The Case of Albania

Abstract

The unique opening up of a previously closed society in post-communist Albania was utilized to investigate the motivations for and impacts of emigration across geographically close but economically diverse borders. As would be anticipated, labor flows were very large across all segments of society. There is, however, extensive evidence that these flows may have significantly improved life for those who remained behind. The consequences of Albania's accession and those of similarly affected countries in the European Union is discussed.