Quick facts
Albania population overview
Albania is the 31st most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 2,761,959 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.7% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 56 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 26,791 births (9.7 per 1,000 people) and 24,305 deaths (8.8 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 22,648 people. The infant mortality rate is 0.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,608,800 in 1960 to 2,349,580 in 2025 — a change of +46%, or +0.6% per year on average. It peaked at 3,286,542 in 1990 and has declined 16.5% since.
Demographically, the median age is 37.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years; women have on average 1.3 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16.6% of residents are under 15 and 17.6% are 65 or older (2025); 58.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Tirane. Albania covers 28,750 km², giving a population density of about 95.5 people per km². GDP was $30.54B in 2025 — about $12,998 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Albania population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,745,659 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,761,959 |
| World rank | #144 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #31 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.033% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.7% |
| Births per year est. | 26,791 |
| Deaths per year est. | 24,305 |
| Net migration per year est. | -22,648 |
| Birth rate | 9.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 0.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 37.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 80.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 58.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 28,750 km² |
| Population density | 95.5 per km² |
| Capital | Tirane |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $30.54B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $12,998 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Albania population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,745,659 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,349,580 | -27,548 | -1.2% |
| 2024 | 2,377,128 | -34,530 | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 2,411,658 | -39,978 | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 2,451,636 | -38,126 | -1.5% |
| 2021 | 2,489,762 | -38,718 | -1.5% |
| 2020 | 2,528,480 | -202,813 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 2,731,293 | -181,728 | -1.3% |
| 2010 | 2,913,021 | -98,466 | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 3,011,487 | -77,540 | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 3,089,027 | -98,757 | -0.6% |
| 1995 | 3,187,784 | -98,758 | -0.6% |
| 1990 | 3,286,542 | +321,780 | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 2,964,762 | +292,765 | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 2,671,997 | +267,166 | +2.1% |
| 1975 | 2,404,831 | +269,352 | +2.4% |
| 1970 | 2,135,479 | +270,688 | +2.7% |
| 1965 | 1,864,791 | +255,991 | +3% |
| 1960 | 1,608,800 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Albania
Population over time
- From 1,608,800 in 1960 to 2,745,659 today — up 70.7%.
- Population peaked at 3,286,542 in 1990 and is down 16.5% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -1.5% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 79.8 years (2024), up 23.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.3 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.1 births vs 8.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 1.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16.6% of the population is under 15 and 17.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 5.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 4.24 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 8.43 Mt in 1984 — down 49.7% since.
- Per person: 1.79 t in 2024, vs 2.27 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 889.4 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 9.3% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 41.9% of final energy in 2021 (+16.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 28.8% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 58.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 30.8% in 1960 (+28 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2009.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 3% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 10,972 m³ in 2022, down 32.3% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $30.54B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 166.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $12,998 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 10.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 85.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 89.1 per 100 people (2024).
Albania in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Albania in 2026?
As of October 2026, Albania has an estimated population of 2,745,659. The United Nations estimated 2,761,959 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Albania growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.7% per year — roughly 56 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 26,791 births and 24,305 deaths, with net migration of -22,648.
What is the population density of Albania?
About 95.5 people per square kilometre: 2,745,659 people living on 28,750 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Albania?
The median age is 37.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years. 16.6% of the population is under 15 and 17.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Albania rank by population?
Albania is the 144th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 31st in Europe, with 0.033% of the global population.
How has the population of Albania changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,608,800; by 2025 it had grown to 2,349,580 (+46%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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GabonSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.