Country Profile: Albania

Albania, located in Southeastern Europe, boasts a diverse geography characterized by mountainous terrain and a coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. With a population of approximately 2.55 million, it is a nation rich in cultural heritage and ethnic diversity, primarily consisting of Albanians. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income and relies heavily on sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and mining, while navigating challenges including corruption and high emigration rates. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Albania has been a candidate for EU membership since 2014 and joined NATO in 2009.

Geography

Albania is situated in the Balkans, bordered by Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north. It features a mix of mountainous landscapes and small coastal plains, with the highest point being Maja e Korabit at 2,764 meters. The country experiences a mild temperate climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers, and it is strategically located near the Strait of Otranto.

Area: 28,748 sq km, slightly smaller than Maryland.
Coastline: 362 km along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
Natural Resources: Includes petroleum, natural gas, coal, and hydropower.
Climate: Mild temperate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

People and Society

Albania's population is approximately 2.55 million (2025 est.), with a median age of 37.9 years. The demographic is predominantly Albanian (82.6%), with a mix of other ethnic groups including Greeks and Romani. The official language is Albanian, and the population exhibits a rich tapestry of religious beliefs, with Muslims comprising the majority.

Urban Population: 64.6% of the population resides in urban areas (2023).
Literacy Rate: 97.7% overall (2023).
Life Expectancy: 79.9 years (2024 est.).
Population Growth Rate: -1.06% (2025 est.).

Economy

Albania has an upper-middle-income economy with a projected GDP (PPP) of $51.36 billion for 2024. Key economic sectors include tourism, agriculture, and construction, although it faces challenges related to governance and high emigration rates. The country’s growth is bolstered by private consumption and improvements in tax collection.

GDP Growth Rate: 4% (2024 est.).
Unemployment Rate: 10.3% (2024 est.).
Public Debt: Estimated at 81.9% of GDP (2021).
Exports: Expected to reach $9.848 billion (2024 est.).

Government

Albania is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature known as the Albanian Parliament. The President is indirectly elected by the Assembly for a five-year term, while the Prime Minister is appointed by the President. The Albanian Constitution was adopted in 1998 and has undergone several amendments since.

Capital: Tirana, geographically located at 41 19 N, 19 49 E.
National Holiday: Independence Day on 28 November.
Voting Age: Universal suffrage at 18 years.
Recent Election: Held in May 2022, next expected in 2027.

Military and Security

The Albanian Armed Forces consist of Land Forces, a Naval Force, and Air Forces, with approximately 7,500 active-duty personnel. Military expenditures are projected at 2% of GDP for 2025, as Albania works to modernize its military in line with NATO standards.

Military Service Age: Voluntary military service for ages 18-30.
NATO Membership: Joined in 2009.
Military Personnel: Approximately 7,500 active-duty members (2025).
Military Deployments: 250 personnel in Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2025).

Energy

Albania's electricity access is universal, with 100% of the population connected. Hydroelectric power constitutes the vast majority of the energy generation capacity, with the country actively pursuing energy modernization.

Installed Capacity: 2.857 million kW (2023 est.).
Energy Consumption per Capita: 27.407 million Btu/person (2023 est.).
Coal Production: 473,000 metric tons (2023 est.).
Petroleum Production: 14,000 bbl/day (2023 est.).

Environment

Environmental issues in Albania include deforestation, soil erosion, and air pollution stemming from industrial activity. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at combating climate change and promoting biodiversity.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 3.392 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).
Water Resources: Total renewable water resources estimated at 30.2 billion cubic meters (2022).
Waste Recycling Rate: 20.5% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).
Irrigated Land: 1,907 sq km (2022).

Transportation

Albania's transport infrastructure includes an expanding network of roads, railways, and airports, although rail services have faced challenges in recent years. The civil aircraft registration country code is ZA, with three airports currently operating.

Airports: 3 (2025).
Railways: Total of 424 km (2017).
Merchant Marine: Comprises 69 vessels (2023).
Ports: Key ports include Durres, Shengjin, and Vlores.

Communications

Albania has a growing telecommunications sector, with a high percentage of internet usage among its population and various media outlets providing diverse content.

Internet Users: 83% of the population (2023 est.).
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 2.49 million (2024 est.).
Broadband Subscriptions: Total of 632,000 (2023 est.).
Fixed Line Subscriptions: Approximately 165,000 (2024 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,551,837	(2025 est.)
Area	28,748 sq km	Slightly smaller than Maryland
GDP (PPP)	$51.36 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	10.3%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	79.9 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	97.7%	(2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption	27.407 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	3.392 million metric tonnes	(2023 est.)
Military Expenditure	2% of GDP	(2025 est.)
Urban Population	64.6%	(2023)