Albania: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Albania — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
2,866,376
#137 of 197 countries
Area
28,748 km²
#145 of 248 countries
Density
99.7 / km²
#112 of 245 countries

Albania has a population of 2,866,376 spread across 28,748 km², giving it an average density of 99.7 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
37.9
Life Expectancy
79.9 yrs
Literacy Rate
97.7%
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Albania is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 39% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$9,731
Cost of Living
39% of US
Inflation
4.8%
Inequality
29.4
Low
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$18,900
Unemployment
10.3%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 35.9% of Albania's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism Revenue
$1,243,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
35.9%
Outbound Tourists
2,907,000
Air Passengers
374,800
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Albania has 1.88 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
1.88/1k
Hospital Beds
2.9/1k
Health Spend
$591/person
Infant Mortality
8.3/1k
Immunization
81%
Safe Drinking Water
95.1%
Basic Sanitation
99.3%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Albania, 83% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 93 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
83.1%
Mobile Subs
93/100
Broadband
22.5/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data