People and Society of Albania

Albania has a population of approximately 2.8 million people, though this figure reflects significant demographic shifts resulting from decades of emigration. Since the fall of communism in the early 1990s, an estimated 1.4 to 1.7 million Albanians have left the country, making emigration one of the most defining demographic forces in the nation's modern history. Major destination countries include Italy, Greece, Germany, and the United States. The population is relatively young, with a median age of around 36 years, though the country is aging as birth rates decline and younger generations continue to seek opportunities abroad. The total fertility rate has dropped to approximately 1.6 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1, contributing to gradual natural population decline. Albanians constitute the vast majority of the population at roughly 82–83 percent. Greeks represent the largest recognized minority, concentrated primarily in the southern regions near the Greek border, and account for approximately 1 percent of the population. The Roma and Balkan Egyptians are also present, though their numbers are difficult to verify precisely due to historical undercounting. A small Macedonian minority exists in the southeast. The official language is Albanian, which belongs to its own distinct branch of the Indo-European language family. Two main dialects are spoken: Gheg in the north and Tosk in the south, with Standard Albanian based largely on the Tosk dialect. Greek is spoken in the southern minority communities. In terms of religious identity, Islam is the most widely practiced faith, followed by roughly 57 percent of the population, a legacy of Ottoman rule. Albanian Orthodox Christians account for about 10 percent, concentrated in the south, while Roman Catholics make up approximately 10 percent, primarily in the north. Albania has a strong secular tradition and is known historically for its interreligious tolerance. Urban migration within the country has accelerated, with Tirana, the capital, growing substantially to house over 800,000 residents in its metropolitan area. Coastal cities such as Durrës and Vlorë have also expanded, while rural and mountainous interior regions have experienced population decline.

Nationality

noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian

Ethnic Groups

Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Romani, Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5%

Population

3,659,616

Population (Male / Female)

male: 1,531,063 female: 1,576,037

Population Distribution

a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country

Urban Population

urban population: 64.6% of total population rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

520,000 TIRANA (capital)

Age Structure

0-14 years: 18% (male 292,296/female 267,052) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 1,023,515/female 1,055,388) 65 years and over: 15.1% (male 215,252/female 253,597)

Median Age

total: 36.3 years male: 34.8 years female: 37.8 years

Sex Ratio at Birth

t birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female

Medical care at private hospitals and clinics in Tirana has improved in recent years but still remains below western standards. Medical facilities outside Tirana have very limited capabilities. Emergency and major medical care requiring surgery and hospital care outside Tirana are often inadequate because of a lack of medical specialists, diagnostic aids, medical supplies, and prescription drugs. There are very few ambulances in Albania; therefore, injured or seriously ill U.S. citizens may be required to take taxis or other immediately available vehicles to the nearest major hospital rather than waiting for ambulances to arrive. If you have been previously diagnosed with (a) medical condition(s), you may wish to consult your personal health care provider before travel. As some prescription drugs may not be available locally, you may also wish to bring extra supplies of required medications. Electricity shortages result in sporadic blackouts throughout the country, which can affect the food storage capabilities of restaurants and shops. While some restaurants and food stores have generators to store food properly, you should take care that food is cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of food-borne illness. Tap water is not considered potable or safe to drink. You should purchase bottled water or drinks while in-country. Air pollution is also a problem throughout Albania, particularly in Tirana. Travelers should consult their doctor prior to travel and consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on them.

Life Expectancy at Birth

total population: 79.9 years male: 77.3 years female: 82.8 years

Infant Mortality Rate

total: 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 97.3% of population rural: 96.4% of population total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: 2.7% of population rural: 3.6% of population total: 3% of population

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.1% of population

Tobacco Use

total: 22.4% male: 38.8% female: 6%

Alcohol Consumption

total: 4.4 liters of pure alcohol beer: 1.75 liters of pure alcohol wine: 1.15 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 1.43 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 15 years

• Muslim70.0%
• Albanian Orthodox20.0%
• Roman Catholic10.0%

Albanian (official - Tosk is the official dialect), Greek

Albanian 98.8% (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek 0.5%, other 0.6% (including Macedonian, Romani, Vlach, Turkish, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian), unspecified 0.1%

• Albanian
• Greek

• 

  George Castriota

  Government Leader · 1404–1468

  Albanian national hero, the Eagle on the flag is from his coat of arms. The Ottomans called him Iskander-Bey (Skanderbeg), and this was corrupted into Scanderbeg. His fater, Ivan (John) Castriota, Lord of Kroya, a principality in Albania between the mountains and the Adriatic sea sent him and his three brothers as a hostage at the Ottoman court of Sultan Murad II where he was educated in the Muslium faith. In 1443, when the Ottomans indicated they would attack Albania, Scanderbeg escaped to his homeland, abjured Islam, and formed a league of princes among the Albanian chieftains. He proclaimed himself prince of Albania. He had success in these wars partly because of the rugged Albanian terrain and partly because he employed a mobile defense force using guerrilla methods. He withstood repeated attacks and forced the sultan to conclude a 10-year truce in 1461. Scanderbeg broke the truce in 1463 when Pope Pius II called for a new crusade. After Scanderbeg’s death the league dissolved, resistance collapsed, and Albania fell to the Ottomans. Scanderbeg’s life is the source of many Albanian tales.

Crime Information

High unemployment and other economic factors encourage criminal activity. Use caution and protect your valuables in Tirana, just as you would in any major U.S. city. Violent crime aimed at U.S. citizens is rare and criminals do not appear to target U.S. citizens or other foreigners, but rather seek targets of opportunity, selecting those who appear to have anything of value. Crime statistics indicate a steady increase in violent crime has occurred throughout Albania since 2009. Organized crime is present in Albania; organized criminal activity occasionally results in violent confrontations between members of rival organizations. Pick-pocketing, theft, and other petty street crimes are widespread, particularly in areas where tourists and foreigners congregate. Pickpockets use various diversionary tactics to distract victims, and panhandlers – particularly children – may become aggressive. U.S. citizens have reported the theft of their passports and portable electronic devices by pick-pockets. Victims of pick-pocketing should report the crime to the police and cancel their credit cards as soon as possible. Exercise caution in bars and clubs in Tirana, where violent incidents, some involving the use of firearms, have occurred in the past. Vehicle theft and theft from vehicles are not uncommon in Albania. Carjacking can also occur. You should avoid leaving valuables, including cell phones and electronic items, in plain view in unattended vehicles. You should lock the windows and doors of your residence securely when it is not occupied. In the event you are a victim of carjacking, you should surrender your vehicle without resistance. Travelers should take standard safety precautions when using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Try to use ATMs located inside banks and check for any evidence of tampering with the machine before use. Be cautious when using publicly available Internet terminals, such as in Internet cafes, as sensitive personal information, account passwords, etc., may be subject to compromise. Theft of personal items from hotel rooms can also occur. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods. Doing so is illegal in both the United States and Albania.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Albania, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. For instance, it is illegal to take pictures of certain physical structures in Albania. Be alert for signage and guidance by security personnel. There are some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. If you break local laws in Albania your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. In Albania, you may be taken in for questioning if you are not carrying your passport. We encourage U.S. citizens to carry a copy of their U.S. passport with them at all times to show proof of identity and U.S. citizenship if questioned by local officials. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. Engaging in sexual conduct with children is also a crime in Albania, as is the production and distribution of child pornography. Under Albanian law, police can detain any individual for up to 10 hours without filing formal charges. Although this is not a common occurrence reported by U.S. citizens, the possibility remains. Persons violating Albanian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Albania are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.