Albania and North Macedonia face climate and demographic challenges

In Albania, approximately 374,000 children under the age of 15 are facing increasing risks from rising temperatures caused by climate change. A study identifies children aged 0-9 as the most vulnerable group to heat stress. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, children aged 0-14 make up 15.6% of the country's population. UNICEF's Children's Climate Risk Index ranks Albania 84th out of 163 countries, noting high exposure to climate shocks like heatwaves and floods, despite a moderate overall risk level due to existing basic services.

Meanwhile, North Macedonia is experiencing a deepening demographic crisis. Recent data shows a significant decline in live births and a negative natural increase in most municipalities, meaning deaths are outnumbering births. In several regions, including Tetovo, Gostivar, and Kumanovo, birth rates have dropped significantly compared to 2021. Cities such as Manastir, Aerodrom, and Prilep have reported notable negative natural growth rates, highlighting a widespread trend of population decline across the country.