Albania's population has aged at the highest rates in Europe, the median age increased by 11 years

2024-06-03 07:22:00, Sociale CNA

Albania's population has aged at the highest rates in Europe, the median

Official data refer that Albania is still one of the countries with the youngest population in Europe, but during the last 20 years the rates of aging were the highest in Europe.

In 2023, the median age of Albanians was 38.8 years old (it means that 50% of the population is under this age and 50% is over this age). Comparable data from Eurostat indicates that the median age of Albanians increased by almost 11 years between 2003-2023, the highest level in Europe and with a very high difference to the aging of other European populations. (see attached chart)

After Albania, Portugal has the highest aging rates between 2003-2023 with 8.5 years, Romania with 8.5 years and North Macedonia with 8 years.

On the other hand, Sweden has maintained the stability of the age of its population, since during the past two decades the population of this country has aged by only 1 year, followed by Moldova, Luxembourg, and Belgium where the average age of their population has increased less than two years from 2003-2023.

In 2023, the countries with the oldest population in Europe were Italy, where the median age of the population was 48.4 years old, up from 41 years old in 2003, followed by Portugal, where the median age was 47 years old, Bulgaria, 46.8 years old, and Greece, 46.5 years old. .

Since the fall of communism, Albania has faced a strong demographic upheaval that continues at high rates in the fourth decade of the democratic order. The growing cycle of immigration together with the decline in fertility rates have aged Albania faster than countries with similar political and economic conditions.

The aging of the country's population is not accompanied by measures to mitigate the consequences of the phenomenon. Labor shortages have already become so severe that even the public sector is suffering for employees, at a time when the lack of young people risks worsening the quality of life in the country.

Among other things, Albania has among the highest rates of emigration of educated people in the country. The decrease in the number of students in many branches is leaving the country without experts in many fields, from the public sectors of education and health to the wing workers without knowledge and skills

In the longer term, the increase in the number of elderly people will weigh on public spending, inhibit economic growth and put pressure on the health and insurance systems./ Monitor Magazine