Albania is faced with a unprecedented demographic decline in the Western Balkans, as its population is decreasing at a significantly faster rate than that of the other candidate countries in the region, as shown by the latest Eurostat data.
In 2025 the country's population was approximately 2.36 million inhabitants, having lost almost in just one year 28,000 peopleThe percentage reduction, which exceeds the 1%, is the most intense in the entire Western Balkans region.
This picture differs sharply compared to the other candidate countries: in Bosnia and Herzegovina the population decline is limited, in North Macedonia almost marginal, in Serbia noticeable but lower, while in Montenegro the smallest decline is recorded. On average, these four countries show losses that do not exceed 0,3%, a percentage many times lower than that of Albania.
This discrepancy reflects the depth of the demographic pressures facing the country, with key factors being: ongoing mass migration and the dramatic drop in birthsUnlike other Balkan societies, these phenomena affect Albania with greater intensity and duration.
Particularly worrying is the shrinkage of youth population, which in recent years has accelerated the overall population decline. The decline in young people automatically leads to fewer births, creating a vicious circle of demographic weakening.
The under 30 age group has been hit hardest, mainly due to strong outflow abroadAlbania continues to be one of the countries with the highest rates of migration in Europe, as young and skilled workers leave the country in search of better wages, more stable working conditions and career prospects in European Union countries. This trend has been reinforced by the opening of European labor markets and targeted programs to attract labor, especially from countries such as Germany.
Indicative of the situation is that, according to available internal data, the population aged 15 to 29 years old —the main migration pool—has decreased by almost by half within a period of fourteen years.
At the same time, the country is recording historically low birth rates, with the index fluctuating around 1.2 children per woman, far below the level required to replenish the population. Economic insecurity, increased cost of living and the flight of one of the two partners abroad lead many couples to postpone or even abandon the prospect of starting a family.
Demographic projections for the coming years are equally ominous, as it is estimated that deaths will steadily outnumber births, creating a permanent natural population deficit, which is expected to expand further in the absence of substantial interventions.
