Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000

Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme
Elda KAPPLLANI
National Statistical Institute – INSTAT
Rr. Lekë Dukagjini Nr. 5
Tirana, Albania
T. + 355 422 2411 F. + 355 422 8300 ekapllani@instat.gov.al
Lantona SADO
National Statistical Institute – INSTAT
Rr. "Lekë Dukagjini" Nr. 5
Tirana, Albania
T. + 355 422 2411 F. + 355 422 8300 lsado@instat.tirana.al
ABSTRACT
Living Conditions, Housing and Forced Evictions – A Contrasted Case in Albania
The presentation of household living conditions in Albania, the analyze on social development, the changes in a development society, are the main topics of this study.
Every day in Albania are noticed new events and transformations, which are reflected in the people standard of living. The characteristic of Albanian families is a strong heterogeneity of living conditions, in the sense that people often seem to enjoy an advanced standard of living in one sense but to be lacking basic necessities.
The dwellings, the comfort, the household and the contradictions linked with the consumption of luxury things in one hand and in the other hand a big luck of electricity and infrastructure, access in running water; insufficient services in medical care and education, these are the themes that we would try to emphasize through concrete figures and their analyses.
Albanians changes in the population structure have brought about two types of internal migration: Urbanization and overpopulation are the primary challenges local governments are facing today.
The conditions relatively difficult, which the most part of Albanian households have to face, are highlighted in this document. For the data about living condition, housing and forced evictions of the Albanian households, we referred to the Living Conditions survey performed by INSTAT in
1998, the first national survey made in Albania.
RESUME
Conditions de vie, logement et évictions forcées – Un exemple contrasté en Albanie
2
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000

Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme
La présentation des conditions de vie des ménages en Albanie, l’analyse du développement social et les changements dans une société en développement sont les principaux thèmes de cette
étude.
On observe chaque jour, en Albanie, de nouveaux événements et de nouvelles transformations qui se reflètent dans le mode de vie des gens. La caractéristique des familles albanaises est une forte hétérogénéité des conditions de vie dans le sens où les personnes semblent apprécier un niveau de vie avancé tout en ne disposant pas des nécessités de base.
Les habitations, le confort, les ménages et les contradictions liées à la consommation de produits de luxe, d’une part, et un manque crucial d’électricité et d’infrastructure, d’accès à l’eau courante, une insuffisances des services de soins de santé et d’éducation, de l’autre, sont les problématiques que nous aimerions mettre en avant par le biais de données chiffrées concrètes et de leur analyse.
Les changements intervenant dans la structure de la population en Albanie ont engendré deux types de migrations internes : l’urbanisation et la surpopulation sont les défis majeurs auxquels les autorités locales sont confrontées à l’heure actuelle.
Les conditions relativement difficiles auxquelles la majorité des ménages albanais doivent aujourd’hui faire face, sont mises en lumière dans ce document. Pour les données concernant les conditions de vie, le logement et les évictions forcées des ménages albanais, nous renvoyons à l’enquête sur les conditions de vie réalisée par l’INSTAT en 1998, la première enquête nationale a avoir été réalisée en Albanie.
1. Introduction
The period of democratic transitions in Albania it was more difficult that it was provided in comparison with other countries of SEE. After the democratic changes of 1991-1992, Albania finally joined other countries that have chosen to pursue the development of their societies in the interests of humanity.
Along this new road, just older than a decade, Albania has made progress regarding human rights and freedom. However, it has been impossible to avoid certain random elements, which have hampered human development. For instance, by indulging in the freedoms they were denied,
Albanians have threatened other aspects of their own development. But the difficulties in transition period goes together with some specifics of Albania.
This study examines the main living condition trends in Albania. Different topics are discussed in relation to other transformation in the country.
2. Human Development Index
Includes some qualitative aspects that better reflect the real purpose of development. In the majority of development analyses conducted on Albania the most often used indicator has been income per capita. The means to adapt and standardize the calculation of this indicator have not yet been institutionalized. This institutionalization would lead to systematic data collection, as well as the periodic calculation and publication of the indicator. Such an attempt has been made by the
UNDP in its Global Human Development Report of 1998, in which the indicator was calculated using indirect methods based on statistical data from 1995, as published by various international institutions. The Albanian HDI value is 0,656 (through the Human Development Report).
According to this calculation, this value places Albania 105th among 175 countries.
The human development index reflects health through life expectancy, knowledge through mean years of schooling and adult literacy and wealth through per capita income. At all levels of development, this three essential capabilities are needed for a decent standard of living.
3
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000

Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme
In Albania, several of these basic goals have not yet been achieved at a suitable level. The fact that economic growth does not in and of itself lead to suitable human development is well illustrated by the state of economic development in Albania. The gross domestic product in 1999 is grown with 8%, feeling the growth of such sectors like agricultural production, construction and services.
If we speak about life expectancy , according to the calculation based upon population projections by INSTAT, for 1990-1995 is 71.4 years, a comparable index with the other county of
Europe, meanwhile the others index are similar with those of the developing countries. This is result of some different factors together, including demography, the geographic position and the young age that is dominoes in our population.
Literacy : Although primary education is nearly universal, illiteracy rates are low. According to the Living Condition Survey 1998, the illiteracy rate between individuals 14-65 years old is
5.1%. The progress in the education has a great impact in the progress of the country. The trends of the recent year shows the increased number of the young people who abandons the school. A great number of pupils -mostly poor and in the rural areaabandon the compulsory school. It is certain that as sheep, goats and cattle have taken on more importance, there is pressure to send children out to tend the animals rather than to go to school or to do homework. To a lesser extent, city children are often seen selling in the street to help their families. Although primary school is compulsory, administrators have not made tremendous efforts to enforce it.
This given fact would serve that the fundamental elements of stable human development – decreased poverty, the creation of jobs and an improved standard of living- that must become the urgent focus of new programs.
3. The Quality of Everyday Life
At the first glance things in Albania are changing continuously. Every day new events and transformations are noticed, whose are reflected in the people standard of living.But it is noticed too a big difference in the welfare level of different group of the population. One characteristic of
Albanian families is a strong heterogeneity of living conditions, in the sense that people often seem to enjoy an advanced standard of living in one sense but to be lacking basic necessities. So, there is a big consumption of luxury things and in the other hand there is big luck electricity, infrastructure, the access in running water, insufficient services in medical care and education.
Especially in cities, but also in certain villages, it is not rare to find household with a remotecontrol color television but little or no running water. There is a huge difference between different strata of population linked with the family comfort.
The Albanian family today, in comparison with the past, is better able to satisfy its material needs and has have better access to information, more personal freedom, and greater mobility.
Currently Albanians are more concerned with life within their immediate families than with collective or public life. This often means that private space is well maintained, but the public space is neglected.
Every day life in both urban and rural areas has changed. The differences seems relatively high between the zones with more than 10000 inhabitants ( big cities) and in those with less than
10000 inhabitants (small cities and villages). The typical generosity of a family member with a well-paid job in the private sector, or better jet abroad, contributes greatly to the sense of an improved standard of living.
4. Housing
Almost 95 % of Albanian households own their dwellings:
 In the big cities 2/3 of households was made owner according to the Law. ( Law Nr. 7652
4
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000

Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme

“The privatization of state dwellings”). In this zone 65% of the households live in apartments.
In small cities and villages 85% of households has been owners of their households before the privatization Law. Individual dwelling is typically for this zone, in which live about 85
% of the households.
In Albania there are dwellings of different standards: individual dwelling; a five floor apartment building; new high buildings of European standards. Although much of the urban housing has been constructed by the state within the last 25 years. The poor quality of much of original constructions material together with the almost total lack of maintenance have contributed to a general state of housing which may be classified as dilapidated. 20% of households despite of the zone declare to have their dwellings in a bad state.
Maximum efforts are done by Albanian households to keep the inside of their dwellings as clean as pleasantly decorated as possible. The most common investment made with any remaining funds is home improvement or construction, understandable, considering how long Albanians have lived in cramped, unheated spaces without basic comforts. Especially in the cities, many have renovate their dwellings as:
 The reconstruction of the toilet;
 The improvement of the state electrical wiring standard;
 Different repairs inside their dwellings etc.
Concerning the toilet with bath/shower or WC with running water there are significant differences between urban and rural area.
Table 2.
Bath/shower
Less than 10000
7.9 %
More than 10000
17.8 %
Total
11.2 %
WC inside with running water 26.0 % 81.9 % 44.9 %
So the urban renewal and construction programs will be needed in order to improve the basic human development standards.
The high demand for housing of crowded urban and rural dwellers as well as pressure from rural migration to cities has led to a construction boom. Unfortunately, much of the construction is without proper planning and building supervision. The new apartments are sold in very high prices which make difficulties to the normal people to buy them.
Some social problems are linked with the average dwelling space that is in the household’s dispose. The average space of dwellings is 14.62 m per person. But the real space of the dwelling doesn’t express the real standard of living. In small cities and villages, really the dwellings are larger but they have few possibilities, 53.7% of the households do not have access to cleaning water.
5. Comfort
Easy access to clean water is an essential factor influencing the quality of life, especially for women, who bear the burden of water if water is not piped into the home. At the national level, two third of the household have access to the running water but it is important to mention the significant differences which exist between urban and rural areas. We have to precise that:
 In the zones with more than 10000 inhabitants, 95% of households have access to the
 running water.
In the zones with less than 10000 inhabitants, 43 % of the households having no access to
5
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000

Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme the running water, use wells and the others use common water resources.
It is important to mention that the non-maintenance of old and leaking water system have bring consequently that in urban areas, one household in 6 has the chance to have running water without cutting. Especially during the summer the furniture with water is more problematic so many households has found a solution. Therefore equipment like deposits are present in almost 50% of households.
Electricity is also a significant factor influencing the quality of life. Whether providing power to businesses for machinery, or to homes for light, TV, or appliances, electricity is crucial to the level of human development. Endowed with the geography to generate hydroelectric power, an estimated 98% of Albanians have electricity in their homes.
Meanwhile, apart from the access to the electricity, the households face the problem of blackout which is frequent. This is the case for one household in two, independently from the zone.
The collapse of the centrally planned distribution system of firewood and heating fuel coupled with the available of household electrical appliances makes that one third of the households declare to use electricity as the main source of heating. During the worst periods, when the weather turns cold, the state electric company has dealt with the problem by rationing electricity, distributing it for a few hours there, leaving many businesses and homes in great difficulties.
This problem of blackout have obliged the household to use alternative means to be heated during the winter like kerosene and gas (see the graphs). In spite of that, according to the survey
3/4 of households in villages and small towns, the utilization of wood stove/chimney is very frequent.
Mode of heating in zones less than 10000 inhabitants
Wood
28%
Electricit y 22%
Gaz
3%
Kerosen e 1%
Mode of heating in zones m ore than 10000 inhabitants
Wood
28%
Kerosene
7%
Gaz
10%
Electricit y 55%
The number of telephones has also greatly expanded, thereby increasing communication both within localities and between them. Only 16.3 % of population has the telephone, meanwhile it is a
In 1989 the 6500 phones in existence were mostly to be found in state offices, institutions or enterprises with only a few private persons. Incremental improvement in telecommunications was noticed as the number of telephones per 100 inhabitants increased from 1.3 per100 in 1994, to 8 per
100 in 1998, still a far cry from the other countries. But in 1995 a mobile telecommunication network covering some main cities of Albania was designed too.
But the contrary is in small towns and in villages where there is a huge lack of telephones. A big difference exists also concerning the possession of the telephone, which is 10 times higher in the zones with more than 10000 inhabitants, in comparison with the other zone.
There is no way to measure the effect better phone communication has on everything from business dealings and medical emergencies to family bonding and civic organization, but access to telephone communication is an important indicator of human development and a factor influencing a sense of well being.
An interesting phenomena is the enormous number of modern cars that many households in
Albania dispose, in comparison with the living conditions in which these people lives. Not rarely there are households whose have u big lack of necessary things of living as commode beds,
6
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000

Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme watching machine electric stove etc, but on the other hand their own private car which they use for their own private matters. Such a contradictory fact and data makes difficulties for the analyze and for a clear idea about the real situation of many households, specially in rural area.
6. In Search of a Better Standard of Living
After 1990, changes in the population structure have brought about two types of internal migration a) migration from rural areas (villages) into urban areas (cities) and b) from small towns to larger cities, especially Tirana.
The sudden change in Albania’s political structure during the early 1990’s brought about rapid social and economic changes. Many people abandoned villages hoping to find job in the cities. This phenomenon become more noticeable from year to year, and was accompanied by large movements of people from the rural north and south to the largest cities of Albania, Tirana and
Durres. Population growth in the main industrial areas is to be expected in a society which, up to
1990, was predominately rural (64%).
However, the sudden urbanization of the last seven years has been associated with significant problems. Widespread migration and the redistribution of the population brought about changes in the structure of the employable population, affecting the balance of the labor market. This in turn encouraged increasing unemployment. At the same time, internal migration repopulated urban areas and, in some cases, overpopulated some regions. The latter was accompanied by great social and economic changes.
For example, the city of Tirana has grown 30% since 1990, while the infrastructure needed to support this growth has not changed at all. This is a disproportion between the booming population growth in main cities and the slow pace of infrastructure development. While it appears quite natural, this phenomenon represents a serious challenge for Albania.
Urbanization and overpopulation are the primary challenges local governments are facing today. As long as the government and local authorities do not work to improve the infrastructure and integrate the newcomers, the overpopulation issue will persist, continuing to present grave social problems for the affected populations, especially in Tirana.
7. Human Development Concept
Albania arrived at its current transitional stage after a long period of isolation under a regime that was particularly totalitarian, under which the peoples’ development was emphasized in theory, but seldom realized. While society was centrally planned, and all efforts were carried out in the name of the peoples’ interests, in reality any human development was completely random and opportunities for achieving it were negligible.
The state that began to emerge in Albania was fashioned after western democratic models as in the other post-communist countries of eastern and central Europe, which placed the human being at the center of development.
In Albania too, conscious choice took priority over random elements. But the indicators of human development cannot all be emphasized simultaneously within a state‘s development policy.
Therefore one or a few indicators generally will be stressed, while others receive less attention.
What is more important is a) to avoid randomness in policy making and b) to select consciously indicators based upon the knowledge gained by careful study of the country’s developmental needs.
Following this approach, education and information are the primary elements of human development in Albania, even if the prevailing economic conditions impose hardships on the family
‘s income and the state’s budget. It is true that resources invested in education “disappear” and that such investments are long-term and do not bring immediate economic results. But we must not forget that today’s “bad citizens” are nothing more than yesterday poorly educated children.
7
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000

Statistique, Développement et Droits de l‘Homme
An important steps toward improving the ratio of selected, purposeful choice to randomness in Albania’s human development would be a) to draft a national development program, and b) the inclusion of a long-term visions of needs and initiatives for conscious human development in the years to come.
This could create opportunities for universal selection or choices that would rise above their interests of the current generation. These choices would also take precedence over the political processes and debates of the day, which should themselves facilitate the implementation of this comprehensive developmental strategy and increase the effectiveness of its initiatives.
REFERENCES
INSTAT-Preliminary results of Living Conditions Survey
INSTAT - Albania in figures (1998)
Human security in South-East Europe (1998)
UNDP - Albanian Human Development Report (1995, 1996, 1998)
8
Montreux, 4.
– 8. 9. 2000