Demographic Dynamics and Characteristics of Urbanization in Albania in the First Decade of Transition: The first steps in shaping the demographic-territorial model of transition

By, Dr. Gentian KAPRATA

Abstract

The population of Albania in the decade 1989-2001 decreased to about 282 thousand inhabitants, as a result of two phenomena: (i) external migration; and (ii) lowering the fertility rate. Albanian society was also affected by the phenomenon of internal migration that produced: (i) the increase in the level of urbanization of the country; and (ii) demographic imbalance in the territory. Two main trends of internal emigration were distinguished: (i) rural-rural; and (ii) rural-urban. Both of these contributed to the increase in the level of urbanization of the country, and to the imbalance of regions of the country. There were four internal migration trends, of which: (i) three towards the central area of the country; and (ii) one towards the Western Lowlands. All four of these trends (lines) created the imbalance of population distribution, creating: (i) the concentrated region of Tirana-Durres; (ii) the non-partisan Fier-Vlora region; and (iii) the abandoned region that included the other eight counties of the country. The districts of Tirana, Durrës, Vlora and Fier dominate in the attraction of internal migrants, which reached 252,700 people. Only 9 out of 36 districts of the country or 25% of them had a positive demographic balance, while 27 districts or 75% of them suffered a negative balance. The phenomenon of population concentration in large urban centers is present in large cities, but it is especially noticeable in the capital, which grew (i) four times more than the total physical development of 40 years during 1945-1985, as well as (ii) with 151.500 new residents.

Keywords: demography, external migration, internal migration, fertility rate, urbanization level, demographic-territorial model, population concentration, population abandonment.

How to cite: Kaprata, G. (2023a). Demographic dynamics and characteristics of urbanization in Albania in the first decade of transition: The first steps in shaping the demographic-territorial model of transition. Ingenious, 3(1), 34–50.

https://doi.org/10.58944/upbp3005