How much does an Albanian immigrant earn abroad? Greece the biggest disappointment. Albanians only get half of what they expect
While the potential for high earnings is a key driver of migration decisions, migrants consistently overestimate their potential earnings abroad, regardless of demographic background or destination. The 2024 Migration Survey, prepared by the World Bank and INSTAT, reveals a deep gap between what migrants expect to earn and the reality that awaits them abroad.
According to the report, Albanian emigrants, before leaving, expect to earn an average of about $3,900 per month. In practice, their real income results in about $2,200 per month, just over half of their initial expectations. This pattern is repeated for almost all demographic groups, regardless of gender, education level or country of destination.
Even more dramatic is the gap in savings, which is the main reason for emigration. Emigrants expect to save about $1,270 per month, but actually manage to put aside only about $450. This means that actual savings are almost three times lower than planned before leaving.
The report highlights that this gap between expectations and reality is particularly pronounced in traditional destinations such as Greece, where informality of work, precarious contracts and real living costs significantly reduce the economic benefits of migration. However, the phenomenon is not limited to a single country, but appears in all the main Albanian migration corridors.
This situation cannot be reduced to individual frustration. It points to a deeper structural problem, the lack of reliable and official information on migration. The report notes that most migrants leave without formal guidance, without real data on wages, savings and working conditions, relying mainly on informal networks, relatives or heard experiences.
The World Bank and INSTAT report makes it clear that emigration can only be developmental if it is based on accurate information and real preparation. Otherwise, it remains a choice built on illusions, with high costs for the individual, the family and Albanian society itself.
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