Understanding the Albanians’ Return to North Macedonia
Understanding the Albanians’ Return to North Macedonia

Motivations and Impact of Albanian Returnees on Local Community

Summary/Abstract: In recent years, a number of ethnic Albanians from North Macedonia have decided to return from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy to Macedonia in spite of the unfavourable economic and political conditions in their home country. Why have Albanian Macedonian emigrants decided to come back? What is their role in the political, social, and economic changes in their home country? These questions seem to be particularly valid against a background of insufficient statistical and qualitative data regarding return migration in the post-Yugoslav context. Drawing on ethnographic research and circular as well as transnational migration studies, I question the argument that migrants return to their home countries only because of the achievement of initial financial aims or deteriorating working conditions in the European Union. Although these arguments might reflect some ethnic Albanian motivation to return, they do not cover the complexity of the phenomena. This article argues that Albanians from North Macedonia have decided to return home because of a strong sense of community and ethnic belonging, as well as recognition of Albanian minority rights and economic possibilities that emerged after major political changes: the collapse of Yugoslavia and the armed conflict in 2001 in North Macedonia. Furthermore, I also show that returnees might have an important impact on the local community due to their know-how, transnational connections, and economic resources that help them acquire higher economic and social positions in an ethnically divided society.

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