Divorce map in 61 municipalities, the South far ahead of the North

Traditions, economic level, and urbanization fragment the divorce map in the country's municipalities.

Data from the 2023 Census on civil status reveal stark contrasts from Finiqi, with around 26 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants, to Hasi, where there are barely 3 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants. The national average was 11-12 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants, while 28 municipalities were above this average.

The graph below, compiled by "Monitor" based on Census 2023 data in 61 municipalities, shows that the divorce rate is significantly higher in the South and in tourist urban centers, while the North remains more conservative.

The data shows that the municipalities of Finiqi, Saranda, Delvina, Korça and Dropulli have the highest divorce rates per inhabitant. These municipalities resulted in 22-25 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants at the time the survey was conducted.

The high divorce rates in these municipalities are related to high migratory flows and the instability created by seasonal tourism flows.

Older immigration where families have been separated for many years has increased the probability of divorce.

On the other side of the graph, the Municipality of Has has the lowest number with only 2.9 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants, followed by the municipality of Pustec, with 4.3, and Klos, with 5.3 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants.

Traditional family culture explains the low divorce rates mainly in the Northern Municipalities.

Large municipalities such as Tirana (17.6 divorces per 1,000 inhabitants), Durrës (15.8) and Fier (15.5) have divorce rates around the national average, reflecting the dynamics of metropolitan areas with urbanization and increased participation of women in the labor market.

Divorce data by municipality highlights the need for more social services such as legal and economic support for single parents, especially in municipalities with mass emigration.

Divorce has numerous social and economic consequences. The interruption of joint income usually puts women in economic hardship.

A series of costs accompany the divorce process, from litigation to property division, creating financial instability for children. Other surveys have shown that children with divorced parents have lower academic achievement, poor concentration, and a higher risk of risky behavior in adolescence./ Monitor