The Migration of the Population in the South Albania: The Case of Gjirokastra Region

Post-1990, international migration—particularly to Greece—emerged as a dominant demographic force reshaping the population dynamics of Gjirokastra, Albania. This study reveals that illegal emigration, driven by political instability and economic hardship, became a defining feature of the region’s socio-economic evolution. Analyzing migration patterns across time, space (communes and villages), and population structure (age, gender, ethnicity, education, settlement), the research identifies key factors including distance, familial versus individual migration, and motives behind movement. The findings underscore a severe population deficit in Gjirokastra, primarily attributable to large-scale emigration, with significant implications for local development and heritage preservation.

Duri, V. (2016). The Migration of the Population in the South Albania: The Case of Gjirokastra Region. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. https://doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p214