Construction in Tirana reached a record in 2022, but the population increase was at a historical minimum

The capital has turned into a construction site in recent years. Since 2017, the area of ​​construction permits has increased significantly, peaking in 2022 at 1.8 million square meters, which is the highest historical level since the 90s.

In addition to the increased demand from foreigners and immigrants, buying for investment reasons, interest from young couples, one of the biggest potentials was the increase in population every year in Tirana. From 2012 to 2018, INSTAT data show that the population of Tirana increased by an average of 20,000 people per year.

But, since 2019, the population increase in Tirana has decreased significantly, as the capital has not escaped the trend of immigration and the gradual aging of the population. In 2019-2020, the capital had 11 thousand more inhabitants, a figure that was halved in the following years.

In 2022, (according to the latest figures of INSTAT, which reported the population of January 2023), the population in the capital increased by only 5.75 thousand people, which is the lowest historical increase, at least since 2011, when INSTAT reports the data.

INSTAT reported that the population of Albania in 2022 has recorded the highest decline in three years, since the pandemic period, shrinking by 1.1%, or 31.8 thousand people less.

On January 1, 2023, Tirana occupies about 33.5% of the total population, continuing to be one of the most populated counties in the country, followed by Durrës and Fieri with 10.5% and 9.8% respectively.

Despite the slowdown, the capital remains the only one that is seeing annual population growth.

According to INSTAT, population calculations on January 1, 2023 show that only one region of the country recorded an increase in population, compared to the previous year, while the other eleven regions recorded a decrease in population. The increase was noted in Tirana (+ 0.6%).

The construction momentum is expected to continue in Tirana

Despite the decline in population, construction in the capital is expected to continue.

Vitet e fundit, zëri kryesor i të ardhurave të Bashkisë është “Taksa e ndikimit në infrastrukturë nga ndërtimet e reja”, të cilës i nënshtrohen të gjitha subjektet, që kërkojnë të pajisen me leje zhvillimore dhe leje ndërtimi për objekte banimi, administrative, prodhimi, shërbimi e tjera.

Nga dhënia e lejeve të ndërtimit bashkia arkëton rreth një të tretën e të ardhurave që ajo mbledh në total nga taksat dhe tarifat.

Bazuar në projektbuxhetin e bashkisë për vitin 2013, ky vrull pritet të vijojë. Në vitin 2023, nga ky zë Bashkia parashikon të arkëtojë 5.6 miliardë lekë të ardhura, që përbën 34% të totalit të të ardhurave të veta të Bashkisë, duke e bërë institucionin menaxhues të kryeqytetit tepër të varur nga lejet e ndërtimit, për sigurimin e të ardhurave të veta.

Compared to the forecast for 2022, (which was 4.8 billion ALL), about 16% more revenue is expected to be collected from this item, while the actual expectation for 2022 is 6.5 billion ALL, an indication that this year the Municipality has granted permission beyond the expectations.

Even in 2024 and 2025, the momentum of construction is expected to continue, as the Municipality anticipates about 6.2 billion ALL in income for each year. Monitor