The Factors of Intra-Regional Labour Mobility in the Western Balkans

Nikoloski, Dimitar (2024) The Factors of Intra-Regional Labour Mobility in the Western Balkans. In: 5th International Interdepartmental Scientific Conference of the Departments of Economic Theory and of General Economics “LESSONS FROM CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC CRISES FOR ECONOMIC THEORY AND POLICY”, 13-14 November 2024, Skopje. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The emigration from the Western Balkan region is a well-documented and long lasting phenomenon, having been present as a form of labour market adjustment for several decades. The recent developments of the regional cooperation in the Western Balkan region might have been affecting the traditional patterns of labour mobility through various channels. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the factors of intra-regional labour mobility in the Western Balkans by applying the standard theoretical framework of labour migrations. The empirical analysis of intra-regional labour mobility is based on the number of issued work permits to citizens from the Western Balkans that are obtained from the National Employment Agencies for the period 2010-2022. The results show that higher average wage and FDI in destination economies vis-à-vis origin economies represent significant attractors of workers from the region. In contrast, higher unemployment rate and Consumer Price Index in destination economies compared to origin economies negatively affect the number of issued work permits. Among the governance indicators, better regulatory quality positively affect the number of issued work permits, while the government effectiveness exerts negative impact. In this context, several policy recommendations are formulated in order to increase the regional cooperation as a mean for strengthening the labour mobility within the region.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	Scientific Fields (Frascati) > Social Sciences > Economics and Business
Divisions:	Faculty of Economics
Depositing User:	Efp Eprints
Date Deposited:	24 Mar 2026 04:40
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2026 08:32
URI:	https://eprints.uklo.edu.mk/id/eprint/11464

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