TIRANA, Feb 15 – The number of births and natural population increase in Albania declined during 2019, compared to the previous year. According to data published by the Albanian Institute of Statistics on Thursday, “during 2019, a total of 28,561 babies were born, down by 1.3 percent compared to 2018. The natural population increase which includes the births to deaths ratio, also marked a decrease by 7.1 percent compared to the previous year.”
Only four districts in Albania recorded an increase in the number of births during 2019, while the birth rate in eight other districts declined significantly. According to INSTAT, the district of Tirana recorded the largest number of births, with a total of 9,321 births, which is linked to the high concentration of population in the capital city, according to analysts. On the other hand, the smallest number of births was recorded in the Gjirokastra district, with a total of 506 births, mainly due to the immigration of a large part of the population from the area. While full data for all districts is not available, INSTAT reported that the largest percentage increase in births in 2019 was recorded is in Kukes, precisely by 15.9 percent.
“Albania is characterized by a positive natural growth, where births continue to exceed deaths, and the gross natural increase rate, unlike most other European Union countries, is positive,” INSTAT highlighted. According to the Report, “Albania’s RNI coefficient is 2.5, which is higher than some countries in the region such as Montenegro (1.2), North Macedonia (0.8) and Serbia (-5.4).” Kosovo’s RNI coefficient on the other hand is 10.3 per thousand inhabitants, making it the highest in the region.
The decline in births and natural population growth in Albania, year after year, is seen as a worrying phenomenon by demographic researchers. They have constantly warned that the country is in a “demographic emergency” and have sought intervention measures, especially to curb immigration and improve the economic and social conditions of Albanian families.
At the end of 2018, the Albanian government decided to increase the childbirth allowance by 40,000 lek for the birth of the first child, 80,000 lek for the birth of the second child and 120,000 lek for the birth of the third child.
