Albania ranks among the countries with the highest percentage of housing overcrowding among young people, reflecting a serious social and economic challenge closely related to the real estate market and incomes, while becoming a driving factor for emigration.
According to the latest Eurostat data, for 2021 – the latest available for Albania – 70.3% of young Albanians (15–29 years old) live in overcrowded conditions, which means that a family does not have enough rooms in relation to the number of members.
This indicator ranks Albania in second place in Europe, after Montenegro (72.5% in 2022). In Serbia this figure is 60.8%, while in North Macedonia (2022) 43.4%. There is no data reported for Kosovo.
In stark contrast, the European Union average is only 26.5%, while in the euro area it drops to 22.7%, according to data that has been updated for 2024.
Northern and Western European countries show the lowest levels of youth housing overcrowding: the Netherlands only 4.3%, Finland 7.7%, Denmark 8.1% and Germany 10.5%. Also, developed Central European countries have significantly lower percentages than Albania, such as Austria with 12.7% or France with 12.5%.
Comparing these figures shows the large gap between Balkan countries and those in the EU, where housing standards for young people are significantly higher.
Central and Northern European countries have much lower levels: Sweden 29.8%, the Czech Republic 26.2% and Hungary only 23.6%.
A factor that fuels immigration
Housing overcrowding among young people in Albania is closely related to two factors: low incomes and high apartment prices.
Data previously published by Monitor based on Numbeo shows that Albania has the most expensive apartment prices in Europe in relation to purchasing power.
This makes it almost impossible for many young people to buy a home, forcing them to continue living in overcrowded conditions with their families.
Albania, with the most expensive apartment prices in Europe, according to purchasing power
In contrast, with high apartment prices, which in Tirana start at 1,500 euros per square meter, salaries continue to be the lowest in the European region. In Albania, the average gross monthly salary for 2024, according to INSTAT, reached 77.5 thousand lekë/month, or about 770 euros. However, salaries in Albania remain about 30% lower than in other countries in the region.
The combination of the inability to secure adequate housing and the lack of alternatives for independent living is one of the reasons that pushes many young people towards emigration.
Faced with an inaccessible domestic market and overcrowded conditions, many young Albanians see other European countries as a better opportunity for living, employment, and housing.
Other Eurostat data shows that from 2008 to 2024, around 1 million Albanians have obtained a residence permit for the first time in one of the European Union countries. Most of them are young people, who leave in search of a better life.
This reality makes it necessary for public policies to focus on creating more favorable conditions for housing young people.
Eurostat definition of overpopulation
The overcrowding rate is defined as the percentage of the population living in an overcrowded household. A person is considered to be living in overcrowded conditions if the dwelling does not have at least this number of rooms:
-a room for the family;
-one room for each couple in the family;
-one room for every single person over 18 years of age;
-one room for each pair of single persons of the same gender, aged 12–17 years;
-one room for each single person aged 12–17 who is not included in the previous category;
-one room for every two children under 12 years old.
Taken from Monitor.al
