationship (‘very positive’ 14% of 18–24-year-olds Albanians’. Discussions with activists noted that (…) Our Prime Minister said a very nice
phrase there, that we shouldn’t put all While the support for the EU remains unwaveringly
versus 9% of 25–29-year-olds; 17% of those from the UK’s donations to Albania are often directed
strong, it is essential to discern between broad
Southern regions, versus 9% of Central versus 12% towards immigration-related issues and combatting Albanians in the same bag because we’re
support and complete trust. The Friedrich Ebert
of Northern regions). Many young people who view organised crime. There is a sense of unease about not all characters from the movie Taken” Stiftung highlights a nuanced dichotomy in this
Albania’s relationship with the UK favourably link this the UK’s approach, with some participants expressing (25-29, F, employed, Korçë). relationship. While the EU remains a sought-after
to having family living there. The UK is also seen as an disagreement with the way the UK addresses
destination, embodying hopes of prosperity and
attractive destination due to its economic situation, immigration and organised crime, and the way it In line with this, some young people feel strongly about
stability, only half of the young Albanians surveyed
education opportunities, and geopolitical significance. stigmatises Albanians. diversifying the perceptions of Albanians in the UK,
claimed to have “complete” trust in the EU. This
It is mentioned as the country favoured for emigration noting that many Albanians are working in reputable
ambivalence suggests a complex interplay of factors
by 8% of respondents when asked where they would jobs and contributing to the economy, and not that
shaping the youth’s perspectives, warranting deeper
choose to emigrate if they did. they “just go and work with drugs” (Young person with a
exploration and understanding.167
disability, 25-29, F, employed, Tirana).
Our study explores these perceptions in qualitative
6.1.2. Mixed views on the relationship workshops. Concerns centre around the potential loss
between Albania and the European Union of cultural identity, alignment with EU policies and the
country’s readiness to meet the necessary criteria.
Whilst the perception of the relationship between It is also suggested that joining the EU may result in
the EU and Albania has historically been and still is further mass migration from Albania as free movement
largely positive, some perceive it as complicated, with would be so easy, which would essentially collapse
challenges relating to Albania’s efforts and the EU’s the state, as it is not yet secure enough to encourage
dealing with Albania’s application for membership. people to stay. “If we are members of the EU then mass
Earlier studies have found overwhelmingly positive immigration of Albanians would be three-folded, 5-folded
Figure 41. From your perspective, do you think the relationship between Albania and the UK is positive?
perspectives of young Albanians towards the European because we would be completely free to go whenever we
Union (EU). A pronounced 87% of them support EU want” (18-24, F, high school student, Fier).
integration, a figure higher than their counterparts in Further than this, some young people reflect that even
35%
33% Kosovo and Bosnia.164 To place this in a comparative with EU laws and protection, some young Albanians
perspective, support for the EU in neighbouring Kosovo would continue to work illegally, and the introduction of
30% stood at 82%, while Bosnia, often considered a pivotal a legal framework may make them worse off. “Albanians
state in the Western Balkan region, displayed a relatively would still operate in the “black market” avoiding taxes.
25% modest figure of 55%.165
23% We would have broken the laws and will bring us more
This robust affinity is not merely a superficial one; problems than benefits” (25-29, F, employed, Tirana).
20%
it is embedded within the hopes and aspirations
15%
14% of the Albanian youth. As elucidated by Çela et al., Conclusion
12% the majority of young individuals, albeit holding
10% To conclude this section, young Albanians show deep
fervent pro-European sentiments, were realistic
10% 8% realism when evaluating Albania’s global relationships
in their assessments, not expecting Albania to
with the UK and the EU, suggesting a pragmatism to their
secure membership within the EU in the subsequent
5% approach. Despite clear will of young people to join the
decade.166 This realism, however, did not temper their
EU, there remain practical concerns. Recent diplomatic
optimism. Young Albanians were found to associate
0% relations with the UK and discourse on migration has
EU membership with a plethora of benefits, notably
Not at Somewhat Neither Somewhat Very Don’t know increased hesitance on UK-Albania relations, with young
economic opportunities, and the freedom of movement.
all positive negative positive nor positive positive people ever focused on ensuring accurate portrayals of
The Government of Albania too, from the perspective
negative Albanians they know are shared globally.
of its youth, was viewed as being earnestly committed
to the process of EU integration. This is echoed in
Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155 our qualitative data, where it is noted that accession

164
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10056.pdf
165
Flere, S., Hurrelmann, K., Klanjšek, R., Lavrič, M., Reimbold, H., Taleski, D. (2015). Lost in democratic transition? Political challenges and
perspectives for young people in south east Europe. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/sarajevo/11505.pdf
166
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J. (2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes and future insecurities!”.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10056.pdf
167
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id-moe/15261.pdf
104 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 105

‘’
6.2 Climate change are projected to substantially impact critical sectors, Additionally, when ranked and compared to other
the national economy, and the population at large. pressing issues, such as employment and poverty,
In this subsection, we delve into the perceptions of Among the various natural disasters, floods loom as a climate change does not rank in the top 10 concerns
climate change held by young Albanians. It is essential particularly perilous threat for Albania, given that the amongst young people. As explored above in Chapter Among the various
to contextualise this discussion within the backdrop
of Albania’s vulnerability to climate change, a fact
country’s river and stream systems are vulnerable to
floods, often triggered by relatively minor rain events.
5, 68% of respondents deem ‘tackling climate change’
important when deciding to vote in 14th position,
natural disasters,
underscored by a range of factors such as political,
geographic, and socio-economic conditions. As per An assessment of the 2019 earthquake indicated that
while employment and the economy top the list floods loom as a
of issues impacting how young people vote with
the 2020 ND-GAIN Index, Albania’s vulnerability is on average, damages resulting from earthquakes and
floods are estimated at around US$147 million annually,
93% of respondents reporting that they influence particularly perilous
threat for Albania,
notably pronounced, ranking 75 out of 181 countries. their votes. This is showcasing the way day-to-day
This ranking inversely correlates vulnerability with with a catastrophic event, such as a 1-in-100-year
challenges overshadow young Albanians’ priorities
resilience, meaning that the lower the score, the higher
the vulnerability and the more pressing the need for
earthquake, potentially incurring over US$2 billion in
damages.170 This intricate web of vulnerabilities and
over climate change. given that the
enhancing resilience.168 potential consequences underscores the imperative
nature of understanding how young Albanians perceive
Despite this, many young people report that they feel
they are currently experiencing the effects of climate
country’s river and
6.2.1 Day-to-day economic and and respond to climate change. change. The record hot temperatures in the summer stream systems are
employment challenges overshadow In our survey, there is relative hesitancy around the
of 2023, the lack of rainfall and impact of biodiversity
are keenly noted. “A concrete example is the increase vulnerable to floods
climate change concerns impact of climate change, with 1 in 4 respondents
in temperatures, there has rarely been 40 degrees in
(40%) reporting concerns, but just under a quarter 24%
Albania faces elevated susceptibility to climate change Kukës before…The rivers are drying up and without water
claiming they are not concerned (see Figure 43). Higher
repercussions, further exacerbated by its infrastructure there is no life…It is a very big problem, and we must do
levels of concern are seen across young women (45%
requirements and areas of poverty in rural regions.169 something” (18-24, M, High School Graduate, Kukës).
of young women are concerned by climate change, as
Climate change in Albania is likely to manifest primarily opposed to 35% of young men) and those aged 25-29 The effects of climate change on agricultural
through the increased frequency of extreme weather (47% of 25–29-year-olds are concerned, compared to production, the river ecosystems and human health are
events and temperature fluctuations. These changes 36% of 18–24-year-olds) highlighted across discussions. Some young people are
particularly concerned about the connection between
climate and health, particularly for older generations
during the dramatic climate shift in the 2023 summer
period. “If the environment is damaged, we are also
damaged” (25-29, F, employed, Korçë). Other young
people shared that “especially this year, in the village,
Figure 43: To what extent are you concerned with the environmental impact that climate change has in your country?
there is very little agricultural production this year” (18-
24, F, youth activist, Tirana) and that “in Lana River or
other rivers, no fish live there now due to high pollution
of its waters” (25-29, M, Young person with a disability,
student, Tirana).

24%
36%
40% Neither
Not at all
concerned/
Somewhat/very concerned nor
concerned somewhat
unconcerned
unconcerned.

Total sample; Unweighted; base n = 1155

168
World Bank. (2021). Climate risk country profile.
169
Republic of Albania (2016). Third National Communication of the Republic of Albania under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change. URL: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Albania%20NC3_13%20October%202016.pdf.
170
GFDRR (2020). Disaster Risk Finance Diagnostic – Albania. December 2020.
106 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 107

6.2.2. Young people believe climate action However, young people largely agree that actionable
should be led by local governments and and impactful change to tackle climate change can only
come from global policies, governments, and the “elites”
global alliances, but every personal
(25-29, M, Employed, Berat). The interconnectedness
contribution helps of climate change is clear to young Albanians, and
The Government of Albania has taken several initiatives qualitative discussions highlight the “domino effect”
to address climate change in the mid to long-term, (18-24, F, High School Graduate, Vlore) and interrelation
such as the introduction of the Inter-Ministerial Working with neighbouring countries, as well as the need for
Group on Climate Change (2014), the National Climate concrete global and local policies. “If each country has
Change Strategy in 2019, the Action Plan of the National clear environmental policies, then even small steps can
Strategy on Climate Change (NSCC) 2020-2030, the make a difference” (18-24, F, High School Graduate, Fier).
Climate Change Law (2020), and the implementation of Qualitative discussions highlight that much of this power
various adaptation programs.171 is concentrated in the hands of a small group of actors,
and no matter how much personal contributions young
Qualitative data in our study shows that young
people make, “regardless of how much we recycle or
Albanians welcome government action on climate
how much we tell our friends not to litter” (18-24, F, High
change, with some young people believing
School Graduate, Vlore), global action is imperative.
technological advancements and shifts towards
cleaner technologies would mitigate pollution, including Despite increased structural vulnerability to climate
addressing pollution and improving transportation change and relative concern of climate change
systems. Indeed, on a personal and local level, just over amongst young people, the awareness of the impact
a quarter (16%) of our Next Generation respondents of climate change and the actions the Government
engage in developmental activities, including of Albania is taking needs to be increased. Whilst a
environment cleanliness and upkeep in the community. minority of young people do engage in personal and
In our political and civic journey mapping we see clear local activities to tackle recycling, litter and pollution,
examples of responsible, climate conscious youth who real power for change is seen in to in the hands of
are happy to make their contributions to a cleaner global actors and governments.
world. “Everyone has roles, like keeping our living
environment clean, which is crucial. No matter how small
our actions might be, they have a significant impact both
on the planet and in other aspects” (25-29, M, NEET
Youth, Tirana).

171
United Nations Framework on Climate Change. (2022). The Fourth Communication of Albania on Climate Change.
108 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 109

Conclusion
and Action plan
Employment
All the recommendations provided below stem • Encourage more educational institutions to Unemployment, low wages, and poverty are key • Enhance support for access-to-finance initiatives
from insights gathered from the research findings incorporate foundational soft skills training, concerns for young Albanians. In addition, there geared towards fostering entrepreneurship.
and the Next Generation Task Force, as well as the independent learning, and practical applications into are significant concerns about nepotism, lack of Development schemes should meticulously devise
perspectives of young Albanians who engaged in the their curriculum. This should include communication, transparency, and influence of informal connections strategies to aid young people in securing the
research. Considering this, the following action plan interpersonal, critical thinking, and networking skills when looking and applying for jobs. The mismatch necessary funds. This entails thorough examination
summarises recommendations in two phases and for the professional advancement of teachers and between educational output and labour market demand of various financial models and the creation of
outlines key actors. The initial set of recommendations students, especially in Northern regions where means that even well-educated youth struggle to find products tailored to the specific requirements of
is geared towards optimising the inclusiveness, educational opportunities are fewer. Introducing employment. However, there is a significant interest participating youth.
diversity, and effectiveness of the contexts that are extracurricular activities at schools, such as debating among young people to start their own businesses, • Family support in initiating and running a business
already integral to the daily lives of young Albanians. and entrepreneurs’ club, may contribute towards this. especially among men and in the Southern region. profoundly impacts entrepreneurial progress,
Many of these contexts already provide a platform for Secondary education should incorporate instruction There are therefore several areas where changes can particularly for rural youth. Establishing methods to
them to express their voice. This approach focuses on business start-up skills, equipping young be made to positively support young people: engage and garner backing from families and
on crafting initiatives and policies that align with the individuals with the necessary tools for embarking on communities holds pivotal importance.
• Strengthen anti-nepotism policies in hiring
present experiences and lifestyles of young Albanians, entrepreneurial careers.
practices in public and private sectors. Promote the • Implement measures to offer affordable and
rather than expecting them to adapt to new norms. • Develop links and partnerships between educational benefits of hiring based on merit rather than accessible transportation, or subsidised transport,
The latter set of recommendations is tailored to institutions (at both vocational and higher education personal connections to the employers (e.g., especially for those in regions with limited
tackle the specific barriers to political engagement levels) and employers to provide internships, increased productivity, diversity of thought, employment prospects. The provision of transport
and leadership highlighted in Chapter 4 of the report, apprenticeships and work placements, especially in positive team dynamic). services is crucial to the integration of people with
utilising solutions workshopped by young Albanians high growing industries (e.g., tourism, ICT). disabilities in the labour market.
• Improve access to employment search support
themselves. The aim is to ensure that all young people • Map discrepancies amongst various areas in terms of throughout the country, this could be through the
receive the necessary support to actively participate access to education, educational attainment and development of centralised job search websites or
in democratic decision-making and contribute to the other key indicators, and prioritise investment and through information dissemination at youth centres.
governance of their nation. support in those areas.
• Create specific job opportunities to mainstream
• Enhance the expertise and accessibility of career low-income earners and marginalised youth, such as
Education counselling services, catering to young Albanians’ those from Roma and Egyptian communities and
growth and employment requirements. Educators those with disabilities to acquire skills aligned with
Young Albanians express significant scepticism over
should also broaden their understanding of the present and future private sector demands.
the quality of education and its ability to prepare
labour market to effectively guide students along
them for employment and future life. Young people • Expand opportunities for young people to support
their career paths, considering practical routes
feel an emphasis on theoretical knowledge within their entrepreneurial ambitions through essential
outside of higher education. Provide essential job
curriculum and less on practical foundational skills training, networking, mentoring through peers on
seeking skills, such as preparing a CV, writing a cover
that can help them in real life, such as communication, developing business plans and information about
letter and job interview preparation.
critical thinking and ICT skills. Whilst a lot of value is financial support.
still placed on university education, very few students • Utilise student-led initiatives and feedback aimed at
have access to workplace learning via internships improving or reshaping higher education, such as
and work placements. Career counselling is also through the creation of student co-operatives or
relatively limited, especially in Northern regions. increasing youth representation in school
With these challenges in mind, we propose the governing bodies.
following recommendations: • Incorporate education on racial, religious, sexual, and
cultural diversity within schools to foster heightened
awareness, sensitivity, and inclusivity within society.
110 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 111

Political engagement Youth voice in the community

Young Albanians are politically frustrated about their • Promote meritocracy in politics, ensuring There is significant degree of affiliation with local by young people with disabilities. Meanwhile, Roma
voices not being heard and the inability of the political appointments and opportunities are based on skills communities among young Albanians, especially those youth face a unique set of challenges, including
system to represent their voices. Despite this, young and competence rather than political affiliations, living in rural locations and amongst minority groups persistently high unemployment rate, stigmatisation
people participate in a variety of political activities informal connections, and corrupt practices. (Roma and Egyptian youth). However, engagement and early marriage. Contributing to the issue is the
and engage in lively conversations, discussions, and This can help counteract the negative associations in community planning and local decision making is relatively limited awareness of their struggles by the
exchange opinions on current affairs both online around politics voiced by young people and limited, with a lot of young people reluctant to engage majority and the lack of meaningful representation.
and offline. There is also a significant willingness to encourage more young people to enter politics. actively in their local communities. This is partly because The following suggestions can improve the situation
participate in future elections and recognition of the • Integrate comprehensive civic and political community leaders emerge as one of the least used for these young groups:
need for the youth to be more engaged politically. education into the curriculum at secondary and sources of information and the least trustworthy, despite
Enable representation of marginalised groups in
Providing more opportunities for genuine participation higher education levels. This should include key being considered central figures in local decision-
institutions (through quotas if necessary to start with), to
and two-way communication between youth and the principles of democracy, government and how laws making. Considering these findings, the following
include them in local policies and implementation. This
local/national government can help counteract the are made and upheld. Teaching should equip pupils suggestions are proposed to improve youth voice in
would include young people with disabilities, diverse
feelings of frustration. The following suggestions can with the skills and knowledge to explore political and local communities:
sexual orientations, and ethnic minorities. Ensure that
help improve political engagement among youth: social issues critically, to weigh evidence, debate • Encourage youth to actively engage in people from marginalised groups are actively engaged
• Support capacity building and strengthening of and make reasoned arguments. community projects and initiatives, fostering a in crafting legislation and governing matters that directly
youth councils, and share best practice across the • Leverage social media platforms to disseminate sense of responsibility and contributing to both affect their lives.
country, allocating funding to those where the issues political information in an easy-to-understand way, community and political advancement. Young
Enforce policies that can make it more difficult for
affecting young people are most acute, such as stimulate discussions, and encourage young people people suggested using existing platforms within
employers to dismiss people with disabilities unfairly
where it relates to education, employment, social to participate on issues that affect them. Social municipalities as a first step (e.g., youth councils),
from jobs. Earlier studies found that people with
inclusion, and community disengagement and other media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, but also supporting spontaneous, grassroots youth
disabilities tend be the first ones to lose their jobs, but
issues. Young people identified local youth councils Telegram, are widely used by young Albanians to initiatives and projects.
also have higher living expenses (estimated to 2 to 3
as a key platform for taking part in local decision- seek information and discuss political issues. • Strengthen and allocate additional funding to local times higher than people without disabilities).
making and budgetary processes. • Establish and publicise measures to make political youth centres in various communities, with a
• Share good practices from effective youth councils processes more transparent at various levels (local specific focus on the Northern regions. These Support local initiatives that aim to bring together and
where young people genuinely participate and level, central government, parliament) to enhance centres would serve as physical hubs for community connect diverse members of communities through
influence local decisions and budgets. Adopt and trust and understanding among young citizens. activities and platforms to expand successful social events and other local initiatives. This can help
replicate these good practices across other initiatives that promote youth involvement in inter- tackle the sense of disconnectedness and alienation
• Provide a platform for channelling student-driven
municipalities where youth participation is community interactions. amongst people with disabilities, Roma and Egyptian
initiatives, political activism and discontent among
ineffective. Raise awareness of available avenues for young people, and LGBTIQ+ youth.
student populations. This can be through political • Strengthen the credibility of community leaders by
youth voice and involvement at various levels (e.g., clubs or hubs within universities, Student Councils or demonstrating genuine interest and desire from local Provide tailored local support for young people with
local youth council, the National Youth Congress and student wings of political parties. leaders to interact with young people and involve disabilities and minority youth in terms of education,
Parliamentary youth clubs). Highlight specific them in issues that interest young people. skills acquisition, and employment. One of the barriers
examples and case studies in which youth mentioned by study participants was the perceived
• Provide local opportunities for volunteering among
involvement led to tangible benefits to various key inability of Employment Services staff to be able to
young people. Communicate the value and benefits
stakeholders, including young people themselves, support their needs.
of volunteering to the local community. Promote
wider community, policymakers and civil society.
specific examples of where the involvement of Include local funding for improving the accessibility
young individuals has positively impacted of local infrastructure that affect day-to-day lived
their communities. experience of people with disabilities. This includes,
• Introduce community schemes to promote youth for example, improving pedestrian walks, access to
leadership, including roundtables with local buildings via ramps, lifts, introducing traffic lights for
municipality members, youth ambassadors, and pedestrians with disabilities, etc.
establishing a youth position in Local
Communicate short and longer-term benefits of
Government Units.
education amongst Roma and Egyptian communities
to encourage them to remain in school for as long
Promoting social inclusion as possible, therefore helping their prospect of
Roma and Egyptian minorities, people with disabilities better employment.
and the LGBTQI+ community face discrimination in
The Next Generation initiative strives to understand the
many facets of their lives, including access to education,
experiences and aspirations of young individuals and
housing, employment and healthcare are more limited
amplify their voices, enabling them to better influence
as they are still seen as ‘other’. Lack of adequate
decisions and policies that impact their lives.
infrastructure, feelings of isolation and disconnection,
and limited job security were specifically mentioned
112 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 113

Annex Acknowledgements
Key research questions addressed The British Council and M&C Saatchi World Services Next Generation Albania Task
would like to sincerely thank the Next Generation Albania Force Members
within the workstreams Task Force and our local partners at IDRA Research
and Consulting for their ongoing support across the Adela Danaj – Program Director at the Liberal Institute of
Workstream 3 - Online community platform: design, fieldwork and analysis and reporting stages of Tirana Pashko (ILP)
the research. A special thank you to Loris Gockaj and Alba Brojka – Executive Director, Regional Youth
• How do young people in Albania feel about their
Edmond Çera at IDRA Research and Consulting for all Cooperation Office
daily lives and futures, including in comparison to
their work organising and conducting the fieldwork, Albi Greva – Director of Marketing and Public Relations
their parents’ generation?
quality assuring and processing the data and supporting Private Sector
• What are the values that affect the lives and Arbër Kodra – Executive Director, Open Mind Spectrum
analysis and interpretation of the findings.
decisions of young people in Albania? Albania (OMSA)
A special thanks to the British Ambassador in Albania, His Blerina Guga – Chief Executive Officer, Junior
Workstream 4 - One-on-one Youth Excellency Alastair King-Smith, and the British Embassy Achievement of Albania
in Tirana, for their tireless support and guidance.
Immersion Sessions: Dr Rudina Çollaku – Executive Director of Woman
We are very grateful to all the young Albanians who Center for Development and Culture Albania - WCDCA
• How do young people in Albania feel about their Inva Nela – British Embassy in Albania, Conflict, Stability
participated in this valuable research. We deeply
daily lives and futures, including in comparison to and Security Fund (CSSF) Project Officer
appreciate the diverse experiences and perspectives
their parents’ generation? Irisa Çupa – Member of Generation Democracy from IRI
that they shared and which form the basis of this report.
• What are the personal, national, social, and political Ornela Islami – Journalist and Documentary Producer
priorities of young people in Albania? (Freelance)
M&C Saatchi World Services - Research,
• How do young people in Albania engage in the social Sokol Haxhiu – Former Country Director, Westminster
Insight and Evaluation Team
and democratic life of their country? Foundation - WFD
Ana Babic, Research Manager Valbona Halitaj – Chairperson of the Union of Student
• How do young people in Albania perceive
Aibek Iliasov, Research Director Councils Albania
themselves and their role in their communities?
Elodie Causier, Head of Research
Justus Kampert, Research Executive Disclaimer
Workstream 5 - Group Workshops: Nick Vant, Senior Research Executive
The views expressed in this report are those of the
• What are the personal, national, social, and political
authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect
priorities of young people in Albania? IDRA Research and Consulting
the views of the British Council. Any errors and omissions
• What are the values that affect the lives and Danjela Leka, Fieldwork assistant remain our own.
decisions of young people in Albania? Denisa Mucllari, IDRApoll Platform Manager
• How do young people in Albania view their Edmond Çera, Director of Research Department
relationship with the UK, EU, and wider world? Loris Gockaj, Data Analyst
Megi Bega, Junior Data Analyst
These workshops also provide a space for group
reflection and collaboration, with the intention to British Council Team
connect participants and build future relationships.
Peter Brown – Former Director Western
Balkans and Serbia
Majlinda Mazelliu – Deputy Director Western Balkans,
Director Albania and Kosovo
Christine Wilson – Director Research and Insight
Dr Maryam Rab – Head of Research Programmes,
Research and Insight
Jeremy Lang – Lead Non-Formal Education Wider Europe
Rhea Bhandari – Project Coordinator and Executive
Assistant, Research and Insight
Daniela Nuredini – Programme Coordinator
Western Balkans
Erinda Sulovari – Resources Coordinator Albania
114 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 115

References
Associated Press. (2023). Western Balkan heads European Commission. (2020). Albania 2020 Gjana, I. (2020). Hofstede’s culture values survey in Kadiu, B., & Kadiu, E. (2018). Challenges of integration
of state press for swift approval of their European Report: Accompanying the Communication from the Albania: How the cultural scores have shifted over time? of families that have committed internal migration.
Union membership bids. Author. https://news.yahoo. Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, Journal of Innovative Business and Management, 12(1), European Journal of Social Sciences, 1(3), 137-147.
com/western-balkan-heads-state-press-170734424. the European Economic and Social Committee and the 49-60. https://doi.org/10.32015/JIBM/2020-12-1-7.
Kamberi, M., Islami, B., Bruci, E., & Salisbury, E. (2022).
html?guccounter=1&guce_ Committee of the Regions. https://neighbourhood-
Government of Albania. (2023). Interview of Prime The fourth communication of Albania on climate
enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-10/
BBC. (2023). Albania country profile. https://www.bbc. Minister Edi Rama for BBC Radio 4 Today Program. change. Ministry of Tourism and Environment. https://
albania_report_2020.pdf
co.uk/news/world-europe-17679574 https://www.kryeministria.al/en/newsroom/interviste-e- unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Fourth%20
European Training Foundation. (2018). Digital factsheet kryeministrit-edi-rama-ne-studion-e-programit-today-te- National%20Communication%20of%20Albania%20
Bertelsmann Stiftung. (2022). Albania: Country Report.
December 2018: Digital skills and online learning in bbc-radio-4/. to%20the%20UNFCCC_EN.pdf
Author. https://bti-project.org/fileadmin/api/content/
Albania. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/
en/downloads/reports/country_report_2022_ALB.pdf Hoxhaj, A. (2022). Written evidence submitted by Dr Maghnouj, S., Fordham, E., Guthrie, C., Henderson, K.,
files/2019-02/digital-factsheet_albania.pdf
Ando Hoxhaj. Home Affairs Select Committee. https:// & Trujillo, D. (2020). Albania. OECD. https://www.unicef.
Carletto, C., Davis, B., Stampini, M., & Zezza, A. (2006). A
European Training Foundation. (2021). Albania: committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/114643/ org/albania/media/2871/file/OECD_Reviews_of_
country on the move: International migration in post-
Education, training, and employment developments pdf/ Evaluation_and_Assessment_in_Education_Albania.pdf
communist Albania. The International Migration Review,
2021. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/
40(4), 767–785. INSTAT. (2011). Population and housing census. https:// Memia, A. (2020). Youth (un)employment in Albania: An
document/CFI_Albania_2021.pdf
web.archive.org/web/20200826201945/https://www. analysis of NEET and vulnerable youth. Partners Albania
Çela, A., Fshazi, T., Mazniku, A., Kamberi, G., & Smaja, J.
European Training Foundation. (2021). How migration, instat.gov.al/media/3058/main_results__population_ for Development and Change. https://partnersalbania.
(2013). Albanian youth 2011: “Between present hopes
human capital and the labour market interact in Albania. and_housing_census_2011.pdf org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/An-analysis-of-NEET-
and future insecurities!”. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
Author. https://www.etf.europa.eu/sites/default/ and-vulnerable-youth-Baseline-study_web.pdf
https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/albanien/10056. INSTAT. (2015). Youth in Albania: Challenges in changing
files/2021-09/migration_albania.pdf
pdf times. https://www.instat.gov.al/media/1583/youth_in_ Miconi, D., Dervishi, E., Wiium, N., Johnson-Lafleur, J.,
European Training Foundation. (2022). ‘Use it or lose it!’ albania_challenges_in_changing_times.pdf Ibrahimi, S., & Rousseau, C. (2021). Egyptian and Roma
Çela, A., Kamberi, G., & Pici, E. (2015). Albanian youth
How do migration, human capital and the labour market Adolescents’ Perspectives on Their Developmental
2015: “Slow change, internet dependency and … EU INSTAT. (2016). Population of Albania. https://web.
interact in the Western Balkans? Author. https://www. Assets in Albania During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
trust”. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf- archive.org/web/20171015202133/http://www.instat.
etf.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Migration_ Journal of research on adolescence: The official journal
files/bueros/albanien/12300.pdf gov.al/media/322941/press_release_population_of_
Western%20Balkans.pdf of the Society for Research on Adolescence, 31(3),
albania_1_ january_2016.pdf
Çela, A., & Kamberi, G. (2019). Youth study Albania. 576–594.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/ INSTAT. (2022). The population of Albania. https://www.
Nations. (2018). Comprehensive analysis of disaster Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). Relations
id-moe/15261.pdf instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/the-population-of-
risk reduction and management system for agriculture between Albania and the UK: Country brief. Author.
albania/#:~:text=Decreasing%20population,2011%20
CIA. (2023). Albania. https://www.cia.gov/the-world- in Albania. Author. https://www.fao.org/3/i8866en/ https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/marredheniet-
has%20decreased%20by%203.9%20%25.
factbook/countries/albania/ I8866EN.pdf dypaleshe/marredheniet-shqiperi-mbreteri-e-bashkuar/.
INSTAT. (2022). Unemployment in Albania. https://www.
Danja, E. (2022). Women, Migration and Gendered Flere, S., Hurrelmann, K., Klanjšek, R., Lavrič, M., Minority Rights Group International. (n.d.). World
instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/unemployment-in-
Experiences: The Case of Post-1991 Albanian Migration. Reimbold, H., & Taleski, D. (2015). Lost in democratic directory of minorities and indigenous peoples: Albania.
albania/
Springer. transition? Political challenges and perspectives for Author. https://minorityrights.org/country/albania/
young people in southeast Europe. Friedrich Ebert INSTAT. (2023). Tourism. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/
Economist Intelligence Unit. (n.d.). Albania. https:// OECD. (n.d.). PISA 2018 Database. Author. https://
Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/ themes/industry-trade-and-services/tourism/#tab2.
country.eiu.com/Albania www.oecd.org/pisa/data/2018database/?_
sarajevo/11505.pdf
Institute for Democracy and Mediation. (2011). Social ga=2.79632212.1174702435.1694535719-
Economist Intelligence Unit. (2022). Democracy Index
Fuga, A., & Dervishi, Z. (2010). Among the Village and trust and institutional authority in the Albanian 1907873432.1694535719
2022. https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-
Global Civilization, Dudaj, Tirana. democracy. Author. https://idmalbania.org/social-trust-
index-2022/ OECD. (2022). Multi-dimensional review of the Western
and-institutional-authority-in-the-albanian-democracy/
Fund for Peace. (2020). Human Flight and Brain Balkans: From analysis to action. OECD Development
Euronews Albania. (2022). How open are Albanian
Drain. https://fragilestatesindex.org/indicators/ International Labour Organisation. (2023). Statistics in Centre. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/eeac4c0b-
citizens to the LGBT+ community? Author. https://
e3/#:~:text=The%20Human%20Flight%20and%20 Europe and Central Asia. Author. https://ilostat.ilo.org/ en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/eeac4c0b-
euronews.al/en/how-open-are-albanian-citizens-to-the-
Brain,have%20on%20a%20country’s%20development. data/europe-and-central-asia/ en
lgbt-community/
Fund for Peace. (2020). Fragile States Index Annual Jorgoni, E. (2021). Albania’s preparedness Partners Albania for Development and Change. (2018).
Euronews Albania. (2023). Albania has the lowest
Report 2020. https://fundforpeace.org/2020/05/11/ to address the youth employment challenge Youth political participation in Albania. Author. http://
minimum wage compared to regional and EU
fragile-states-index-2020/ through the youth guarantee. European Social partnersalbania.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/
countries. https://euronews.al/en/albania-has-the-
Policy Network. https://ec.europa.eu/social/ Youth_Political_Participation_Albania_2018.pdf
lowest-minimum-wage-compared-to-regional-and- Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.
BlobServlet?docId=24689&langId=en#:~:text=The%20
eu-countries/#:~:text=In%20July%202023%2C%20 (2020). Disaster Risk Finance Diagnostic: Albania.
Youth%20Guarantee%20has%20
Albania’s%20minimum,wage%20was%20around%- https://www.financialprotectionforum.org/publication/
been,school%2Dto%2Dwork%20transition.
20360%20euros disaster-risk-finance-diagnostic-albania
116 Next Generation Albania Next Generation Albania 117

Parsons, S. (2020). Albania Country Strategy. European United Nations Development Programme. (2019).
Bank for Reconstruction and Development. https://www. Employment and social services in Northern Albania.
readkong.com/page/albania-country-strategy-2020- https://www.undp.org/albania/projects/employment-
2025-approved-by-the-board-1205068 and-social-services-northern-albania.
Prime Minister’s Office. (2022). UK-Albania joint United Nations Development Programme. (2019).
communique enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas of Employment and vet policy reform in Albania: The
common interest. UK Government. https://www.gov.uk/ Employment Social Fund. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/
government/publications/uk-albania-joint-communique- files/zskgke326/files/migration/al/WEB_technical-
enhancing-bilateral-cooperation-in-areas-of-common- note-1-.pdf
interest/uk-albania-joint-communique-enhancing-
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
bilateral-cooperation-in-areas-of-common-interest.
(2020). Opinion: What can we learn from the 2019
Regional Cooperation Council. (n.d.). Employment earthquake in Albania. https://www.undrr.org/news/
of persons with disabilities in Albania. https://www. opinion-what-we-can-learn-2019-earthquake-albania.
esap.online/download/docs/PWD%20analysis_
Uraguchi, Z. B. (2018). The future they want: Making
AL.PDF/547db2cf334355bd41e082516f963c0f.pdf
sense of youth aspirations in East and Southeast
Regional Cooperation Council. (2023). Balkan public Europe. Helvetas. https://www.helvetas.org/en/eastern-
barometer. https://www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer/ europe/about-us/follow-us/helvetas-mosaic/article/
results/2/public December2018/The-Future-They-Want
Republic of Albania. (2016). Third national USAID. (n.d.). Fact sheet: Support for persons with
communication of the republic of Albania under the disabilities. https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/albania/news-
United Nations framework convention on climate information/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-support-persons-
change. https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/ disabilities-and-disability-rights#:~:text=According%20
Albania%20NC3_13%20October%202016.pdf. to%20official%20Government%20of,stigmatization%20
and%20isolation%20from%20society.
Sapsford, R., & Abbott, P. (2006). Trust, confidence
and social environment in post-communist societies. Westminster Foundation for Democracy. (2019). National
Frontiers of Sociology, 39(1), 59-71. survey: Young people and politics in Albania. https://
www.wfd.org/what-we-do/resources/national-survey-
Schwandner-Sievers, S. (1999). Humiliation and
young-people-and-politics-albania
reconciliation in northern Albania: The logics of feuding
in symbolic and diachronic perspectives. Sociologus, World Bank. (2021). Climate risk country profile: Albania.
Supplement 1, 133-152. https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/
default/files/2021-06/15812-Albania%20Country%20
Schwandner-Sievers, S. (2008). Albanians, Albanianism
Profile-WEB.pdf
and the strategic subversion of stereotypes.
Anthropological Notebooks, 14(2), 47-64. World Bank. (2023). The World Bank in Albania. https://
www.worldbank.org/en/country/albania/overview
Smith, H. (2023). Albania sets its sights on high-end eco-
tourism. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/ Youth Bank Hub for Western Balkan and Turkey. (2018).
travel/2023/feb/24/albania-sets-its-sights-on-high-end- Monitoring report on political, social and economic
eco-tourism. participation of youth in Albania. http://partnersalbania.
org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/YBH_Jan_
Titili, D., & Nikaj, I. (2023). Between rurality and urbanity:
June_2018_ENG.pdf
Indicators of social integration of Albanian rural to urban
migrants. European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies,
8(2), 30-41.
UNESCO. (2017). Albania education policy review: Issues
and recommendations. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/
ark:/48223/pf0000259245
UNICEF. (2021). Albania: Country Office Annual Report
2021. https://www.unicef.org/media/115791/file/Albania-
2021-COAR.pdf
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for
cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create
friendly knowledge and understanding between the people
of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a
positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work
with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building
connections and engendering trust.
The Next Generation series is part of the British Council’s
commitment to exploring youth voice and choice. It aims to
understand youth attitudes and aspirations, amplify youth
voice and support better youth policymaking. The reports
focus on young people in countries experiencing a period
of significant change, to ensure that young people’s voices
are heard and their interests represented in decisions that
will have lasting implications for their lives.
www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight

DOI: https://doi.org/10.57884/8y5s-eh57
© British Council 2023, licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International Licence
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

Photography credits:

Eriona Çami – Photographer