Young Albanians are increasingly choosing to pursue higher education abroad, making Albania one of the countries with the highest rates of student mobility in the region.

A report by the UNESCO highlights that this trend is being driven by several key factors, including long-term emigration, the decline in the youth population, and the search for better professional opportunities abroad.

According to the report, higher education in Albania has undergone significant changes over the past two decades. In 2003, only 16% of young people were enrolled in university, while by 2024 this figure had risen to approximately 82%, reflecting a substantial expansion in access to higher education.

However, alongside the increase in domestic university enrollment, the tendency to study outside Albania has also grown. UNESCO notes that the wave of emigration that began in the early 1990s continues to have a direct impact on this trend, influencing younger generations as well.

At the same time, the report states that student mobility is not necessarily a negative development, as it provides important academic and professional benefits for young people. The main challenge, however, is encouraging graduates to return and integrate into the domestic labor market so that the knowledge and skills acquired abroad can contribute to the country’s development.

The report also raises concerns that the shrinking university-age population and the continued emigration of young people could affect the future of Albanian universities.

With fewer students enrolling each year and an economy that increasingly requires highly qualified professionals, Albania faces the challenge of retaining talent within the country or creating the conditions necessary for young people to return after completing their studies abroad.