World · permanent entity record · AL

Albania

Thirty-second orientation

Albania at a glance

Capital: Tirana (Tirane); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 2,349,580; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 28,748 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Albanian(s); adjective: Albanian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: 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% (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Albania through time

1955-12-14
Admitted to the United Nations
Albania became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	2,349,580World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 2,551,837 (2025 est.) male: 1,229,151 female: 1,322,686CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $30.5 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $12,998; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 79.8 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 58.9%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 100.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 85.9%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Tirana (Tirane); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 28,748 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 2,349,580; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: leke (ALL); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: 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% (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Albanian(s); adjective: Albanian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1955-12-14; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Europe.”
Coastline: 362 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi (a Sufi order) 2.1%, other 5.7%, unspecified 16.2% (2011 est.) note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: red, black; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: black double-headed eagle; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) · 9,068 ft (2,764 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Adriatic Sea · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: After declaring independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, Albania experienced a period of political upheaval that led to a short-lived monarchy, which ended in 1939 when Italy conquered the country. Germany then occupied Albania in 1943, and communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960) and then with China (until 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. Government-endorsed pyramid schemes in 1997 led to economic collapse and civil disorder, which only ended when UN peacekeeping troops intervened. In 1999, some 450,000 ethnic Albanians fled from Kosovo to Albania to escape the war with the Serbs. Albania joined NATO in 2009 and became an official candidate for EU membership in 2014.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography19 fields

Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 28,748 sq km land: 27,398 sq km water: 1,350 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 691 km border countries (4): Greece 212 km; Kosovo 112 km; North Macedonia 181 km; Montenegro 186 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 362 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 708 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower, arable land; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 38.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 21.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 13.4% (2023 est.) forest: 34.3% (2023 est.) other: 27.5% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 1,907 sq km (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): fresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Montenegro) - 400 sq km note - largest lake in the Balkans; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society36 fields

Population: total: 2,551,837 (2025 est.) male: 1,229,151 female: 1,322,686; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Romani, Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic and cultural affiliation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: 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% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Libri i fakteve boterore, burimi i pazevendesueshem per informacione elementare (Albanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi (a Sufi order) 2.1%, other 5.7%, unspecified 16.2% (2011 est.) note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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% (2024 est.) (male 215,252/female 253,597); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 49 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 24.1 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 24.9 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 4 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 37.9 years (2025 est.) male: 34.8 years female: 37.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: -1.06% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 8.71 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -11.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 64.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 520,000 TIRANA (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at 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 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.6 years (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 7 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.9 years (2024 est.) male: 77.3 years female: 82.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.09 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.52 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 95.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 94.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 95.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 4.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 5.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 4.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 7.3% of GDP (2021) 9.2% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 1.88 physicians/1,000 population (2020); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.7% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 4.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 21.4% (2025 est.) male: 37% (2025 est.) female: 6.2% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.5% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 65.7% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1.4% (2018) women married by age 18: 11.8% (2018) men married by age 18: 1.2% (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 3.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 10.9% national budget (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 97.7% (2023 est.) male: 98.2% (2023 est.) female: 97.2% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years (2023 est.) male: 14 years (2023 est.) female: 15 years (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents; air pollution from industrial and power plants; loss of biodiversity; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 38.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 21.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 13.4% (2023 est.) forest: 34.3% (2023 est.) other: 27.5% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 64.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.392 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 566,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.734 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 93,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 16.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.087 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20.5% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 221 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 11 million cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 565 million cubic meters (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 30.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government24 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania etymology: name may be derived from the pre-Celtic word alb, meaning "hill," or from the Indo-European root word albh, meaning "white;" the local name "Shqiperia" is derived from the Albanian word shqiponje ("eagle") and is popularly interpreted to mean "Land of the Eagles"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Tirana (Tirane) geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: the name "Tirana" first appears in a 1418 Venetian document; the origin of the name is unclear; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane (Tirana), Vlore; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system except in the northern rural areas where customary law known as the "Code of Leke" is still present; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by the Assembly 21 October 1998, adopted by referendum 22 November 1998, promulgated 28 November 1998 amendment process: proposed by at least one-fifth of the Assembly membership; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required only if approved by two-thirds of the Assembly; amendments approved by referendum effective upon declaration by the president of the republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Albania dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Bajram BEGAJ (since 24 July 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Edi RAMA (since 10 September 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by the Assembly election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by the Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); a candidate needs three-fifths majority vote of the Assembly in 1 of 3 rounds or a simple majority in 2 additional rounds to become president; prime minister appointed by the president on the proposal of the majority party or coalition of parties in the Assembly most recent election date: held in 4 rounds on 16, 23, and 30 May and 4 June 2022 election results: 2022: Bajram BEGAJ elected president in the fourth round; Assembly vote - 78-4, opposition parties boycotted 2017: Ilir META elected president in the fourth round; Assembly vote - 87-2 expected date of next election: 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Albanian Parliament legislative structure: unicameral chamber name: Parliament (Kuvendi) number of seats: 140 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 5/11/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Socialist Party of Albania (PS) (83); Democratic Party - Alliance for a Greater Albania (PD-ASHM) (50); Other (7) percentage of women in chamber: 35% expected date of next election: May 2029; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 19 judges, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the chairman) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Judicial Council with the consent of the president to serve single 9-year terms; Supreme Court chairman is elected for a single 3-year term by the court members; appointments of Constitutional Court judges are rotated among the president, Parliament, and Supreme Court from a list of pre-qualified candidates (each institution selects 3 judges), to serve single 9-year terms; candidates are pre-qualified by a randomly selected body of experienced judges and prosecutors; Constitutional Court chairman is elected by the court members for a single, renewable 3-year term subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized courts: Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, Appeals Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (responsible for corruption, organized crime, and crimes of high officials); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Alliance for Change (electoral coalition led by PD) Democratic Party or PD Party for Justice, Integration and Unity or PDIU (part of the Alliance for Change) Social Democratic Party or PSD Freedom Party of Albania or PL (formerly the Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI) Socialist Party or PS; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ervin BUSHATI (since 15 September 2023) chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 email address and website: embassy.washington@mfa.gov.al http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/usa/en consulate(s) general: New York; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Nancy VANHORN (since August 2024) embassy: Rruga Stavro Vinjau, No. 14, Tirana mailing address: 9510 Tirana Place, Washington DC 20521-9510 telephone: [355] 4 2247-285 FAX: [355] 4 2232-222 email address and website: ACSTirana@state.gov https://al.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO note: Albania is an EU candidate country and must complete accession criteria before being granted full membership; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912), also known as Flag Day; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center meaning: Albanians traditionally see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as "Shqiptare," which translates as "sons of the eagle" history: the design is said to originate with 15th-century Albanian hero Georgi Kastrioti SKANDERBEG, who led a successful uprising against the Ottoman Turks; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): black double-headed eagle; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): red, black; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National coat of arms: adopted in 1998 and features the national symbol, the double-headed black eagle, in the national colors of red and black; red represents the courage and strength of the Albanian people, and the golden border represents the country’s wealth; the helmet above the eagle is modeled on the helmet of Skanderbeg, a 15th-century Albanian military hero who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire; the goat on top of the helmet represents defiance and resistance; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag) lyrics/music: Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU history: adopted 1912; only the first two stanzas of the original poem are used, with the second stanza as a chorus; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (2 cultural, 1 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Butrint (c); Historic Berat and Gjirokastër (c); Primeval Beech Forests (n); Lake Ohrid Region (m); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy31 fields

Economic overview: upper-middle-income Balkan economy; EU accession candidate; growth bolstered by tourism, agriculture, mining, construction, and private consumption; fiscal consolidation through revenue collection and tax compliance enhancements to address public debt; challenges include weak governance, corruption, and high emigration rates; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $51.36 billion (2024 est.) $49.403 billion (2023 est.) $47.532 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 4% (2024 est.) 3.9% (2023 est.) 4.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $18,900 (2024 est.) $18,000 (2023 est.) $17,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $27.178 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2024 est.) 4.8% (2023 est.) 6.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 15.5% (2024 est.) industry: 22.4% (2024 est.) services: 48.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 70.2% (2023 est.) government consumption: 12% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -1.1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.7% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.8% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: milk, maize, tomatoes, watermelons, potatoes, wheat, grapes, onions, cucumbers/gherkins, olives (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: food; footwear, apparel and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: -0.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 1.37 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 10.3% (2024 est.) 10.2% (2023 est.) 10.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 25.1% (2024 est.) male: 23.9% (2024 est.) female: 26.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 22% (2020 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 29.4 (2020 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% (2020 est.) highest 10%: 22.8% (2020 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 8.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 8.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.2% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $6.636 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $6.966 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 81.9% of GDP (2021 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 17.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$646.107 million (2024 est.) -$281.7 million (2023 est.) -$1.117 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $9.848 billion (2024 est.) $9.099 billion (2023 est.) $7.057 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Italy 41%, Greece 10%, Germany 5%, Spain 5%, Serbia 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: garments, footwear, electricity, crude petroleum, iron alloys (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $11.697 billion (2024 est.) $10.374 billion (2023 est.) $9.016 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: Italy 22%, China 11%, Turkey 9%, Germany 7%, Greece 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, garments, packaged medicine, iron bars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.516 billion (2024 est.) $6.455 billion (2023 est.) $5.266 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $5.363 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: leke (ALL) per US dollar - 93.123 (2024 est.) 100.645 (2023 est.) 113.042 (2022 est.) 103.52 (2021 est.) 108.65 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.857 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 7.49 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 2.2 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 1.922 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.238 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 96.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: production: 473,000 metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 255,000 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 345,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 180,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 522 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 14,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 21,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: production: 49.977 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 49.977 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 5.692 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 27.407 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 165,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2.49 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 89 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: over 65 TV stations, including several that broadcast nationally and are sometimes available to neighboring countries; many viewers have access to Italian and Greek TV via terrestrial reception; TV stations have begun a government-mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcast; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 78 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2024); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .al; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 83% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 632,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation6 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ZA; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 3 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 9 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 424 km (2017) 2021-All the trains in the country suspended; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 69 (2023) by type: general cargo 46, oil tanker 1, other 22; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Durres, Shengjin, Vlores; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: Republic of Albania Armed Forces (Forcat e Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë (FARSH); aka Albanian Armed Forces (AAF)): Land Forces, Naval Force (includes Coast Guard), Air Forces Ministry of Interior: Guard of the Republic, State Police (includes the Border and Migration Police) (2025) note: the State Police are primarily responsible for internal security, including counterterrorism, while the Guard of the Republic protects senior state officials, foreign dignitaries, and certain state properties; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2025 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 7,500 active-duty military personnel (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military is in the process of modernizing by replacing its inventory of Soviet-era weapons with NATO standard armaments; in recent years, acquisitions have included equipment from France, Israel, Italy, Turkey and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription abolished 2010 (2025) note: as of 2024, women comprised about 15% of the military's full-time personnel; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military deployments: 250 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF) are responsible for defending the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territory, assisting with internal security, providing disaster and humanitarian relief, and participating in international peacekeeping missions; the AAF is a small, lightly armed force that has been undergoing a modernization effort to improve its ability to fulfill NATO missions; the AAF has contributed small numbers of forces to several NATO missions since Albania joined NATO in 2009, including peacekeeping/stability missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Iraq, and multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria and Latvia; it has also contributed to EU and UN missions (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 9,381 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 2,203 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

Albania at a glance

Albania through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile