Albanian demographic crisis and territorial reform

Albania is experiencing a demographic crisis marked by rapid depopulation and an aging population, particularly in peripheral regions. Since 1989, the country has lost approximately one-quarter of its population, with the average age rising from 35.3 to 42.5 years. Data from the 2023 census indicates that 51 out of 61 municipalities are seeing population declines, leading experts to warn of a ‘geography of inequality’ that threatens social and economic stability.

In response to these trends, the Socialist Party has proposed a territorial reform to merge 15 small municipalities with larger ones. Subsequent analysis of the 2023 Census data reveals significant disparities in population distribution. Approximately 57% of the territory within Albanian municipalities is currently uninhabited. High levels of territorial vacancy are most prominent in Korça County, where over 80% of the area lacks residents, followed by Gjirokastra, Vlora, and Kukës. Conversely, Durrës shows the highest concentration of residents, with only 20.6% of its territory being uninhabited. This uneven distribution is expected to increase the costs of providing infrastructure, social services, and emergency administration in sparsely populated regions.