2002年-世界发展银行全球_Poverty_in_Albania___A_Qualitative_Assessment_158页_10mb

Summary of "Poverty in Albania: A Qualitative Assessment"

Core Content

This document presents a qualitative assessment of poverty in Albania, focusing on the lived experiences of Albanians rather than solely on income levels. It was conducted to support the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) by providing in-depth insights into how poverty is perceived and experienced across different regions and social groups.

Main Objectives

• To deepen the understanding of poverty by involving poor Albanians in identifying its causes, nature, and impact.
• To support the development of the GPRS and CAS.
• To inform ongoing research on formal and informal institutions in Albania.
• To identify emerging concerns that require attention in the future.

Methodology

The study was conducted across 10 sites in Albania, selected to represent:

• A mix of regions (north, northeast, central, south, southeast) and urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
• Different topographies (mountains, valleys, flat areas).
• Various types of economies and industries.
• Presence of ethnic minorities.
• Large-scale processes such as migration and trade.

The methodology included:

• A literature review.
• 43 focus groups (4 per site, plus 3 with minority representatives).
• Over 80 open-ended interviews with community members.
• Over 100 expert interviews.
• 460 household interviews.

The fieldwork was guided by the principle of evaluating poverty in relative terms, based on community members’ perceptions.

Key Findings

General Causes of Poverty since 1990

• Poverty emerged from a weak economic base, worsened by reforms, and intensified during the 1997 financial crisis.
• The legacy of the previous economic and political system and early 1990s reforms affected all 10 sites similarly.
• State-owned enterprises failed after privatization, and competitive markets and social safety nets were not yet developed.
• Divestment of agricultural land to households enabled some to produce their own food, but others received unproductive land.
• Unemployment, underemployment, and insufficient income from land have led to reliance on coping mechanisms.
• Government safety nets have been undermined by inflation, demand, and improper targeting.
• Infrastructure, healthcare, education, and public security deficiencies have exacerbated poverty and emotional stress.
• The collapse of pyramid schemes and the resulting civil crisis worsened these conditions.

Characteristics of Different Groups

The Very Poor

• Perceive poverty as not getting enough to eat, inability to buy clothes, loss of traditions, and feelings of defenselessness, hopelessness, fear, and humiliation.
• Main problems: lack of food, clothing, and poor water quality.
• Health issues have worsened since 1990.
• About 40% of respondents report that food intake has declined.
• Approximately 87% own a small two-room home; a third own about five dynyms of land (usually inherited).
• About half receive remittances, which are crucial to their welfare.

The Poor

• Perceive poverty as hopelessness, defenselessness, exclusion from social and commercial life, and inability to provide basic necessities.
• Eat more than the Very Poor, and fewer report health or psychological issues.
• Main problems: infrastructure (transportation, electricity), and lack of clothing.
• Secondary issues: poor home conditions and water shortages.
• Main causes: unemployment, low or no income, and lack of security.
• About half of the group blame unresponsive or inadequate government for their problems.
• About 86% own a small two-room home; about 40% own five dynyms of land.
• About half receive remittances, but their income from remittances is higher than the Very Poor.

The Non-Poor

• Define poverty primarily as difficulty in obtaining accurate information.
• Secondary issues: exclusion from social and commercial life, inability to continue traditions, and feelings of hopelessness and defenselessness.
• Greater material wealth than the Poor and Very Poor.
• More income from remittances due to higher remittance rates.
• Less concerned about food and clothing; more concerned about infrastructure and public security.
• Main problems: heat (short and expensive supply), and security (crime, lack of trust, psychological stress).
• Secondary problems: water quality and sanitation, and access to healthcare.
• 95% own a small two-room home; 56% own a small amount of land.

The Relatively Prosperous

• See themselves as poor only in terms of difficulty in obtaining information.
• Have little psychological stress related to food, clothing, or healthcare.
• Report good health, except for aging.
• Many own cars and major household goods such as refrigerators and televisions.
• Some have second homes.
• Few receive remittances or use informal coping mechanisms.
• Key problems: infrastructure and security.

Key Information

• Poverty is not only an economic issue but also involves feelings of exclusion, hopelessness, and defenselessness.
• Different ethnic and social groups experience poverty uniquely, with the Roma being the poorest and most vulnerable.
• Migration is a significant coping mechanism, especially for those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.
• The government has struggled to provide adequate infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security.
• The rise and collapse of pyramid schemes contributed to the 1997 civil crisis, which worsened poverty conditions.
• The study emphasizes the importance of understanding poverty from a qualitative perspective to inform effective policy-making.

Conclusion

The report concludes that poverty in Albania is multifaceted and requires a comprehensive approach to address. Policy implications include the need for better governance, improved infrastructure, and stronger social safety nets. The study also highlights the importance of involving civil society in the development of poverty reduction strategies.