Albania is one of the Western Balkan countries with the highest proportion of its population at risk of poverty. Poverty is particularly prevalent in the rural areas of northern Albania, where the situation is much worse than in other parts of the country.
Albania is a small country in south-eastern Europe with a population of around 2.71 million. The economy grew steadily in 2025, mainly thanks to tourism, the construction sector and rising domestic demand. Politically, the country is seeking membership of the European Union. In the parliamentary elections in May 2025, the ruling Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, won by a clear margin – yet only just under half of those eligible to vote turned out, reflecting widespread mistrust of the political elite.
Poverty and social exclusion are significantly more widespread than the European average. Families with children, as well as the Roma and Egyptian communities, are particularly affected; they suffer from widespread discrimination – for example, in access to education, healthcare, housing and the justice system.
Violence against women and girls is a serious social problem: on average, more than 14 women and girls seek help every day due to domestic violence; in over 2,800 cases, victims applied for a court protection order; and eight people died in 2025 as a result of violence within the family.
The year 2025 was marked by significant legislative reforms. A new Equality Act strengthens protection against discrimination. In January 2026, a law against violence against women and girls was passed, which, for the first time, includes a separate chapter on digital violence – cyberstalking, online harassment and the unauthorised distribution of intimate images. The provisions on digital violence were largely drafted by IAMANEH’s partner organisation SICA (formerly CLWG). The Criminal Code is being reformed: in future, sexual violence is to be defined on the basis of a lack of consent. For the first time, the 2026 national budget allocates increased funding for support services.
Capital: Tirana / approx. 520,000 inhabitants
Population: 2.71 million (2024)
Population growth: −1.1% per year
Urban population: 64 per cent
Life expectancy: 79.6 years
Infant mortality: 8.3 per 1,000 live births
Maternal mortality: 8 per 100,000 births
Fertility rate: 1.35 births per woman
Youth unemployment: 27.8%
Femicide (2021–2023): 24 cases; 0.84 per 100,000 women; 63% committed by intimate partners (UNODC 2025)
Cyber violence against women: 41 per cent of women active online are affected
Our programs are supported by core contributions from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
