Albania's population is facing rapid aging and significant shrinkage, mainly due to massive youth emigration. According to the latest CRCA report, "Youth in Albania 2025," only 22% of the population is made up of people aged 15-29.
Experts note that the desire of young people to emigrate remains very high, while the phenomenon of "brain drain" affects about 35% of Albanian students who study abroad.
Another major challenge is unemployment. The report highlights that the youth unemployment rate remains above the national average, with added obstacles from lack of experience and involvement in the informal sector, which make integration into the labor market difficult.
The social situation is also worrying. Sexual crimes committed by young people increased by 20.5% in 2024, while violence against girls remains an ongoing problem. The iSIGURT.al platform reported 407 cases of online abuse, an increase of 66.8% compared to 2023. Cyberbullying, hate speech and stalking are among the most widespread forms.
To address these challenges, experts recommend:
Development of vocational education and digital competencies;
Creating sustainable employment opportunities;
Strengthening policies to curb immigration;
Protecting girls and women from violence and abuse.
Meanwhile, in an international development, the US has recorded its lowest level of alcohol consumption in the last 90 years, according to a GALLUP poll. Experts explain this by a growing awareness of the harms that even "moderate" alcohol consumption brings.
