"We must anticipate the wave of demographic change with long-term strategies and well-thought-out and coordinated policies," declared the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, at the joint conference of the Academies of Sciences of Albania and Kosovo, dedicated to the topic "Demographic changes and labor market dynamics." The head of state warned that current and future demographic developments are affecting the foundations of Albanian society, security, family, employment and well-being, emphasizing that any delay in reaction will have irreversible consequences. "Pessimistic forecasts and the worrying demographic current situation show that if we delay or make a mistake today, we will not have a second chance tomorrow," said President Begaj.
In his speech, the President analyzed the contradictions that the labor market is experiencing in the country and in the region, where the lack of labor coexists with high youth unemployment. "This contradiction is a paradox that requires new, visionary and long-term policies. The labor market requires employees with new skills in technology, information, specialized services and innovation. This is a structural change that requires responsible management, so that development preserves its social character and national cohesion", he emphasized.
President Begaj described the demographic situation as an issue that also affects national security, underlining that the consequences are not limited to the economy. "Negative demographic developments lead to a reduction in the tax base, a weakening of productive capacity and an overload of pension and health systems. The depopulation of rural and border areas harms social cohesion and territorial control, while the emigration of young people reduces the human capital and the country's defense capacity," declared the Head of State.
He welcomed the initiatives being implemented in Albania and Kosovo to increase fertility, improve the quality of life, care for the elderly and integrate demographic factors into national economic planning, but urged that strategies and policies be implemented meticulously and without delay. “Policies and strategies must not only be implemented carefully, but their effectiveness must be measured and monitored closely. If we delay or make a mistake today, we will not have a second chance tomorrow,” said Begaj.
The President considered it vital to strengthen cooperation between Albania and Kosovo in the field of economic development and the labor market, assessing that only through a common approach can more opportunities be created for young people. “We need a more united and coordinated market, so that the entire region becomes more attractive for investments and joint development projects. Only in this way can we create more stability and more hope for the younger generations. In this context, the European integration process remains the most sustainable path for long-term development and mitigates some of the causes of emigration,” said the President of the Republic.
At the end of his speech, Begaj shared a personal example from a visit to a school outside Tirana, where he had noticed a drastic drop in the number of students and the emptying of the area by young people. “Demography is a fact and addressing this challenge with responsibility and seriousness today is an obligation. If we act late, tomorrow we may no longer have the opportunity to correct it,” he emphasized.
President Begaj called for a broad involvement of institutions, policymakers, experts and the private sector in building policies based on knowledge and scientific research, to respond to the demographic challenge that, according to him, determines the very future of Albania and Kosovo.
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