Albania's alarming depopulation/ Drastic drop in births, over 35% in Shkodra, Korca and Dibër

Some administrative units and small municipalities will risk remaining just place names in the not-so-distant future due to the sharp decline in births, especially in the last four years.

Comparable INSTAT data show that between the first 6 months of 2021 and 2025, births have suffered a drastic decline, especially in the regions of Shkodra, Dibra and Korça.

Nationally, Dibra has recorded the largest decline between 2021 and 2025 with -38%, followed by Korça with 37% and Shkodra with 35.1%. Dibra and Shkodra have experienced strong population contraction in the last decade, also as a result of strong emigration in the last decade in these two regions.

In Tirana, births have decreased by 12.9% between 2021 and 2025. This decrease is mainly related to the continued emigration of young people and economic pressures that push couples to postpone starting a family or have fewer children.

While Tirana remains the main economic center, the high cost of living and lack of supportive infrastructure for young families have negatively impacted this trend.

Durrës, a region with an industrial and port economy, has recorded a 20.1% drop in births. The aging population and the emigration of young people are reducing the population's reproductive base.

In the Fier, Gjirokastër and Berat regions, births have fallen by 30.1%, 30.2% and 31.6% respectively, as a result of population aging and continued emigration.

In Kukës and Elbasan, the declines are 24.2% and 25.5% respectively. These regions also face high emigration and low economic levels compared to other regions, which push couples to have fewer children or to leave the region.

The Vlora region, a tourist area and with other seasonal activities, has suffered a 26.3% decline, while Lezha records a 29.8% decrease in births between 2021 and 2025.

After the pandemic, the decline in births has accelerated even further as the population base of reproductive age is increasingly narrowing.

Demographic experts emphasize that the decline in birth rates is a combination of factors such as mass emigration of young people to other countries, an aging population, high living costs, changes in cultural behaviors, and a lack of effective policies that support families.

Without urgent intervention in these areas, the negative trend is expected to deepen, jeopardizing the country's demographic stability and long-term economic development./ B.Hoxha, Monitor