The number of births in the first trimester of 2022 marked a sharp drop, resulting in e negative natural growth balance.

For the period from January-March 2022, around 6 000 babies were born, 4.2% less than the same period a year ago.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths for the first trimester of 2022 was around 8 000.

According to INSTAT, this accounts for a total of 1 882 more deaths than births for the first 3 months of 2022.

Tirana is the county with the majority of births and along with Kukes it is the only county where the number of deaths wasn’t higher than the number of births for this time period.

In comparison, Korca and Fier, is where deaths exceeded births the most.

In 2021, Albania reported a negative natural growth rate for the first time. Last year, there were over 3 000 more deaths than births.

Births, deaths and natural growth

Year               Births               Deaths                   Natural growth

2017              30,869              22,232                           8,637

2018              28,934              21,804                           7,130

2019              28,561              21,937                           6,624

2020              28,075              27,605                              470

2021              27,284              30,580                         (3,296)