Albania records more deaths than births in first quarter of 2026

Official data from Albania's Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) show a natural population decline in the first quarter of 2026. Between January and March, 5,146 newborns were registered while 5,514 deaths were recorded, resulting in a negative natural balance of 368 people.

Births rose slightly (1.0%) compared with the same period in 2025, and deaths fell 7.4%, but the overall surplus of deaths persisted. In 2025 the country had a modest positive natural increase of 1,147, after a larger decline the previous year, with total births down 3.3% and deaths down 3.2% for the whole year. The demographic map highlights Tirana as the sole major source of births, underscoring a growing regional disparity.

The figures signal an alarm for policymakers as Albania moves toward a sustained negative population growth trajectory.