The Impact of Financial and Social Remittances in Perpetuating Migration (Albanian Migration Context)

Abstract

Since 1990 Albania has experienced massive external and international migration due to political, economical and social changes occurred in Albanian society. Albanian migration represents a variety of migratory experiences and a combination of different forms of migration (internal, external, temporary, permanent, etc) and destinations. Albania’s contemporaneous mass emigration and internal migration over the short span of time since 1990 provides an excellent laboratory to study the inter links of these types of migration (King R, Skeldon R, - Vullnetari J, 2008: 33). Migration and remittances have changed the social face of Albanian society. Based on the theoretical framework of De Haas (2010) that social remittances can further strengthen migration aspiration, the aim of this paper is to highlight the impact of financial and social remittances from emigrants to Greece in encouraging internal (rural to urban) and external ongoing migration. Data collection will be provided by in-depth interviews. This paper will base on case-histories of Albanian families with different migratory experience to show off how emigration to Greece has lead to a subsequent internal migration within Albania.