Using census data on work commuting in Albania –
collected for the first time in 2011 – this study
examines the spatial adjustment processes between
demand and supply of labour across the country.
The first part focuses on the spatial adjustment of
labour forces that occur within and between
Albanian’s prefectures. Several statistical indicators,
derived using origin-destination matrices, measure
the differential levels of attraction and expulsion of
each prefecture. Results show a high level of
heterogeneity and emphasise the crucial role of
spatial contiguity among prefectures on this spatial
dynamic. The second part examines the role of the
municipality of Tirana. This is first investigated
within a three-territorial-units system (the
municipality of Tirana, rest of the prefecture and
rest of Albania) and then within the prefecture as a
closed system. Interestingly, 71.5% of all the
commuting flows directed to the Municipality
originate from municipalities located very close to
Tirana (less than 10 km). We conclude that the
spatial structure of the prefecture, reasonably
extendable to the whole country, can be defined as
monocentric. Further studies should focus on the
implied costs of this system to the society and
environment of Albania.