Albania: A place to happily grow old in? International retirement migration, and changing landscapes of ageing and care in later life: International retirement migration, and changing landscapes of ageing and care in later life

Vullnetari, Julie (2026) Albania: A place to happily grow old in? International retirement migration, and changing landscapes of ageing and care in later life: International retirement migration, and changing landscapes of ageing and care in later life. Contemporary Southeastern Europe.

Abstract

Since the end of communism, Albania has undergone major political, economic, social, and environmental changes. Large-scale emigration has been accompanied by population decline and rapid ageing, particularly in rural areas. Older people are left on their own when all their adult children have migrated, with some eventually moving to a residential care home. Meanwhile, Albania is emerging as a destination for International Retirement Migration (IRM), especially among Italians. The paper asks whether Albania is a place for a happy retirement, and for whom. It documents and analyses migration–development dynamics in Albania with a focus on older people, and related discourses around ageing, migration, and care in later-life. The discussion draws attention to three key recent developments: i) rapid population ageing linked to emigration; ii) Albania’s incorporation into the geographies of European IRM; and, iii) the growth of residential care for older Albanians in the country. Drawing on academic literature, INSTAT data, and media examples, the paper shows how global and national inequalities intersect to shape later-life migration and immobility, and points to directions for future research.

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Contributors

Author: Julie Vullnetari

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