Population of Albania

At the last census in 2011, Albania had a population of 2,821,997. Comparing the figures with 2001 shows that the population has declined by almost eight per cent in ten years. This is due to large-scale emigration as well as a reduced birth rate, which used to be the highest in Europe until 1990. This trend is almost certain to continue in the years to come.

Ethnically, Albania is one of the most homogeneous countries in Europe, with over 97 per cent of people declaring themselves as Albanians. The largest ethnic minority are Greeks living in the borderlands in the south and south-east of the country. In addition, Albania recognises eight ethnic or cultural minorities including the Macedonians, Montenegrins and Roma.

The population’s religious makeup was shaped by five centuries of Turkish rule. The majority (57 %) of the population today are Sunni Muslims. Catholics in Albania are around ten per cent, living mainly in the northwest of the country. The Orthodox population is concentrated in the south and southeast of the country, making up a total of seven per cent of the population. Bektashi, followers of the Sufi order close to Shiite Islam, make up two per cent of Albania’s population. A significant proportion of Albanians are non-religious, mainly as a result of atheist pressure from the communist regime before 1990.

The vast majority of Albanians are very lukewarm in their faith and the country is held up to the world as an example of harmonious coexistence of different confessions. Unlike in the surrounding Balkan countries, interconfessional conflicts are virtually non-existent in Albania.

For the first time in Albania’s history, the 2011 census showed that a larger proportion of the population (54%) lives in urban areas than in rural areas. Rural depopulation is obvious when travelling around Albania, with many houses abandoned and mainly the older generation staying in the villages. Population loss is also affecting regional towns including tourist centres such as Gjirokastër, where population has fallen by 60 per cent since 1989.

The major cities, including Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër, Fier or Vlorë, are located in the western lowland part of the country. The metropolis of Tirana and the surrounding area is estimated to have over 860,000 inhabitants, roughly one-third of the country’s population. Unlike many other Albanian cities, it is booming in size, with more and more people moving in from all parts of the country. Since 1989, it has experienced almost 100% population growth.