Eurostat: Albania ranks fourth in Europe for deaths from air pollution

 
Although Albania does not have a developed industry on the scale of major European economies, it ranks among the countries with the most serious health consequences from air pollution. 
With 129 premature deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, the country is fourth in Europe for mortality attributable to exposure to fine PM2.5 particles, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2023.

Higher levels than Albania are recorded only in North Macedonia, with 146 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 139, and Serbia, with 132.

 
Albania's indicator is more than three times higher than the European Union average, which in 2023 was 41 premature deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

What does the indicator measure?

The Eurostat indicator measures the number of premature deaths attributable to exposure to fine particles in the air, known as PM2.5.

These particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. Due to their very small size, they can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inflammation or worsen the condition of people suffering from heart and lung diseases.

Premature deaths are those that occur before the expected age of death, calculated according to life expectancy in each country, gender and age group. The estimates are based on the methodology of the European Environment Agency.

PM2.5 is created mainly by the burning of solid fuels for heating homes, industrial activities, and transportation.

Exposure is not only related to the presence of heavy industry, but also to the heating method, fuel quality, age of vehicles, waste incineration, and geographical conditions that impede the dispersion of pollution.

The Balkans bear the heaviest burden

The data shows a strong divide between the Balkans and the northern and western parts of Europe.

After Albania comes Kosovo, with 121 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Montenegro records 89 deaths, while Croatia 75. Neighboring European Union countries also show high levels: Bulgaria has 104 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, Greece 98 and Romania 74.

At the other end of the scale are the Nordic countries. Finland records just one premature death per 100,000 inhabitants, Sweden two, Estonia three and Norway four. In Iceland the figure is zero.

Albania has a rate about 129 times higher than Finland, over six times higher than Portugal, and almost five times higher than Germany.

Why North Macedonia has the highest rate

North Macedonia leads the European ranking with 146 premature deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

According to the OECD, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in this country reached 22.3 micrograms per cubic meter in 2021, the highest level in the Western Balkans and more than four times above the World Health Organization guideline.

The main sources of pollution are the burning of lignite for energy production, industry, old and insufficiently controlled vehicles, open burning of waste, and heating of homes.

The World Bank estimates that residential heating is one of the most important sources of pollution in the Western Balkans, especially during winter. In North Macedonia and Kosovo, the residential sector generates almost half of PM2.5 emissions.

The geographical position of cities, especially Skopje, worsens the situation, as atmospheric conditions and terrain favor the accumulation of pollutants near the surface.

The EU has halved deaths, but differences remain large

In the European Union, the number of premature deaths related to PM2.5 has fallen significantly over the last two decades.

In 2005, fine particle pollution was attributed to around 423,600 premature deaths in the EU. The number fell to around 346,400 in 2007, 286,600 in 2018 and 182,400 in 2023.

Despite improvements at the European level, the gap between countries remains wide. Southeastern and Eastern European countries continue to have a much higher health burden than Nordic and Western European countries.

Target for 2030

The indicator is linked to Sustainable Development Goal SDG 11, which aims for more sustainable cities and communities, and specifically to reducing the negative environmental impact of cities, paying particular attention to air quality.

The European objective is to reduce by at least 55%, compared to 2005, the health impacts of air pollution expressed through premature deaths from PM2.5 by 2030.

The threshold set for the EU is around 190,600 deaths in 2030. With around 182,400 deaths recorded in 2023, the European Union as a whole has already fallen below the target level, but the situation varies significantly from one country to another./Monitor