Albania
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Albania continues to exhibit the lowest levels in Europe for both completed fertility and lifetime childlessness rate, with 44.2% and 55.8% respectively in 2023. While total fertility and childlessness rates have shown slight increases and decreases year-over-year, the longer-term trend reflects notably low fertility levels and a rising maternal age that remains the youngest in Europe.
- Total fertility (TMR) declined slightly by 1.3 percentage points to 44.2%, maintaining Albania's position as having the lowest TMR in Europe.
- The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) edged up by 1.3 percentage points to 55.8%, continuing a five-year trend of increasing childlessness across the population.
- Average maternal age increased by 0.36 years to 27.35, keeping Albania as the European country with the youngest mothers on average.
- Total births dropped slightly from 23,647 to 22,739, while the average number of children per mother remained stable around 2.54.
In 2023, Albania showed the lowest fertility and maternal age rates in Europe, alongside significant declines in birth rates and societal continuity measures.
- Lowest total fertility rate in Europe (ranked 31/31)
- Lowest mean age at childbirth in Europe (ranked 31/31)
- Highest lifetime childlessness rate in Europe (ranked 31/31)
- Sharp decline in societal half-life, shortest in Europe (ranked 31/31)
- Projected 90% drop in births by 2133, ignoring migration
Key fertility indicators — Albania
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 55.8% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 33.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 16 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in Albania stands at 44.2% in 2023, showing a slight decline of 1.3 percentage points from the previous year. Over the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, the total motherhood rate has been on a downward trend, averaging 48.7%. This figure is significantly lower by approximately 17.4 percentage points compared to the average of the 2010s, which was 61.6%. On the global scale, Albania registers the lowest TMR, placing it at 38th out of 38 countries. Similarly, within Europe, it holds the lowest position at 31st out of 31 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 50.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 45.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2023 | 44.2% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2023, Albania's children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.54, showing minimal change from 2.53 in 2022. Over the last five years, there has been an upward trend with an average CPM of 2.50. Compared to the 2010s average of 2.29, the current CPM is roughly 0.25 higher, indicating a gradual increase over the decade.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.50 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 2.52 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2023 | 2.54 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in Albania reached 27.35 years in 2023, marking an increase of 0.36 years from 2022. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with a five-year average of 26.668 years. Compared to the 2010s, the average maternal age has grown by nearly 1.9 years. Albania recorded its lowest three-year average maternal age between 2014 and 2016, at about 25.06 years, while the highest three-year average occurred from 2021 to 2023 at approximately 26.95 years.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.36 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 26.99 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2023 | 27.35 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2023, Albania's Birthgap Generational Indicator stands at 45.8% (corresponding to a TFR of 1.12), showing a slight increase of 1.3 percentage points from 2022. Over the last five years, childlessness has been on the rise, with the average for 2019–2023 at 41.1%. This figure marks an increase of approximately 13.6 percentage points compared to the 2010s average of 32.2%. Albania holds the lowest TFG level both worldwide (ranked 38 out of 38) and within Europe (ranked 31 out of 31).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 38.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 44.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2023 | 45.8% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2023, Albania’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 33.2 years. It has decreased by 0.9 years compared with 2022. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 37.8 years. Compared with the 2010s average (50.2 years), SHL is now shorter by about 17.0 years.
Globally, Albania has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).Within Europe, Albania has the shortest SHL value (ranked 31/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Albania, there would be 16 great-grandchildren, representing a -84.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Albania has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38). Within Europe, Albania has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 31/31).
Birth trajectory
Projecting from the 2023 birth data, the number of total births is expected to decrease significantly over time if migration is not considered. By 2056, births would reduce by half, declining from 22,739 in 2023 to 11,370. This downward trend continues sharply, with births projected to be 75% lower by 2089 and reach a 90% decline by 2133, resulting in only 2,274 births.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Albania's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 55.8% in 2023, marking a slight increase of 1.3 percentage points from 2022. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the 2019–2023 average standing at 51.3%. When compared to the 2010s average of 38.4%, the current rate is higher by about 17.4 percentage points. Notably, Albania holds the lowest childlessness rate both globally, ranking 38th out of 38 countries, and across Europe, where it ranks 31st out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 49.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 54.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2023 | 55.8% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
In 2023, Albania recorded 22,739 total births, showing a slight decline from 2022's figure of 23,647. The trend over the last five years has been downward, with an average of 25,335 births annually. This marks a significant reduction compared to the 2010s average of 29,090 births, representing a decrease of 6,351 births or 21.8%.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.6k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 23.6k |
| 2000 | n/a | 2023 | 22.7k |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Albania's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 30.7% in 2023, marking a decrease of 2.9 percentage points from the previous year. Throughout the last five years, the BRI has been trending upward, with an average of 29.6% from 2019 to 2023. This recent level stands approximately 4.5 percentage points above the 2010s average of 26.3%. Despite this rise, Albania holds the lowest BRI measurement globally, ranking 35th out of 35 countries, as well as the lowest within Europe, positioned 30th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 33.6% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2023 | 30.7% |
Source: Eurostat.
