Arsim Ejupi

Abstract

Migration in the Presheva Valley is an integral part of the past and present, affected by social and historical processes, which also have demographic, social, economic and cultural consequences. The Presheva Valley, similar to other territories of the former Yugoslavia, is distinguished by low economic development and this phenomenon has been present through decades. As such, the Presheva Valley is traditionally a migrant area. Backwardness in economic and infrastructural development causes many problems of a social and economic nature, while permanent growth of the absolute and relative number of people is manifested by an increase in the number of the agricultural population, fragmentation of agricultural land, etc. All these circumstances force the population to migrate and find work in European countries. The aim of the research is to identify factors which stimulate migration, to analyze the period, causes and directions of migration, the negative effects of migration as well as benefits for the migrant’s homeland. The study offers an overview of current migration trends and it could serve as a good basis for regional policymakers in the field of migration with the final goal of interrupting the regressive social and demographic processes and accelerate economic development.

Keywords: Presheva Valley, population, migration, labor force, Europe

Arsim Ejupi [arsim.ejupi@uni-pr.edu], Department of Geography, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences University of Prishtina George Bush”, street, n.n., 10 000, Prishtina: Kosovo