Country Profile: Albania

Albania, located in Southeastern Europe along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, is bordered by Greece, Montenegro, and Kosovo. With a population of approximately 2.55 million, it has transitioned from a period of communist rule to a parliamentary republic since the early 1990s. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income, with significant contributions from tourism, agriculture, and industry, while facing challenges like corruption and emigration. Albania is a NATO member and an EU candidate, reflecting its strategic geopolitical importance.

Geography

Albania covers an area of 28,748 sq km, with its rugged terrain predominantly composed of mountains and hills. The coastline stretches 362 km along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, while it shares land borders with Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro totaling 691 km. The country has a mild temperate climate, featuring hot, dry summers and cooler, wetter winters.

Highest Point: Maja e Korabit at 2,764 m.
Total Water Area: 1,350 sq km.
Natural Resources: Includes petroleum, natural gas, and arable land.
Urbanization: About 64.6% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).

People and Society

The estimated population of Albania in 2025 is 2,551,837, with a median age of 37.9 years. The predominant ethnicity is Albanian (82.6%), with Greeks and other minority groups composing the remainder. The country is mostly Muslim (56.7%), followed by various Christian denominations. The urban population is rapidly growing, illustrating a shift in living patterns.

Literacy Rate: 97.7% (2023).
Life Expectancy: 79.9 years at birth (2024).
Population Growth Rate: -1.06% (2025).
Total Fertility Rate: 1.09 children/woman (2025).

Economy

Albania's economy is an upper-middle-income one, driven by sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and construction. The GDP (PPP) reached approximately $51.36 billion in 2024, with a growth rate of 4%. Despite improvements, challenges like corruption and high emigration persist, impacting economic stability and development.

GDP Per Capita: Approximately $18,900 (2024).
Unemployment Rate: 10.3% (2024).
Public Debt: Estimated at 81.9% of GDP (2021).
Poverty Rate: 22% below the national poverty line (2020).

Government

Albania operates as a parliamentary republic, with its capital in Tirana. The government consists of an executive headed by President Bajram BEGAJ and Prime Minister Edi RAMA, with a unicameral legislature. Citizens participate in elections held every four years, showcasing a commitment to democratic governance.

Constitution Date: 28 November 1998.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years.
Administrative Divisions: Composed of 12 counties.
Participation in International Organizations: Active in NATO and is a candidate for EU membership.

Military and Security

The Albanian Armed Forces consist of land, naval, and air components and are responsible for defending national sovereignty. Military expenditures are around 2% of GDP in 2025. The country has made efforts to modernize its military capabilities and engage in international peacekeeping missions.

Active Military Personnel: Approximately 7,500 (2025).
Military Service Age: 18-30, with voluntary service established post-2010.
Military Deployments: Around 250 personnel in Kosovo (2025).
Defense Modernization: Ongoing efforts to replace outdated military equipment.

Energy

Albania has made significant strides in achieving total electricity access, largely through renewable sources. The dominant form of energy is hydroelectricity, constituting 96.7% of installed capacity. Energy consumption is on the rise with notable challenges in distribution efficiency.

Electricity Consumption: 7.49 billion kWh (2023).
Installed Capacity: 2.857 million kW (2023).
Coal Consumption: 255,000 metric tons (2023).
Proven Oil Reserves: Estimated at 150 million barrels (2021).

Environment

Albania faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and air pollution. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.

CO2 Emissions: Estimated at 3.392 million metric tonnes (2023).
Waste Recycling Rate: 20.5% of municipal solid waste (2022).
Total Renewable Water Resources: Approximately 30.2 billion cubic meters (2022).
Total Water Withdrawal: 221 million cubic meters for municipal use (2022).

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Albania includes a limited number of airports and a merchant marine fleet. The country relies heavily on road transport for domestic mobility, with several ports facilitating maritime trade.

Airports: 3 public airports (2025).
Merchant Marine: Comprises 69 vessels (2023).
Total Railways: 424 km (last updated in 2017).
Ports: Key ports include Durres, Shengjin, and Vlore (2024).

Communications

Telecommunication in Albania has advanced, with a significant percentage of the population using mobile phones and internet services. Fixed-line subscriptions remain limited but are growing.

Internet Users: Approximately 83% of the population (2023).
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: Around 2.49 million (2024).
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 165,000 (2024).
Broadband Subscriptions: Totaling 632,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,551,837 (2025 est.)
Area	28,748 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$51.36 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	10.3% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	8.71 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	79.9 years (2024 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.09 children/woman (2025 est.)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP (2025 est.)
CO2 Emissions	3.392 million metric tonnes (2023)
Urbanization Rate	64.6% (2023)