By Eduard Zaloshnja

In April, I conducted a national statistical survey for the German Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. 1111 adults from Vermoshi to Konispol were surveyed face-to-face, with a proportional distribution between urban and rural areas, gender, and age groups. Among many questions, the respondents were asked this question: “What is the monthly income of your family?”

Over half of the respondents answered between 1 and 750 euros (4.9% 1-300 euros; 20% 300-500 euros; 25.6% 500-750 euros per month).

But how does this half of Albanian families with monthly incomes of 1-750 euros per month cope with life?

The vast majority of them (95.5%) lived in their own homes (according to the answers they gave in the survey). That is, they do not pay rent for housing. However, other expenses are unaffordable for them, considering that the average expenses of Albanian families are 1000 euros per month (according to INSTAT).

And here another question for respondents in the aforementioned statistical survey comes to our aid: "Do relatives abroad often help you with remittances in foreign currency?"

Over 9 out of 10 respondents with a monthly family income of 1 to 750 euros answered “often” or “rarely.” That is, the vast majority of them survive thanks to the help of relatives abroad.

And in fact, according to the Bank of Albania, foreign remittances from emigration reached a record figure of 1 billion and 120 million euros last year.

Judging from the above statistical survey, it is likely that the vast majority of these foreign remittances from emigration have helped to support the survival of families with a monthly income of 1 to 750 euros.