Absolute Poverty and Regional Disparities in Albania

Albania lies in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula. After 50 years of dictatorial government of communist system, in the early 1991 it suffered radical changes of political character which brought at the same time substantial changes in economic and social development of our country. Poverty and social exclusion as one of the important indicators of economic development level of a region, become some interesting topics of study, in purpose to provide alternative development and adapt strategies in purpose to build specific policies towards mitigating this social phenomenon that lies and developed in severe forms in some regions in Albania. Through analysis of various indicators reflected in the graphical displays and maps, in this paper we will study poverty in Albania, in its social and economic context. According to the World Bank, definition of poverty is lack of income and unemployment, hunger and malnutrition, ignorance and illiteracy, inability to be sheltered, inability to access to public and social services. In this point of view, poverty means exclusion, which will be studied through indicators that values the opportunities that have the community to acquire essential social and public services. In addition, the study of social exclusion as a result of regional disparities is especially important in the construction of local development plans in the service of sustainable development for the entire region. In this study poverty will be treated and will be examined on the basis of all its indicators (economic and social) as well as in its relative and subjective context. At the end of this study will be given a summary of recommendations in the function of mitigating this phenomenon with social impact, in service to promote sustainable development in the country after a long period of transition with fragile economic and social developments. Keywords: Poverty, Political Transition, Unemployment, Social Exclusion, Disparity Development, Malnutrition, Illiteracy Etc