The Central Bank of Austria found in a survey that high levels of emigration from the Balkans into Europe are driven by citizen dissatisfaction with public services.
The experts who conducted the survey found that the phenomenon was more prevalent in Albania, particularly in those with small children who are dissatisfied with education, public safety, and health.
“Our findings suggest that dissatisfaction with the quality of public services in countries of origin increases the likelihood that individuals will have emigration intentions. Broken down according to the type of public service, we find that dissatisfaction with social security, health, public infrastructure and services aimed at businesses and regional development is associated with higher aspirations for emigration,” the study noted.
Albania suffered dissatisfaction rates twice those of Romania and Serbia. This leads to a mass exodus of young people, a decline in the labour force, increasing dependency ratios and pronounced demographic challenges.
Factors that have been identified as important drivers of emigration remain difficult to be directly addressed by policymakers, the study states, adding that the only way the trend can be reversed is if they study the contributing factors and find solutions.
It also noted that the link between people’s satisfaction with the quality of public services and emigration carries the risk of a vicious cycle. When more individuals emigrate, public finances are weakened, which leaves less room for improving the quality of public services, and this can lead to further deterioration of emigration.
Regional economic development initiatives would provide an environment that could reduce the aspirations of individuals to move abroad. Improvements to public services are needed for people to stay. At the same time, these developments can have a positive impact on the return of immigrants, the study suggests.
