Mainly from children and relatives in Greece, Italy and the United States, along with those in Germany, France or Belgium, Albanian emigrants sent over 1 billion euros to their families last year. Data from the Bank of Albania shows that compared to 2023, remittances have increased by a full 116 million euros.
"We still have inflation present in the country, which puts pressure on the existence and dependence of vulnerable groups on remittances," Eris Dhamo, a lecturer and sociologist, tells A2 CNN.
According to the World Bank, there are nearly 174,000 Albanian families, or 23 percent of the total, that depend partially or entirely on money sent to them by relatives abroad. The need for more money as a result of the rising cost of living is also acknowledged by the citizens themselves who expect remittances.
"Now that prices have increased, we are forced to ask our children for more money. I have my brothers who help me otherwise," the citizens say.
According to data from the Institute of Statistics, the two poorest regions of the country, Kukës and Dibra, are also the ones with the highest dependence on remittances. At the same time, at the national level, 26 percent of Albanian families that receive money from abroad have less disposable income than the rest.
"If we refer again to INSTAT figures, then we will understand that the money from remittances goes to meet basic needs and not for entertainment or luxury," says Dhamo.
Despite the increased figures, due to the depreciation of the euro, Albanian families have had less lek in their hands. According to data from the Bank of Albania, the loss of Albanian families as a result of the depreciation of the European currency is estimated at around 5 percent. (A2 Televizion)
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