How much "weight" does the Albanian diaspora have? Without remittances, the poverty level would be about 30 percentage points higher
The Albanian diaspora continues to be a key support for the country's economy, not only through its demographic connection to Albania, but especially through the money it sends to families. Data shows that remittances have a significant impact on the economy, have a direct impact on poverty reduction and sustain the consumption of thousands of families, although they are still being used very little for investment and long-term development.
According to data from the “Bank of Albania” and INSTAT, remittances were close to 4.5% of Gross Domestic Product in 2025 and constituted 18% of household income in 2022 according to the “World Bank”. For one in four beneficiary families, they were the only source of income. The same report emphasizes that, in the absence of remittances, the poverty level would be about 30 percentage points higher.
These data place the diaspora in a role that goes beyond family support. It functions as a real social and economic shock absorber, cushioning financial shocks for many families and keeping domestic consumption alive.
A more concrete picture of this impact is provided by the 2024 Migration Survey. According to it, about half of immigrant households received remittances in the 12 months prior to the survey. For these households, remittances accounted for an average of 41% of total income.
However, the use of this money remains largely focused on basic needs. About 90% of families use remittances for food and daily expenses, 36% for medical expenses, and 30% for education. In contrast, less than 2% of them go to business expansion or productive investments.
This shows that remittances are playing a crucial role in maintaining consumption and a minimum level of welfare, but are not yet becoming a strong instrument of economic development.
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