Country Profile: Albania

Albania, located in Southeastern Europe, offers a rich blend of mountainous terrain and a stunning coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. With a population of approximately 3.1 million, the country is marked by a diverse ethnic landscape and a relatively high urbanization rate of 64.6%. The economy is characterized as an upper-middle-income status, fueled by sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and mining, while governance operates as a parliamentary republic. Albania, a NATO member since 2009 and an EU candidate since 2014, continues to navigate challenges in governance and economic stability.

Geography

Albania is bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the southwest, sharing land boundaries with Greece, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. The country's landscape is predominantly mountainous, with the highest point being Maja e Korabit at 2,764 meters. Albania covers a total area of 28,748 square kilometers, which is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland. The climate is mild and temperate, featuring hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

28,748 sq km - Total area.
362 km - Coastline length.
38.1% - Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023).
34.3% - Forest coverage (2023).
12 nm - Territorial sea claim.
691 km - Total land boundaries.

People and Society

Albania's population stands at approximately 3.1 million, composed majorly of ethnic Albanians (82.6%). The country has a literacy rate of 97.7% and an urban population of 64.6%, with the capital city, Tirana, being home to around 520,000 residents. The median age is approximately 36.3 years, and the population is experiencing a growth rate of 0.16%. Predominantly, the population identifies as Muslim (56.7%), with a notable presence of Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

3.1 million - Total population (2024 estimate).
64.6% - Urban population percentage (2023).
97.7% - Literacy rate (2023).
12.3 births/1,000 - Birth rate (2024 estimate).
79.9 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
10.3 deaths/1,000 - Infant mortality rate (2024 estimate).

Economy

Albania's economy is classified as upper-middle-income, with significant contributions from tourism, agriculture, and mining. The GDP in purchasing power parity is estimated at $51.36 billion for 2024, and real GDP growth is projected at 4%. While there is a strong reliance on household consumption, challenges such as corruption and governance issues persist. The unemployment rate is around 10.3%, with notable youth unemployment at 25.1%.

$51.36 billion - Projected GDP (PPP) for 2024.
10.3% - Unemployment rate (2024 estimate).
$18,900 - GDP per capita (PPP) for 2024.
22% - Population below the poverty line (2020).
8.4% - Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2024).
$9.848 billion - Exports value (2024 estimate).
$11.697 billion - Imports value (2024 estimate).

Government

Albania operates as a parliamentary republic with a legal system based on civil law. The capital, Tirana, houses the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The current president is Bajram Begaj, and the prime minister is Edi Rama. The country has made strides towards EU integration while managing internal challenges related to governance and public debt.

Parliamentary Republic - Form of government.
Bajram Begaj - President since July 2022.
Edi Rama - Prime Minister since September 2013.
140 - Seats in the unicameral parliament.
18 years - Minimum voting age.

Military and Security

Albania maintains a small, professional military force of approximately 7,500 active personnel. The country’s military expenditures are projected to be around 2% of GDP in 2025. Since joining NATO, the Albanian Armed Forces have been modernizing and transitioning from Soviet-era equipment to Western standards. The military also participates in international peacekeeping missions.

2% of GDP - Military spending (2025 estimate).
7,500 - Active-duty military personnel.
250 - Military deployments in Kosovo (2025).
18-27 years - Age for voluntary military service.
NATO member - Since 2009.

Energy

Albania has achieved a 100% electricity access rate for its population. The country primarily relies on hydroelectric power, which constitutes 96.7% of its electricity generation capacity. Total energy consumption per capita is approximately 27.407 million Btu.

100% - Electricity access (2022 estimate).
2.857 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
7.49 billion kWh - Electricity consumption (2023).
473,000 metric tons - Coal production (2023).
14,000 bbl/day - Petroleum production (2023).

Environment

Albania faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The country is a signatory to multiple international environmental agreements and implements several sustainability measures.

1.087 million tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024).
20.5% - Percentage of waste recycled (2022).
3.392 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023).
34.3% - Forest area (2023).
30.2 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2022 estimate).

Transportation

Albania's transportation infrastructure includes a network of civil aircraft, railways, and a small fleet of merchant vessels. There are three operational airports and significant maritime access through its main ports, including Durres and Shengjin.

424 km - Total railway length (2017).
3 - Airports (2025 estimate).
69 - Merchant marine vessels (2023).
3 - Total ports (2024).
9 - Heliports (2025).

Communications

Albania has a growing communications sector, with a high percentage of the population using the internet at 83%. The country offers a variety of broadcasting options and mobile cellular subscriptions.

83% - Internet users as a percentage of the population (2023).
2.61 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
632,000 - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
173,000 - Fixed telephone line subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,107,100	Estimated for 2024
Area	28,748 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$51.36 billion	Estimated for 2024
Electricity access	100%	Total population with access
Unemployment rate	10.3%	Estimated for 2024
Birth rate	12.3 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy	79.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Urban population	64.6%	Of total population (2023)
National holiday	Independence Day, 28 November	Celebrating independence since 1912
Military expenditures	2% of GDP	Estimated for 2025