Albania is facing one of the most serious rural depopulation waves in its modern history, and nowhere is this more evident than in the villages of Krekez and Koritzë, located in the administrative unit of Lumas in the municipality of Kuçovë. Once home to thousands of residents, these villages are now shadows of their former selves. Streets once filled with families, children, and the rhythm of village life are today quiet and nearly deserted, occupied only by a few elderly people who have stayed behind. Large numbers of homes stand locked, abandoned, or completely deteriorated.
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| On the outskirts of Kucova |
The mass departure of young people toward emigration has also severely affected agriculture and farming, once the backbone of the local economy. These villages, which depended heavily on agriculture and livestock for income, now suffer from a lack of manpower. Fields remain untilled, olive groves unharvested, and farms neglected.
Safet Sulaj, another resident, highlights how the rural economy has collapsed. “We walk around trying to pick a few olives, but there is nothing here. The children are abroad, not only in Germany but also in Greece. If they come, they stay two or three days and leave again. There are no workers. Even my neighbor cannot find people to help with the harvest,” he explains. This shortage of labor has created a cycle where the older population cannot maintain agricultural activity, leading to further abandonment of land and homes.
For many residents, the emotional toll of seeing their village turn into a ghost town is immense. Fatime Saja, who has lived in the village her entire life, speaks about how lonely and empty the community has become. “Will the children come back here? They will not come. My daughters were born and raised abroad, and they won’t return. This place is a desert. I am old and I feel sad. This village is empty,” she says. Her words reflect the deep emotional disconnect that younger generations feel from villages they never grew up in, making return even less likely.
Perhaps one of the most striking signs of depopulation is the disappearance of weddings and family celebrations—once essential elements of Albanian rural culture. According to residents, it has been over ten years since a wedding took place in these villages. Without marriages, there are no new families, no children, and no future generation to keep the community alive.
Fatime, an elderly woman born and raised in the village, confirms this painful reality. “The boys remain unmarried. Do you know how many young men were here? They have all left because no one comes. It has been many years, more than ten, since a wedding was held. There have been none,” she says. This absence of new family life symbolizes the complete social stagnation that depopulated villages face.
Residents of Krekez and Koritzë are calling for immediate attention from Albanian institutions. They believe that without governmental support, infrastructure development, and incentives for young families to return, these villages will disappear completely within the next few years. Roads, healthcare, economic opportunities, and access to basic services are urgently needed to stop the decline and revive community life.
The depopulation crisis in Albania is not only a local tragedy but also a national threat. As entire regions lose their youth, skills, and economic potential, the country risks long-term demographic and social imbalance. Villages like Krekez and Koritzë represent the heart of Albania’s rural identity, culture, and history. Without intervention, these once vibrant communities may soon exist only in memory.
The voices of the remaining residents serve as a call for action. Their message is clear: Albania must act now to revitalize rural areas, support the elderly who remain, and create hope for future generations. Restoring life to villages like Krekez and Koritzë is not only a matter of economics—it is a mission to preserve Albania’s heritage and ensure that no community is left behind.