Albania’s population declined at the fastest rate in the Western Balkans in 2025, shrinking two to three times more rapidly than neighboring countries, according to updated Eurostat data on candidate countries.
In 2025, Albania’s official population stood at 2,363,314, marking a net decline of approximately 27,628 people within a single year. In relative terms, this represents a population decrease of –1.2%, the highest rate in the region.
By comparison, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a decline of –0.3%, North Macedonia –0.2%, Serbia –0.6%, and Montenegro –0.1%, highlighting Albania’s exceptionally severe demographic contraction.
Demographic Trends Driven by Emigration and Falling Birth Rates
Across the other four Western Balkan candidate countries, average population decline stood at around 0.3%, while Albania’s decline was nearly four times higher, at approximately 1.1–1.2%.
According to analysts, the data underscores that demographic pressures—particularly sustained emigration and sharply declining birth rates—are affecting Albania far more intensely than its regional peers.
In recent years, population decline has accelerated, largely due to the rapid shrinking of younger age groups, which in turn is reducing the number of births year after year.
Youth Exodus Deepens Demographic Crisis
The strong contraction in the under-30 age group is primarily attributed to high emigration levels, which remain among the highest in Europe.
Young Albanians and skilled professionals continue to leave in search of higher wages, better working conditions, and more stable career opportunities in European Union countries. This trend has intensified following the liberalization of European labor markets and active recruitment schemes, particularly in countries such as Germany, which faces significant labor shortages.
Domestic data show that the population aged 15–29 declined by approximately 45% between 2011 and 2025, reflecting the scale of youth outmigration.
Record-Low Fertility Rate
Albania is also experiencing the lowest birth rate in its post-transition history, with a fertility rate of around 1.2 children per woman, well below the replacement level and among the lowest in Europe.
Many young couples are delaying family formation due to economic insecurity, high child-rearing costs, and the emigration of one or both partners.
Outlook: Worsening Natural Population Deficit
Demographers warn that over the next decade, the number of deaths is expected to exceed the number of births, creating a growing natural population deficit. Without effective policy interventions, this imbalance is likely to deepen further, posing long-term risks to Albania’s labor force, economic growth, and social systems.
