Country Profile: Albania

Albania is a southeastern European country located along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, sharing borders with Greece, Montenegro, and Kosovo. With a population of approximately 3.1 million, the nation has transitioned from a history of communism to a multiparty democracy since the early 1990s. Economically, Albania is classified as an upper-middle-income country, with key sectors including tourism, agriculture, and mining. Challenges persist with governance and emigration, as the country continues to seek EU membership.

Geography

Albania features a diverse topography of mountains, hills, and a modest coastline of 362 km, contributing to its strategic position along the Strait of Otranto. The climate is characterized by mild temperatures with distinct seasons, providing fertile land suitable for agriculture.

• 28,748 sq km: Total area of Albania, slightly smaller than Maryland.
• 41.4%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2022).
• 2,764 m: Highest point, Maja e Korabit.
• 362 km: Length of Albania's coastline.
• 691 km: Total land boundaries shared with neighboring countries.

People and Society

Albania's population is composed primarily of ethnic Albanians (82.6%), with significant minority groups. The country enjoys a relatively high literacy rate of 98.8%. Urbanization is growing, with over 64% of the population living in urban areas, reflecting ongoing demographic changes.

• 3,107,100: Estimated population in 2024.
• 36.3 years: Median age of the population.
• 1.55 children/woman: Total fertility rate (2024).
• 79.9 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
• 64.6%: Urban population percentage (2023).

Economy

Albania's economy is bolstered by sectors like tourism, agriculture, and mining, contributing to a projected GDP of $51.36 billion in 2024. Although the country faces challenges such as corruption and emigration, efforts are being made to consolidate fiscal policies and attract foreign investment.

• $51.36 billion: Real GDP (PPP) estimated for 2024.
• 4%: Projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
• 10.3%: Unemployment rate (2024).
• 22%: Population living below the poverty line (2020 est.).
• 15.5%: Contribution of agriculture to the GDP (2024).

Government

Albania is a parliamentary republic, with a President serving as the chief of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The legal framework is rooted in civil law, and the country has a history of political change and reform since the fall of communism.

• Bajram BEGAJ: Current President since July 2022.
• Edi RAMA: Prime Minister since September 2013.
• 140: Seats in the unicameral Albanian Parliament.
• 18 years: Minimum voting age for suffrage.

Military and Security

The Albanian Armed Forces are small and primarily focused on national defense, participating in NATO missions since joining in 2009. Military expenditures have seen gradual increases, reflecting ongoing modernization efforts.

• 2%: Estimated military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024).
• 7,000: Total active-duty personnel in the Armed Forces (2024).
• 18-27 years: Voluntary military service age.
• 15%: Percentage of women in the military's full-time personnel.

Energy

Albania's energy sector is predominantly reliant on hydropower, which accounts for nearly all of its electricity generation capacity. The country aims for full electrification with ongoing investments in renewable energy sources.

• 100%: Total population with electricity access (2022).
• 2.857 million kW: Total installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
• 7.49 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).
• 96.7%: Hydroelectricity's share of the total installed capacity (2023).

Environment

Albania faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The country is committed to several international environmental agreements in efforts to mitigate these issues.

• 41.4%: Agricultural land usage (2022).
• 28.8%: Forest cover (2022).
• 30.2 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2020).
• 3.392 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023).

Transportation

Albania has been developing its transportation infrastructure, which includes a mix of road, air, and maritime routes essential for trade and travel. The lack of modern railway service due to a suspension in 2021 remains a challenge.

• 424 km: Total length of railways (as of 2017).
• 3: Major airports in the country (2025).
• 69: Number of merchant marine vessels (2023).
• 3: Total number of ports (2024).

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Albania has witnessed significant growth, with a high percentage of internet penetration and mobile subscriptions, indicating an evolving digital landscape.

• 83%: Internet user penetration rate (2023).
• 2.61 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
• 173,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).
• 632,000: Total broadband fixed subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	3,107,100	Estimated for 2024
Area	28,748 sq km	Total area of the country
GDP	$51.36 billion	Real GDP (PPP) estimated for 2024
Unemployment rate	10.3%	Estimated for 2024
Energy consumption	27.407 million Btu/person	Per capita energy consumption (2023)
Life expectancy	79.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Urban population	64.6%	Percentage of total population (2023)
Total fertility rate	1.55 children/woman	Estimated for 2024
Military expenditures	2% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Literacy rate	98.8%	Estimated for 2017