Albania
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Albania's demographic trends continue a pattern of low fertility and high childlessness, with a slight rise in lifetime childlessness to 55.8% in 2023 and a marginal increase in the average maternal age to 27.35 years. While the total fertility rate remains well below replacement level, the average number of children per mother has held steady near 2.54, showing little change since last year.
- The total fertility rate decreased slightly to 0.442 in 2023, marking a continued decline from the previous year and remaining among the lowest globally and in Europe.
- Lifetime childlessness has increased by 1.3 percentage points to 55.8%, a notably high proportion compared to global and European averages.
- Average maternal age has risen by about four months to 27.35 years, though it remains the lowest among European countries.
- The share of mothers with three or more children increased modestly, contributing to a slight rise in the overall completed fertility rate to 45.8%.
In 2023, Albania exhibited the lowest fertility and maternal age indicators globally, reflecting a continuing decline in birth rates and changing family structures.
- Lowest total maternal reproduction rate worldwide (TMR)
- Lowest mean age at childbearing in Europe and globally
- Highest lifetime childlessness rate in Europe
- Rising average children per mother, despite overall fertility decline
- Very short societal half-life, indicating rapid generational turnover
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 stood at 44.2% in 2023, showing a slight decrease of 1.3 percentage points from 2022. The total motherhood prevalence rate has been on a downward trend during the five years from 2019 to 2023, averaging 48.7%. Compared to the 2010s average of 61.6%, the current level is approximately 17.4 percentage points lower. On the global scale, Albania holds the lowest TMR, ranked 38th out of 38 countries. Similarly, within Europe, it ranks last, 31st among 31 countries, in terms of motherhood prevalence.
| 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)
The number of children per mother in Albania reached 2.54 in 2023, showing minimal change from 2022's figure of 2.53. During the last five years, this metric has been on an upward trend, with an average value of 2.50. Compared to the decade average in the 2010s of 2.29, the current rate is approximately 0.25 higher.
| 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 27.4 years in 2023, marking an increase of 0.4 years from 2022. Over the last five years, this average has been steadily climbing, with a mean of 26.7 years during that period. Compared to the 2010s, the average maternal age is now 1.9 years higher. Albania has the lowest average maternal age both globally, ranking 38th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, where it stands at 31st out of 31.
| 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 reached 45.8%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.12. This marks a slight increase of 1.3 percentage points from the 2022 level. Childlessness has been on the rise over the last five years, with an average rate of 41.1% between 2019 and 2023. When compared to the 2010s average of 32.2%, the current figure is approximately 13.6 percentage points higher. Albania ranks lowest in this metric both globally, at 38th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, positioned 31st 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
The 2023 birth pattern projects a significant decline in total births, dropping from 22,739 to 11,370 by 2056, which represents a 50% decrease. This downward trend continues sharply, with births expected to fall by 75% in 2089 and reach a 90% reduction by 2133, lowering the number to just 2,274. These figures assume no influence from migration.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Albania's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 55.8% in 2023, showing a slight increase of 1.3 percentage points from 2022. The trend over the past five years indicates a rising pattern, with the average from 2019 to 2023 at 51.3%. This marks a substantial rise compared to the 2010s average of 38.4%, an increase of about 17.4 percentage points. Despite this growth, the country maintains the lowest childlessness rate globally, ranking 38th out of 38, as well as within Europe, where it holds the 31st position.
| 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 decrease from 23,647 in 2022. The number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average of 25,335 annually. When compared to the average for the 2010s, which was 29,090 births, this represents a decline of 6,351 births, or a 21.8% drop.
| 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) stood at 30.7% in 2023, marking a decrease of 2.9 percentage points from the previous year. The indicator has shown an upward trend over the last five years, averaging 29.6% between 2019 and 2023. This figure is approximately 4.5 percentage points higher than the average seen in the 2010s, which was 26.3%. Despite these gains, Albania holds the lowest BRI value globally, ranking 35th out of 35 countries, and similarly has the lowest ranking within Europe at 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.
