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Corresponding Author:
Visar Malaj, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania

Coauthors:
Stefano De Rubertis, Department of Economics Sciences, Faculty of Economics, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy

Determinants of Western Balkan Emigration Flows: An Empirical Analysis

Volume 69 - Issue 3, August 2016
(pp. 233-252)
JEL classification: C23, J11, J61, O15
Keywords: Western Balkans, Gravity Model of Migration, Migration Determinants

Abstract

The decision to migrate is a function of push and pull factors. Push factors include social and economic problems in the origin country, such as human rights violation, poverty, war, natural catastrophes etc. On the other hand, migrants are attracted by pull factors in the destination countries, such as high income per capita, common language, security etc. This study is focused on the emigration phenomenon in Western Balkans and on the corresponding determinants. We estimate a particular gravity equation, including two original independent variables, related with two typical concerns for the Western Balkans: corruption and unemployment. According to the diagnostic tests, the estimated model fits well the data. Governments of Western Balkan countries should orient their policies toward the mitigation of social and economic inequality, the elimination of corruption and of the culture of impunity, and the creation of new jobs. This will lead to a sustainable economic growth and to the reduction of the number of reasons to leave the country. Authorities should implement drastic reforms and concrete measures, based on high quality studies and on successful models of former communist countries, in order to come out of the long and dark tunnel of transition.

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Institute for International Economics of the Genoa Chamber of Commerce

Institute for International Economics
of the Genoa Chamber of Commerce