Demographics of Albania explained

Place:Albania
Size Of Population:2,402,113 (2023 census)[1]
Nation:Albanian
Major Ethnic:Albanian (91.0%)
Minor Ethnic:Greek (0.98%)
Official:Albanian
Age 0-14 Years:17.6%
Age 65 Years:13.03%
Growth:0.22%
Birth:9.7 births/1,000 population (2021)
Death:10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2021)
Net Migration:-3.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Sr At Birth:1.07 male(s)/female
Sr Under 15:1.1 male(s)/female
Sr 65 Years Over:0.66 male(s)/female
Total Mf Ratio:0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant Mortality:10.82 deaths/1,000 live births
Fertility:1.32 children born/woman (2021 est.)[2]

Demographic features of the population of Albania include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects. The demography of Albania is monitored by the Institute of Statistics of Albania. The institute has performed demographic censuses since the 1920s.[3] The latest census in Albania was performed in September 2023.[4]

Albania is a fairly ethnically and linguistically homogeneous country, with ethnic Albanians forming 91% of the total population in the country. The total population residing in Albania on september 2023 was 2,402,113 according to the most recent INSTAT census.

The first official population statistic for Albania was the 1923 census, when the country had a total of 823,000 inhabitants. Previous censuses were carried out by the Ottoman Empire, which are not yet available. A shift in administrative borders in 1913 make comparison of various periods more complicated. Maddison from 2001, estimates that in Albania about 200,000 people lived up to the year 1600, and that the population grew to 300,000 by 1700, implying an annual average growth rate of 0.4% in that period. However, population growth accelerated from the declaration of independence in 1912 to 1944 to 0.7% per year. This was due in part because Albania had the largest birth rate and the smallest death rate in Europe at the time.[5] After the second World War, population increase policies pursued by the communist government and a large life expectancy fuelled a 2.5% annual increase for the following 45 years. The growth strained economic resources during communism in a Malthusian fashion that led to the collapse of the regime and the emigration of about 20 to 25 percent of the population in the following two decades. Albania experienced a demographic transition starting from 1960s, when crude birth rates began a slow decline, despite a government policy that called for a population increase. After the 1990s, the population showed an average decline of about 0.3% per year, caused by emigration. In the 2001 Census, the population declined to 3,023,000 from almost 3,300,000 million in 1990.

The permanent population of Albania at the 2023 census had decreased of 420,000 people compared to the 2011 census. The population density in 2023 was 84 inhabitants per square kilometre. The overall life expectancy in Albania at birth was 78 years in 2011.[6] In 2011, for the first time in the history of population censuses in Albania, the population in urban areas (53.7%) was larger than the population of rural areas (46.3%).[7] The Albanian language is the official language, but minority languages are officially used in some local government units. Albanian is declared as the native language by 98.76% of the population. The Albanian people are considered one of the most polyglot people in Europe.[8] They generally speak more than two languages, which are mainly French, Greek, Italian, and English, which are increasing due to migration return, and new Greek and Italian communities in the country. The main religions of Albania are Islam (50.67%), Christianity (16%) of which Roman Catholicism (8.38%), Eastern Orthodoxy (7.22%) and Evangelicism (0.4%), other religions (0.15%), Believers without denomination (13.83%) and Atheists (3.55%) according to the 2023 census. There were also those who prefered not to answer (10.17%),

The main ethnic groups in Albania are Albanians (91%), Greeks (1%), Egyptians (0.5%), Romani people (0.4%), Bulgarians (0.3%), as well as Bosniaks, Aromanians, Macedonians, Serbs and Montenegrins.

Albania has a high Human Development Index of 0.764, ranking 75th in the world in 2016.[9] In 2016, Albania had a total population of 2,786,026, 1,361,326 being males and 1,424,700 females. 42,922 inhabitants have left Albania and in the same year the number of immigrants in the country was 25,846.[10]

Albanian demographics are difficult to ascertain and verify due to political corruption at the local and central level as noted by the Council of Europe.[11]

Population

With an estimated population of 2.40 million in 2023, Albania ranks 143rd in the world by population. The population density is 101 inhabitants per square kilometre.[12] The overall life expectancy in Albania at birth is 78 years.[13] The total fertility rate of 1.70 children per mother is one of the lowest in the world. In 2016, the population of Albania was about 2.89 million, comprising 1,447 million male and 1,443 female persons.[14] There were 38,003 live births and 20,737 deaths in Albania. The natural increase of the population was positive, as the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 17,266. Due to external migration and low birth rate, the population declined by 18,307. The total dependency ratio of population in Albania is 46.8%.

In 2001, the number of households amounted to 726,895.[15] The age structure was under 6 years by 10.8% and 65 years and older by 7.5%. However, the sex ratio amounted to 49.9% males and 50.1% females of the total population. Furthermore, 2,737,614 of the population was older than 6 years. In 2011, the total population was 2,831,741.[16] The comparison of the figures shows that the population has decreased by 7.7% in about ten years. Large scale emigration and fertility decline are supposed to be the main causes of the observed population decrease. A preliminary estimate of the number of persons that refused to participate in the census is 29,355 (1.04%). This figure is based on the number of dwellings for which a refusal was recorded and is included in the total population. The total population is composed of 1,421,810 males (50.2%) and 1,409,931 females (49.8%). For the first time in the history of population censuses in the nation, the population in urban areas is larger than the population of rural areas. According to 2011 census preliminary results, 53.7 percent of the population lives in urban areas and 46.3 percent in rural areas.

The 2011 census is regarded as unreliable and inaccurate by the Council of Europe, showing incompatibility with the protection of national minorities.[17] Also, the World Council of Churches sent letters to the United Nations Human Rights Council regarding the matter, having conducted their own questionnaire which showed major irregularities.[18] It was the first census to include ethnicity, was struck by controversy since according to article 20 of the Census law, there is a $1,000 fine for anyone who declares anything other than what was written down on the individual's birth certificate.[19] Some of the minorities, mainly the Greeks, boycotted the census.[20] The religious affiliation of the population was 56.7% Muslims, 13.79% undeclared, 10.03% Catholics, 6.75% Orthodox believers, 5.49% other, 2.5% Atheists, 2.09% Bektashis and 0.14% other Christians.[21]

According to the Institute of Statistics INSTAT, the population in 2016 was 2,886,026. Tirana County is the area with the highest population of 811,649 in the country. Fier County remains the population with the second highest population with a total of 312,488. The Counties with the lowest result are Gjirokastër, Kukës and Dibër respectively with 70,331, 84,035 and 134,153 inhabitants.[22] About 53.4% of Albania's population live in cities. The three largest counties account for half of the population.Almost 53.4% of the population of Albania living in cities. According to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the three largest counties account for half of the population. Over 1 million people live in Tirana and Durrës, making it the largest urban area in Albania.[23] The area of the capital Tirana, is one of largest cities in the Balkan Peninsula and ranks 7th with a population about 800,000.[24] The second largest is the port city of Durrës, with a population of 201.110, followed by Vlorë, the largest city in southern Albania, with 141.513 inhabitants. The Institute of Statistics forecast that the population may even increase by less than a fifth from 763.560 by 2011 to 909.252by 2031, depending on the actual birth rate and the level of net migration.[25]

Population censuses in 1923–2023

DateTotal
population[26] [27]
Change (%)MalesFemalesPopulation
density
Urban
population
1923803,959
19301,003,097
19401,084,159+8.1
19451,122,044+3.5%570,361551,68339
19501,218,943+8.6%625,935593,0084220.5%
19551,391,499+14.1%713,316678,1834827.5%
19601,626,315+16.9%835,294791,0215730.9%
19692,068,200+27.2%7231.5%
19792,590,600+25.3%1,337,4001,253,2009033.5%
19893,182,417+22.9%1,638,1001,544,30011135.5%
20013,069,275-3.6%1,530,4431,538,83210742.1%
20112,831,741-7.7%1,421,8101,409,9319953.7%
20232,402,113-14.8%1,190,4481,211,66584

Population by Qark/County

Historical population by Qark/County in Albania (INSTAT)[28] [29] ! Qark/County !! 1989 population !! 2001 population !! 2018 population !! Change (1989-2018) !! Change in % (1989-2018)
Berat 222,901 193,020 127,431 -95,470 -43%
Dibër 226,324 189,854 120,978 -105,346 -47%
Durrës 218,530 245,179 289,628 + 71,098+33%
Elbasan 357,497 362,736 278,547 -78,950 -22%
Fier 379,342 382,544 298,144 -81,198 -21%
Gjirokastër 155,998 112,831 62,952 - 93,046 -60%
Korçë 311,448 265,182 210,178 -101,270 -33%
Kukës146,081 111,393 77,394 -68,687 -47%
Lezhë 165,254 159,182 126,800 -38,464-23%
Shkodër 285,258 256,473 204,994 -80,264 -28%
Tiranë 449,228 597,899883,996 +434,768 +97%
Vlorë 264,556 192,982 189,282 -75,274 -28%

Total fertility rate by counties

2018 data[30]
CountyTFR
Albania1.37
Berat1.42
Dibër2.14
Durrës1.44
Elbasan1.60
Fier1.31
Gjirokastër1.30
Korçë1.10
Kukës2.10
Lezhë1.63
Shkodër1.32
Tiranë1.29
Vlorë1.00

Vital statistics

Before WWII

After WWII

[31] [32] [33] [34]

Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)[35]

Average populationLive birthsDeathsNatural changeCrude birth rate (per 1000)Crude death rate (per 1000)Natural change (per 1000)Total fertility rateFemale fertile population (15–49 years)
19501,215,20047,29117,21530,07638.914.224.76.07259,472
19511,242,00047,81318,86228,95138.515.223.36.01266,954
19521,270,00044,72719,82624,90135.215.619.65.47274,437
19531,302,00053,27317,82235,45140.913.727.26.34281,919
19541,340,00054,63517,56037,07540.813.127.76.33289,402
19551,379,00061,30020,75040,55044.515.029.46.93296,885
19561,421,00059,56516,37043,19541.911.530.46.46304,367
19571,462,00057,24117,24140,00039.211.827.46.06311,850
19581,507,00063,00714,05948,94841.89.332.56.51319,332
19591,556,00065,21315,30549,90841.99.832.16.59326,815
19601,608,80069,68616,77552,91143.310.432.96.85334,297
19611,659,80068,45215,44553,00741.29.331.96.57344,907
19621,711,31967,20918,36348,84639.310.728.56.27355,516
19631,762,62168,96717,64651,32139.110.029.16.26366,125
19641,814,13568,59915,81152,78837.88.729.16.06376,734
19651,864,79165,69216,73148,96135.29.026.35.65387,343
19661,914,57365,12716,46948,65834.08.625.45.32397,952
19671,965,59869,26116,56552,69635.28.426.85.53408,561
19682,022,27271,86916,21455,65535.58.027.55.60419,170
19692,081,69573,45815,62457,83435.37.527.85.60429,779
19702,135,47969,50719,77449,73332.59.323.35.16440,388
19712,187,85372,78417,76855,01633.38.125.15.20459,327
19722,243,12673,60717,61655,99132.87.925.05.06478,267
19732,296,75269,75418,03251,72230.47.922.54.62497,206
19742,350,12471,86217,72654,13630.67.523.04.59516,145
19752,404,83170,68817,39953,28929.47.222.24.23535,084
19762,458,52670,51017,02953,48128.76.921.84.08554,024
19772,513,54673,43916,63856,80129.26.622.64.12572,963
19782,566,26670,59416,21954,37527.56.321.23.84591,902
19792,617,83272,05517,42154,63427.56.720.93.80610,841
19802,671,99770,68016,98153,69926.56.420.13.62629,780
19812,726,05672,18018,00154,17926.56.619.93.63642,352
19822,784,27877,23216,52160,71127.75.921.83.80655,703
19832,843,96073,76217,41656,34625.96.119.83.24692,188
19842,904,42979,17716,61862,55927.35.721.53.41706,499
19852,964,76277,53517,17960,35626.25.820.43.26721,315
19863,022,63576,43517,36959,06625.35.719.53.11735,739
19873,083,60579,69617,11962,57725.85.620.33.16751,181
19883,142,33680,24117,02763,21425.55.420.13.03774,599
19893,211,96478,85218,16860,68424.55.718.92.96770,154
19903,266,79082,12518,19363,93225.15.619.63.03800,572
19913,247,03977,36117,74359,61823.85.518.42.90799,394
19923,227,28775,42518,02657,39923.45.617.82.86798,216
19933,207,53667,73017,92049,81021.15.615.52.61797,041
19943,187,78472,17918,34253,83722.65.816.92.82795,863
19953,168,03372,08118,06054,02122.85.717.12.87794,685
19963,148,28168,35817,60050,75821.75.616.12.77793,510
19973,128,53061,73918,23743,50219.75.813.92.55792,333
19983,108,77860,13918,25041,88919.35.913.52.53791,156
19993,089,02757,94816,72041,22818.85.413.32.49789,977
20003,060,17351,24216,42134,82116.75.411.42.25788,801
20013,060,16953,20519,01334,19217.46.211.22.31790,295
20023,051,00642,52719,18723,34013.96.37.61.90788,952
20033,039,61245,31321,29424,01914.97.07.92.06787,972
20043,026,93340,98920,26920,72013.56.76.81.86785,321
20053,011,48238,89820,43018,46812.96.86.11.79781,678
20062,992,54235,89120,85215,03912.07.05.01.67777,045
20072,970,01134,44820,88613,56211.67.04.61.62771,134
20082,947,31133,44520,74912,69611.37.04.31.58762,943
20092,927,51534,11420,42813,68611.77.04.71.63753,608
20102,913,01834,06120,10713,95411.76.94.81.63744,637
20112,905,18534,28520,01214,27311.86.94.91.65736,059
20122,900,38935,47320,87014,60312.27.25.01.70727,028
20132,895,08235,75020,44215,30812.37.15.31.73716,210
20142,889,09535,76020,65615,10412.47.15.21.74705,993
20152,880,69432,71522,41810,29711.47.83.61.59697,931
20162,876,09231,73321,38810,34511.07.43.61.54693,111
2017[36] 2,873,45830,86922,2328,63710.77.73.01.48692,680
2018[37] 2,866,37628,93421,8047,13010.17.62.51.37691,302
2019[38] 2,854,19128,56121,9376,62410.07.72.31.36683,995
2020[39] 2,837,84828,07527,6054709.99.70.21.34675,482
2021[40] 2,811,66627,21130,507-3,2969.710.9-1.21.32665,823
20222,777,68924,68823,9986908.98.60.21.21653,699
20232,402,11323,61721,2862,3319.88.91.01.62510,223

Current vital statistics

[41]

PeriodLive birthsDeathsNatural increase
January - June 202310,61610,507+109
January - June 202410,32510,551-226
Difference -291 (-2.74%) +44 (+0.42%) -335

Structure of the population

Age GroupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total1 409 9821 419 7592 829 741100
0–473 97469 572143 5465.07
5–981 70880 005161 7135.71
10–1483 04179 066162 1075.73
15–1996 56692 509189 0756.68
20–24109 136109 651218 7877.73
25–29117 857117 340235 1978.31
30–34108 99599 057208 0527.35
35–3991 04885 911176 9596.25
40–4478 99980 415159 4145.63
45–4981 59487 253168 8475.97
50–5490 32997 106187 4356.62
55–5997 462101 163198 6257.02
60–6492 12496 329188 4536.66
65-6972 19677 028149 2245.27
70-7454 14858 382112 5303.98
75-7940 99544 35985 3543.02
80-8427 17630 98258 1582.06
85+12 63413 63126 2650.93
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent
0–14238 723228 643467 36616.52
15–64964 110966 7341 930 84468.23
65+207 149224 382431 53115.25

Marriages and divorces

Ethnic groups

Albania is inhabited mostly by Albanians. In the 2011 official census, 97.8% of those who disclosed their identity were Albanians (82.58% overall), while 2.3% stated other ethnicities (1.9% overall).[42] Albania recognizes nine national minorities. These include Aromanians, Balkan Egyptians, Greeks, Bulgarians, Bosniaks, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Serbs, and Roma.[43] As conducting a satisfactory census of ethnic minorities is one of the country's commitments to the European Union, the Government of Albania conducted an official census to clarify the ethnic composition of the population in 2011. However this census was deemed unreliable by internal and external organisations, including the Council of Europe and many of Albania's ethnic minority groups.[11] The last census to include data on ethnic minorities was conducted in 1989.[44] The census conducted in 2001 did not collect information about ethnic groups and nationalities in the population.

Since the 21st century, Albania has also witness a significant settlement of foreign expats into the country, such as Italians, Chinese, Turks, Bengalis, Americans, Portuguese[45] and other foreign workers. In 2021 there were as many as 15,000 foreigners living in Albania (0.5% of the population).[46]

Albania also houses 3,200 Afghan refugees and over 3,800 Ukrainian refugees.[47] [48] [49]

Population of Albania according to ethnic group 1945–2011
Ethnic groupCensus 1945 Census 1950 Census 1955 Census 1960 Census 1979Census 1989[50] Census 20111Census 2023[51]
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
Albanians1,075,50095.91,186,100 97.3 1,349,10097.01,581,74597.32,535,91397.93,117,60198.0 2,312,35682.58 2,186,917 91.04%
Greeks26,5352.429,0002.435,3452.540,0002.549,3071.958,758[52] 1.8 24,2430.87 23,485 0.98
Balkan Egyptians- - - - - - - - - - - - 3,3680.1212,3750.52
Romani- - - - - - - - - - - - 8,3010.309,8130.41
Bulgarians2- - - - - - - - - - - - - -7,0570.29
Bosniaks- - - - - - - - - - - - - -2,9630.12
Aromanians- - - - - - - - - - 782[53] - 8,2660.302,4590.10
Macedonians14,4001.32,2730.23,3410.24,2350.34,0970.24,697[54] 0.155,5120.202,2810.09
Serbs–Montenegrins- - 1,5700.13,7130.33000.01,2830.0100[55] 0.003660.011,09530.05
Other- - - - - - - - 5,6000.51,2610.04 2,6440.115,71040.24
Did not declare ethnicity - - - - - - - - - - - - 435,08215.613,5070.56
Data borrowed from administrative sources- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 At the 2011 census a total of 390,938 (14% of the total population) did not declare their nationality, while another 44,144 (1.6%) considered the nationality as 'not relevant'. The census is regarded unreliable and inaccurate by the Council of Europe. Vlachs (Aromanians) live in the south of the country,[56] whereas Montenegrins and Serbs live in the north.[57] Macedonians mostly live in Mala Prespa and the regions along the Macedonian border, known as 'Golo Brdo' and 'Gora'.
2 The Bulgarian minority was only recognised in 2017,[58] after decades-long blockade by former Yugoslavia and following a 2016 recommendation by the European Parliament that the rights of people of Bulgarian ethnicity in the Prespa, Gollobordë, and Gora regions should be respected.[59]
3 Includes 584 Serbs and 511 Montenegrins.
4 Includes 3,798 people declaring "Other ethnic identity", 770 people declaring "Mixed ethnic identity" and 1,142 people declaring "No ethnic identity".

Religion

See main article: Religion in Albania.

Population of Albania according to religious group 1923–2023
Religion groupCensus 1923Census 1927[60] Census 1942[61] Census 2011[62] Census 2023[63]
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
558,00068.5563,72967.6599,91254.21,587,60856.71,101,71845.86
Bektashism163,81114.758,6282.09115,6444.81
Muslim558,00068.5563,72967.6763.72368,91.646.23658,791.217.36250.67
Roman Catholic Christian85,00010.588,73910.6113,89110.3280,92110.0201,5308.38
Orthodox Christian171,00020.5181,05121.7229,08020.7188,9926.75173,6457.22
Evangelical5,6160.29,6580.4
Christian256,00031269.79032.3342.97131475.52916.77384.83316
Atheists69,9952.585,3113.55
Believers without denomination153,6305.49332,15513.82
Non-religious223,6258.0417,46617.37
Not stated / other990.011560.01454,04616.2382,45215.91
TOTAL814,000100833,6131001,106,8501002,800,1381002,402,113100

According to the 2023 census, there were 1,101,718 (45.86%) Muslims (mostly Sunni Muslims and Non-denominational Muslims) 201,530 (8.38%) Catholics, 173,645 (7.22%) Eastern Orthodox, 115,644 (4.81%) Bektashi Muslims, 9,658 (0.4%) Evangelicals, 3 670 (0.15%) of other religions, 332,155 (13.82%) believers without denomination, 85,311 (3.55%) Atheists and 378,782 (15.76%) did not provide an answer.[64]

The Constitution of Albania extends freedom of religion to all citizens and the government generally respects this right in practice. It declares no official religion and provides for equality of all religions. However, the predominant religious communities enjoy a greater degree of official recognition and social status based on their historical presence in the country. All registered religious groups have the right to hold bank accounts and to own property and buildings. Religious freedoms have in large part been secured by the generally amicable relationship among religions. The Ministry of Education has the right to approve the curricula of religious schools to ensure their compliance with national education standards while the State Committee on Cults oversees implementation. There are also 68 vocational training centers administered by religious communities.

Government policy and practice contributed to the generally free exercise of religion. The government is secular and the Ministry of Education asserts that public schools in the country are secular and that the law prohibits ideological and religious indoctrination. Religion is not taught in public schools.

Language

See main article: Albanian language and Languages of Albania.

The Albanian language is the official language of Albania. It has two distinct dialects, Tosk, spoken in the south, and Gheg, spoken in the north. The Shkumbin river is the rough dividing line between the two dialects. The language is spoken primarily in Greece, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Centuries-old communities speaking Albanian-based dialects can be found scattered in Greece (Arvanites), Southern Italy, Sicily and Calabria (Arbëreshë) and in Ukraine. However, due to the large Albanian diaspora, the total number of speakers is much higher than the native speakers in Southern Europe. The four dialects include Tosk Albanian, Gheg Albanian, Arbëresh and Arvanitika.

Foreign languages spoken generally include one - or more - amongst the following: English, French, Greek, Italian. Language knowledge is increasing due to returning migrants, as well as new Greek and Italian communities in the country. In particular, Italian is widely spoken throughout Albania. La Francophonie states that 30,000 French speakers can be found in Albania.[65] Greek, the language of the Greek minority of the south, is also very widespread in that region. Nowadays, knowledge of English is growing very rapidly, especially among the youth.

The ethnic minorities languages include Aromanian, Serbian, Macedonian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Gorani, and Roma. Greek is the largest minority language of the country as well as the first largest foreign language. Approximately 5,000 Macedonian language-speakers can be found in Albania. Most of these living in the southeastern part of the country.

Education

See main article: Education in Albania.

Literacy in the country is 98.7 percent.[66] The school life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) of Albania is 16 years. The nation ranks 25th out of 167 countries in the world.[67] In 2015, the overall literacy rate in Albania was 98.7%; the male literacy rate was 99.2% and female literacy rate was 98.3%.

Education for primary (arsimi fillor), secondary (arsimi i mesëm), and tertiary (arsimi universitar) levels are mostly supported by the state. Classes start in September or October and end in June or July.[68] Albanian is the primary language of instruction in all public schools.[69] Education takes place in three stages: primary, secondary, and pre-university. Primary education is obligatory from grade 1 to 9. Students must pass the graduation exams at the end of the 9th grade in order to continue their education. After primary school, the general education is provided at the secondary schools. Students get prepared for the Matura examination, allowing them to obtain their matura diploma, which grants admission to higher education. The country follows the Bologna model in accordance with the 2007 Law on 'Higher Education'.[70] These institutions can be public or private, and may offer one, two or three levels of higher education depending on the institution.

Health

See main article: Health in Albania. Albania has a universal health care system. In 2000, Albania had the world's 55th best healthcare performance.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Albania ranks around the 40th in the world in terms of life expectancy.[71] [72] Compared to other Western countries, Albania has a low rate of obesity.[73]

PeriodLife expectancy inYearsPeriodLife expectancy inYears
1938[74] 38.01980–198570.7
1950–195555.31985–199071.9
1955–196059.31990–199571.7
1960–196564.91995–200073.0
1965–197066.22000–200574.8
1970–197567.72005–201075.7
1975–198069.72010–201577.7
Source: UN World Population Prospects[75]

Diaspora

See main article: Albanian diaspora.

Albanians have established communities in many regions throughout southern Europe. The modern Albanian diaspora was formed largely in the 15th century, when many Albanians emigrated to southern Italy, especially in Sicily and Calabria also to Greece, to escape either various socio-political difficulties and the Ottoman conquest. Other destinations include the US, Canada, Argentina, and Turkey.

Over the last twenty years, Albania has experienced major demographic changes, having the highest population growth in Europe following the collapse of communism in the country.[76] Albania has also shifted to population decline since the changes. However, during the final days of the transition from communism to capitalism in 1990, over a million Albanians moved to foreign countries. These include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Nordic countries, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. About 440,000 of them settled in Greece, where Albanians make up 60% of immigrants.[77] 350,000 Albanians have migrated to Italy over the 1990s to 2000s, however the number has increased substantially.[78] The situation in Kosovo is similar. More than a million Albanians have left Kosovo permanently since the late 1980s, not counting those fleeing the Kosovo War who have subsequently returned.[79] Important destinations for Albanians emigrating from Kosovo have been Switzerland and Germany.[80]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Instituti i Statistikës (INSTAT) . Population and Housing Census 2023.
  2. http://www.instat.gov.al/media/9544/demographic-indicators-q4-2020.pdf
  3. Web site: Background. instat.gov.al. en. The first statistical office was opened in 1924. It used to work out economic data on the Ministry of Public Affairs and Agriculture.. 11 July 2017. 14 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170714002854/http://www.instat.gov.al/en/about-us.aspx. live.
  4. Web site: Instituti i Statistikës (INSTAT) . Population and Housing Census 2023.
  5. Web site: Albania - history - geography. Britannica.com. 2 October 2017. 16 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141016172135/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12472/Albania/42622/Demographic-trends/. live.
  6. Web site: Dendësia e Popullsisë Population Density. instat.gov.al. 21. en. Population Densitiy; number of persons per km2. 3 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924035400/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/155863/instat_paraprake.pdf. 24 September 2015. dead.
  7. Web site: POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS IN ALBANIA. instat.gov.al. 16. en. For the first time in the history of population censuses in Albania, the population in urban areas is larger than the population of rural areas. According to 2011 census preliminary results, 53.7% of the population lives in urban areas and 46.3% in rural areas.. 3 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924035400/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/155863/instat_paraprake.pdf. 24 September 2015. dead.
  8. Book: Gloyer, Gillian. Albania: the Bradt travel guide. 2008. Bradt Travel Guides. Chalfont St. Peter. 9781841622460. 3rd. 44.
  9. Web site: Human Development Report 2016. hdr.undp.org. 237. en. 3 July 2017. 18 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200518002124/http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2016_human_development_report.pdf. live.
  10. Web site: Population of Albania. instat.gov.al. Tirana. en. 19 February 2016. 2 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171015202133/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322941/press_release_population_of_albania_1_january_2016.pdf. 15 October 2017. dead.
  11. Web site: Ministers' Deputies. 18 November 2020. 23 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210723213405/https://rm.coe.int/09000016805cb496. live.
  12. Web site: Population of Albania. instat.gov.al. 1. en. The population of Albania on January 1st is 2,886,026 inhabitants, compared to the population of 2015 there is a decrease of 6,276 inhabitants. The population of Albania consists of 1,461,326 males and 1,424,700 females. The sex ratio of this population is 102.6 males for 100 females. The median age of the population of Albania on January the 1st 2015 is 34.7 years.. 2 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171015202133/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322941/press_release_population_of_albania_1_january_2016.pdf. 15 October 2017. dead.
  13. Web site: Life expectancy at birth (years) 2000-2015. gamapserver.who.int. en. 30 June 2017. 6 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141206093205/http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/mbd/life_expectancy/atlas.html. dead.
  14. Web site: Demographics of Albania 2016. countrymeters.info. en. 30 June 2017. 30 June 2017. 28 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628004715/http://countrymeters.info/en/Albania. live.
  15. http://www.instat.gov.al/repoba/english/default_english.htm Albania: 2001 population census
  16. Web site: Archived copy . 2012-06-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120112022139/http://census.al/Resources/Data/Census2011/Instat_print%20.pdf . 12 January 2012.
  17. Web site: 4 June 2012. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES - Third Opinion on Albania adopted on 23 November 2011. Council of Europe. 17 February 2021. 19 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119153437/https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168008c633. live.
  18. Web site: Letter of concern at the Albania Census 2011. 6 May 2013. World Council of Churches. 23 July 2015. 24 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324220000/http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/messages-and-letters/letter-of-concern-at-the-albania-census-2011/@@download/file/Letter%20to%20Biefeldt_Albania%20census.pdf. dead.
  19. Web site: Macedonians and Greeks Join Forces against Albanian Census. balkanchronicle. 24 September 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120112095639/http://www.balkanchronicle.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1364%3Amacedonians-and-greeks-join-forces-against-albanian-census&catid=83%3Abalkans&Itemid=460. 12 January 2012.
  20. Book: Cesari, Jocelyne. The Oxford Handbook of European Islam. 30 October 2014. OUP Oxford. 9780191026409.
  21. Web site: Albanian census 2011. Instat.gov.al. 3 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114073838/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/177354/main_results__population_and_housing_census_2011.pdf. 14 November 2014. dead.
  22. Web site: Popullsia e Shqipërisë. instat.gov.al. 1 January 2016. 1. sq. Qarqet me popullsinë më të ulët në vend janë Gjirokastra, Kukësi dhe Dibra, respektivisht me nga 70.331, 84.035 dhe 134.153 banorë.. https://web.archive.org/web/20160412123357/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322938/pop_1_janar_2016.pdf. 12 April 2016. dead.
  23. Web site: Popullsia e Shqipërisë. instat.gov.al. 1 January 2016. 1. sq. Qarku Qarku me popullsinë më të lartë në Shqipëri mbetet Tirana me 811.649 (28,1%) banorë, e ndjekur nga Fieri me 312.488 (10,8%) dhe Elbasani me 298.913 (10,4%) banorë. https://web.archive.org/web/20160412123357/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322938/pop_1_janar_2016.pdf. 12 April 2016. dead.
  24. Web site: Population – INSTAT. Instat.gov.al. 3 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20130316054551/http://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/population.aspx. 16 March 2013. dead.
  25. Web site: Population projections at Prefecture level. instat.gov.al. 45. en. The number of inhabitants in Tirana prefecture is forecasted to increase by less than a fifth from 763,560 in 2011 to 909,252 in 2031, according to the low internal migration scenario which also assumes a redirection of migrants to other centres of Albania.. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160313200757/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/242039/population_projections_2011-2031.pdf. 13 March 2016. dead.
  26. B.R. Mitchell. European historical statistics, 1750-1975.
  27. Web site: United Nations Statistics Division - Demographic and Social Statistics. unstats.un.org. 2 October 2017. 27 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161227194033/http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2.htm#2001. live.
  28. Web site: MIGRATION IN ALBANIA. 14. 12 February 2018. 9 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009155701/http://catalog.ihsn.org/index.php/catalog/243/download/29619. live.
  29. Web site: Treguesit Demografikë dhe Socialë. 12 February 2018. 12 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053030/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/195814/3__durres.pdf#tab2. 4 March 2016. dead.
  30. Web site: Vjetari statistikor rajonal 2018 . www.instat.gov.al/ . INSTAT . 30 . 25 December 2022 . 25 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225210210/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6558/vsr-alb.pdf . live .
  31. Web site: PxWeb - Select table. databaza.instat.gov.al. 28 May 2020. 6 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806080230/http://databaza.instat.gov.al/pxweb/en/DST/?rxid=3cfe4331-c533-45c1-9058-21a69916c4d1. live.
  32. Web site: Statistical Yearbook of Albania, 1991. 14 March 2020. 14 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191114232435/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/6230/vjetari-statistikor-i-shqiperise-1991_.pdf. live.
  33. Web site: Books | Instat. 9 January 2020. 9 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200109064546/http://instat.gov.al/en/publications/books/. live.
  34. Web site: Database - Eurostat. ec.europa.eu. 28 May 2020. 24 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190724115253/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database. live.
  35. Web site: Home | Instat. 29 April 2013. 15 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190515104201/http://instat.gov.al/en/. live.
  36. Web site: Demographic indicators, Q4 - 2017. 18 February 2021. 22 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522113825/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/3774/demographic-indicators-q4-2017.pdf. live.
  37. Web site: Demographic indicators, Q4 - 2018. 18 February 2021. 22 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522113720/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/5150/demographic-indicator-q4-2018.pdf. live.
  38. Web site: Demographic indicators, Q4 - 2019. 14 March 2020. 25 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025113013/http://instat.gov.al/media/6678/demographic-indicators-q4-2019.pdf. live.
  39. Web site: Demographic indicators, Q4 - 2020. 18 February 2021. 11 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210311203325/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/8018/demographic-indicators-q4-2020_final.pdf. live.
  40. Web site: Demographic indicators, Q4 - 2021. 11 February 2022. 10 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221110132624/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/9544/demographic-indicators-q4-2020.pdf. live.
  41. Web site: Births, deaths and marriages | Instat. 15 May 2018. 3 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503035339/http://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/demography-and-social-indicators/births-deaths-and-marriages/#tab3. live.
  42. Web site: Population and Housing Census 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20200826201945/https://www.instat.gov.al/media/3058/main_results__population_and_housing_census_2011.pdf. dead. 2020-08-26.
  43. Web site: Minority Rights and the Republic of Albania: Missing the Implementation. lup.lub.lu.se. 11. en. 3 July 2017. 27 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127200651/https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=1555225&fileOId=1563588. live.
  44. Web site: 2.3 Specific information on minorities. lup.lub.lu.se. en. According to the data from 1989 Population and Housing Census. 3 July 2017. 27 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127200651/https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=1555225&fileOId=1563588. live.
  45. Web site: Observatório da Emigração . 2023-07-18 . observatorioemigracao.pt . pt . 18 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718135216/https://observatorioemigracao.pt/np4/paises.html?id=6 . live .
  46. Web site: Foreigners with residence permits by country of origin by Country of origin, Type and Year . 2023-07-18 . PxWeb . en . 18 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718135209/http://databaza.instat.gov.al/pxweb/en/DST/START__MM/MIM6/ . live .
  47. Web site: 2022-07-13 . Sunny Refuge: Ukrainian Refugees Find 'Second Home' on Albanian Seaside . 2022-12-01 . Balkan Insight . en-US . 1 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221201050317/https://balkaninsight.com/2022/07/13/sunny-refuge-ukrainian-refugees-find-second-home-on-albanian-seaside/ . live .
  48. Web site: Ukrainian refugees by country 2023 . 2023-07-18 . Statista . en . 29 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129000802/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1312584/ukrainian-refugees-by-country/ . live .
  49. Web site: 2023-06-18 . After escaping the Taliban, hundreds of Afghans languish in Albania in a prolonged U.S. visa process . 2023-07-18 . POLITICO . en . 18 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718135215/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/18/escaping-taliban-afghans-languish-albania-visa-process-00102533 . live .
  50. Web site: Ethnic composition. pop-stat.mashke.org. en. 23 February 2013. 12 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512155054/http://pop-stat.mashke.org/albania-ethnic1989.htm. live.
  51. Web site: Albania Population and Housing Census 2023. Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). 28 June 2024. Albanian. 75.
  52. Web site: 2.3 Specific information on minorities. lup.lub.lu.se. 17. en. According to the data from 1989 Population and Housing Census33 the number of this population was 58.758 inhabitants or in other terms 90.6 percent of completely ethnic minorities' population.. 3 July 2017. 27 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127200651/https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=1555225&fileOId=1563588. live.
  53. Web site: 2.3.5.4 The number of Aromanian minority population. lup.lub.lu.se. en. While in 1989 registration, the number of Aromanians living in Albania was reported to be of 782 inhabitants.. 3 July 2017. 27 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127200651/https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=1555225&fileOId=1563588. live.
  54. Web site: 2.3.2.4 The number of Macedonian minority population. lup.lub.lu.se. en. The population census of 1945 revealed 3.431 inhabitants of Macedonian ethnicity. The census of 1960 revealed 4.235 inhabitants and that of 1989 revealed 4.697 inhabitants39.. 3 July 2017. 27 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127200651/https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=1555225&fileOId=1563588. live.
  55. Web site: 2.3.3.4 The number of Serbian-Montenegrin minority population. lup.lub.lu.se. en. The statistical data on the number of this minority people were not defined specifically and accurately in the census of 1960, but according to the census of 1989, the number of Serbian-Montenegrin is 100 inhabitants.. 3 July 2017. 27 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127200651/https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=1555225&fileOId=1563588. live.
  56. Web site: NL22_2: Map of Albania. Society Farsharotu. 2 October 2017. 4 August 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070804125622/http://www.farsarotul.org/nl22_2.htm. live.
  57. Web site: Regional variation in marriage patterns in Albania at the beginning of the 20th century. Siegfried. Gruber. Gewi.kfunigraz.ac.at. 2 October 2017. 24 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071224221613/http://www-gewi.kfunigraz.ac.at/suedost/seiner/marriage_patterns.html. live.
  58. Web site: Albania has Recognized the Bulgarian Minority in the Country. Novinite.com. 18 October 2017.
  59. Web site: ДОКЛАД относно доклада на Комисията от 2016 г. относно Албания - A8-0023/2017. Europarl.europa.eu. 18 October 2017. bg.
  60. Web site: Religious composition of Albania 1927 . 2023-06-23 . pop-stat.mashke.org . 23 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230623131210/http://pop-stat.mashke.org/alb-historic/1927-albania-religion-dist.htm . live .
  61. Web site: Historic population statistics of Albania . 2023-06-23 . pop-stat.mashke.org . 16 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211016170942/http://pop-stat.mashke.org/alb-historic/ . live .
  62. Web site: 1.1.14 Resident population by religious affiliation by Religious affiliation, Type and Year . 2023-06-23 . PxWeb . en . 13 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230413152505/http://databaza.instat.gov.al/pxweb/en/DST/START__Census2011/Census1114/ . live .
  63. https://shqiptarja.com/uploads/ckeditor/667eb96647c4bcens-2023.pdf Census 2023
  64. Web site: Instituti i Statistikës (INSTAT) . Population and Housing Census 2023.
  65. Web site: Albanie - Portail de l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) . 2024-08-19 . Organisation internationale de la Francophonie . fr.
  66. Web site: Albania: Literacy rate, ages 15 and above, total (%). factfish.com. 1 June 2017. 23 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170423072323/http://www.factfish.com/statistic-country/albania/literacy%20rate%2C%20ages%2015%20and%20above%2C%20total. live.
  67. Web site: SCHOOL LIFE EXPECTANCY. world.bymap.org. en. 31 January 2017. 1 June 2017. 6 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170606045915/http://world.bymap.org/SchoolLifeExpectancy.html. live.
  68. Web site: The Albanian education system described and compared with the Dutch system. nuffic.nl. 5. en. The academic year runs from October to June. Education is compulsory for children aged between six and fifteen.. 3 July 2017. 14 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171014102822/https://www.nuffic.nl/en/publications/find-a-publication/education-system-albania.pdf. dead.
  69. Web site: The Albanian education system described and compared with the Dutch system. nuffic.nl. 5. en. The language of education is Albanian.. 3 July 2017. 14 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171014102822/https://www.nuffic.nl/en/publications/find-a-publication/education-system-albania.pdf. dead.
  70. Web site: The Albanian education system described and compared with the Dutch system. nuffic.nl. 6. en. In principle, Albania follows the Bologna model in accordance with the 2007 Law on Higher Education (and supplements from 2010).. 3 July 2017. 14 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171014102822/https://www.nuffic.nl/en/publications/find-a-publication/education-system-albania.pdf. dead.
  71. Web site: Albania. who.int. en. 4 October 2020. 8 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200908231118/https://www.who.int/countries/alb/en/. live.
  72. Web site: LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH. https://web.archive.org/web/20090809212333/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Albania&countryCode=al&regionCode=eu&rank=51#al. dead. 9 August 2009. CIA – The World Factbook.
  73. Web site: The World Is Getting Fatter and No One Knows How to Stop It. bloomberg.com. en. 6 April 2016. 6 July 2017. 18 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418021056/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2016-global-obesity/. live.
  74. Arjan. Gjonça. 1998. Mortality Transition in Albania. ProQuest LLC. 221. 2 January 2020. 2 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200102192836/http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/2870/1/U615819.pdf. live.
  75. Web site: World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations. 2017-07-15. 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919061238/https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/DataQuery/. live.
  76. Web site: Total Fertility Rates in selected European countries. instat.gov.al. 6. en. Albania's fertility no longer the highest in Europe. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170207225134/http://www.instat.gov.al/media/239393/population_and_population_changes_in_albania_b.d.b1.pdf. 7 February 2017. dead.
  77. http://www.migrantsingreece.org/transpartner/Tables.pdf Data on immigrants in Greece, from Census 2001
  78. Istituto nazionale di statistica: La popolazione straniera residente in Italia
  79. Web site: KOSOVO ENDE der GEDULD. de. Seit dem Abschluß des Rückführungsabkommens zwischen Bonn und Belgrad im Oktober 1996 kehrten jedoch erst rund 5000 Albaner zurück. Das Abkommen sieht vor, daß innerhalb von drei Jahren 135 000 Albaner die Bundesrepublik verlassen müssen.. 2 June 2017. 16 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416182441/https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/kosovo-ende-der-geduld_aid_169033.html. dead.
  80. 150,000 Albanians resided in Switzerland as of 2000 (1.5-2.0% of the total population of Switzerland). Eidgenössiche Volkszählung 2000: Sprachenlandschaft in der Schweiz