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Balkan demographics: Most regional nations see population decline since 1990
World Bank data indicates a significant demographic shift across the Balkan region, with seven out of ten countries experiencing population declines when comparing 1990 levels to projections for 2025.
Montenegro, Slovenia, and Greece are the only nations in the region showing population growth. Montenegro's increase is modest, rising from 606,372 in 1990 to an estimated 623,129 in 2025, a 2.8 percent increase. Slovenia and Greece saw larger gains, with increases of approximately 118,600 and 329,400 people, respectively.
Conversely, several countries have faced substantial losses. Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded the highest percentage decline, with its population projected to drop by 29.4 percent—from 4,448,652 in 1990 to 3,140,095 in 2025. Bulgaria saw the largest absolute decrease, losing roughly 1.54 million residents. Other notable declines occurred in Albania, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo.
Entities
Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Montenegro · Slovenia · World Bank
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Slovenia recorded a population increase of approximately 118,600 people. verige.net · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] Bosnia and Herzegovina's population is projected to decrease by 29.4 percent between 1990 and 2025. tvpljevlja.me · verige.net · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] World Bank data shows most Balkan states have fewer inhabitants in 2025 than in 1990. tvpljevlja.me · verige.net · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] Albania's population decreased by approximately 724,000 people. tvpljevlja.me · verige.net · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 2 SOURCES] Greece saw a population increase of approximately 329,400 people. verige.net · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] Montenegro, Slovenia, and Greece are the only three Balkan countries with higher populations in 2025 than in 1990. tvpljevlja.me · verige.net · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] Montenegro's population grew from 606,372 in 1990 to an estimated 623,129 in 2025. tvpljevlja.me · verige.net · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] Bulgaria recorded the largest absolute population loss, losing approximately 1.54 million people. tvpljevlja.me · verige.net · www.aktuelno.me