Albania with fewer young people, an extraordinary cost for the country

Youth Day found Albania with fewer young people.

According to the 2023 Census, the dependency ratio of young people has currently dropped to 24% from 30.4% that was in the 2011 census, while the ratio of the elderly has increased in this period by 13.7%.

The detailed data also show the age groups that have experienced the most significant fluctuations over the years.

When the 2011 census was conducted, over 268,000 young people aged 15-19 were counted across the country, but in the 2023 census, their number was almost halved. This age group has had the biggest decline in the period between the censuses, both in number and percentage. This clearly shows that the number of young people in Albania is falling rapidly and is explained by the high emigration of young people and families with children after 2016.

But what are the reasons for young people leaving the country?

Problems with the labor market, reflected in low wages and inappropriate working conditions; the high costs of education, as well as the lack of perspective are considered the main factors of young people's emigration.

And this continuous and unstoppable emigration has enormous costs for the country.

It is estimated that for each evicted person, the damage caused to the economy is estimated at 14,900 euros.

But the consequences go even further.

They are reflected in the labor market with a shortage of labor and a decrease in the productivity and competitiveness of the economy. (A2 Televizion)