"Youth Day without Youth"/ Belind Këlliçi: Albania is facing a massive exodus of young people

2025-12-08 13:39:00, Politikë CNA

"Youth Day without Youth"/ Belind Këlliçi: Albania is

On Youth Day, December 8, MP Belind Këlliçi raised the alarm about the situation of young people in the country, describing it as extremely problematic and characterized by a massive desire for emigration.

According to Këlliç, data from a survey by the Center for Economic and Social Studies shows that 79% of Albanian students express a desire to leave the country, while 40% of the middle class, the most productive stratum of society, is considering emigrating.

He stressed that these figures are directly affecting pre-university education, where the number of students is constantly declining and many schools, especially in rural areas, have closed. Higher education, according to him, also suffers from a lack of quality, leading students to passivity and the aim of finding a future abroad.

Këlliçi stated that young people do not see a diploma as a means to success in the job market and, according to him, political messages that suggest emigration as a solution only worsen the situation.

In the economy, the MP noted that businesses are facing a labor shortage, being forced to seek employees from countries like India, Bangladesh, or African countries. At the same time, according to him, professionals and craftsmen are becoming increasingly rare in urban centers.

He added that the lack of prospects has led some young people to drug addiction or involvement in criminal activities, while criminal organizations, as he expressed it, with government blessing, are presented as a quick way to escape poverty.

However, Këlliçi stated that there is light at the end of the tunnel, emphasizing that Albania has great development potential, which can only be exploited through deep reforms and the engagement of young people.

"Albania can save itself. Young people can save themselves," he said, inviting young people to stay and contribute to the country.

Këlliçi concluded his message by wishing everyone a happy December 8th and congratulating the young people who have decided to continue their efforts to bring Albania closer to European standards.

Belind Këlliç's statement

Youth Day without youth

December 8 finds Albanian society in an extremely problematic situation regarding youth.

The figures for the desire to emigrate are at alarming levels, with 79% of students declaring that they want to leave, according to a survey by the Center for Economic and Social Studies.

The middle class, the most productive stratum of society and the one that drives a country's demographic and economic development, declares a desire to emigrate at a rate of 40%.

These figures indicate a massive trend of flight which certainly brings its own social, economic and political consequences.

Students in pre-university education have decreased, with the ever-increasing phenomenon of closed schools, especially in rural areas.

University education is not of the proper quality and students, who should be the first to be interested in reforming it, feel indifferent and wait for the opportunity to emigrate.

They do not see education as connected to the job market and a diploma as worthless for a successful life.

Hell, what alternative are you given?

The Prime Minister himself promises you the "European passport" as a solution to every problem, through departure.

This situation has created its own inevitable problems in the labor market, in productivity, and in curbing growth.

Businesses in sectors such as construction, industry, or tourism are facing a labor shortage and are trying to get it from foreign countries such as India, Bangladesh, or African countries.

Professionals and craftsmen are lacking in urban centers where they are most needed.

Albanian youth is misinformed, misoriented, and driven out.

Many of the young people have ended up not only drug users but also soldiers or workers in organized crime, which, with the government's blessing, presents itself as the only social ladder and a quick way out of poverty.

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

Of course, yes.

Albania is not a country geographically poor, historically hopeless, or institutionally destined for failure.

Albania contains within itself the energies to renew, to grow, to change.

This will certainly require structural reforms, but none of these reforms can be implemented without the real, direct, and free-will engagement of young people.

Albania can save itself.

Young people can save themselves.

With the energy, talent, dedication, and idealism of age.

They just need to ask themselves the questions:

If not today, when?

If not me, who?

Happy December 8th, you young people who have decided to continue the battle in your country and make Albania a European country!/ CNA